Subjective quality of life (QOL) assessment is able to reveal deficits that are obscure and probably difficult to appreciate on objective social and clinical evaluation. Such findings are valuable in planning the rehabilitative need of schizophrenic patients in the community. The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life of schizophrenic outpatients, and compare it with that of diabetic outpatients. Also to identify socio-demographic and clinical variables that may be associated with subjective QOL. The study was conducted at the out-patient clinic of the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Sokoto, and the diabetic clinic of Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. It was a cross-sectional design. Data were collected on clinic days over a 4-month period. The diagnosis of schizophrenia conformed to ICD-10 criteria and was confirmed by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I PLUS), while diagnosis of diabetes conformed to WHO criteria. The comparison of subjective QOL was made using the generic WHOQOL–BREF questionnaire, while a questionnaire designed by the author was used in collecting data on socio-demographic and clinical variables. Data analysis was done using a statistical software package, (SPSS Version 13). Levels of significance were set at p<0.05. The socio-demographic characteristics of the 125 schizophrenic and 125 diabetic patients studied were similar, and both groups reported good QOL in all life areas. However, schizophrenics were more likely to be single, unemployed, and earn lower income. On comparing subjective satisfaction in QOL of schizophrenic and diabetic respondents, similar levels of satisfaction on all domains were observed. However, schizophrenic patients had poorer rating in social and environmental domains, while diabetic patients had poorer rating in physical domain. No significant difference was observed in subjective quality of life in the psychological domain between schizophrenic and diabetic respondents. This study found that the subjective QOL was adversely affected by adverse socio-demographic variables such as unemployment, low income, not having a spouse, and female gender. The subjective QOL was also affected by presence of clinical variables such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, side effects of medications, and illness duration of more than five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation and psycho-educational programmes focus more on alleviating difficulties in these areas, e.g. social skills training and occupational therapy for schizophrenics.