With heat stress as a notable climate-related challenge in Africa, the need to limit heat exposure and enhance adaptation becomes important. Behavioural responses and heat-resistant characteristics of residential buildings are key aspects of exposure and adaptation to heat stress. We report a study that investigates heat exposure and adaptation responses across two neighbourhoods of different socio-economic status in Akure, Nigeria. The study involved a survey of 70 residents in each of the neighbourhoods. The study shows differences and commonalities in personal behavioural responses to heat stress, further revealing that education (p < 0.000), household income (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.002) were significant predictors of behavioural responses. Heat-resistant features in dwellings in both neighbourhoods were also identified. The poorer neighbourhood was more disadvantaged in this regard as their housing features did not completely prevent heat exposure. People in the richer neighbourhood, much more than the poorer one, were able to include features such as A/C, ceramic tiles, shady plants to cope with heat. These findings highlight intra-urban inequality in heat exposure and adaptation. They show the need for initiatives towards improved awareness and comprehensive retrofitting of dwellings to enhance their heat-resistant capacity.A