🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $987 in Bafoussam versus $1,380 in Douala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,675 in Bafoussam versus $2,235 in Douala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,363 in Bafoussam versus $3,089 in Douala.
🌍Living in Bafoussam costs roughly 29% less than in Douala, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Bafoussam is 28% below, Douala is 1% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.50FCFA 2,525
$4.45FCFA 2,495
1.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$122FCFA 68.2K
$122FCFA 68.6K
-0.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.13FCFA 3,999
$7.01FCFA 3,929
1.71%
Cappuccino
$2.23FCFA 1,249
$2.13FCFA 1,194
4.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71FCFA 959
$1.65FCFA 923
3.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86FCFA 483
$0.87FCFA 488
-1.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.25FCFA 703
$1.22FCFA 684
2.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59FCFA 1,453
$2.60FCFA 1,459
-0.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.79FCFA 1,562
$2.92FCFA 1,639
-4.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.42FCFA 233
$0.45FCFA 250
-6.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.23FCFA 1,250
$2.25FCFA 1,263
-0.89%
Eggs
$1.98FCFA 1,112
$1.91FCFA 1,072
3.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$23.15FCFA 13.0K
$22.74FCFA 12.8K
1.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.74FCFA 4,341
$7.87FCFA 4,412
-1.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.40FCFA 3,590
$6.65FCFA 3,728
-3.76%
Apples(1kg)
$4.92FCFA 2,759
$4.70FCFA 2,633
4.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07FCFA 1,161
$2.06FCFA 1,158
0.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06FCFA 1,158
$2.18FCFA 1,221
-5.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37FCFA 767
$1.38FCFA 776
-0.72%
Potato(1kg)
$3.32FCFA 1,862
$3.46FCFA 1,939
-4.05%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17FCFA 1,216
$2.26FCFA 1,265
-3.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.79FCFA 445
$0.74FCFA 417
6.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64FCFA 357
$0.69FCFA 386
-7.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.56FCFA 1,998
$3.61FCFA 2,022
-1.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.09FCFA 5,099
$9.02FCFA 5,058
0.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46FCFA 821
$1.50FCFA 844
-2.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87FCFA 1,046
$1.80FCFA 1,007
3.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.68FCFA 384
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$17.55FCFA 9,840
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.63FCFA 355
$0.64FCFA 361
-1.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.86FCFA 481
$0.84FCFA 472
2.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.44FCFA 4,734
$8.62FCFA 4,832
-2.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49FCFA 838
$1.50FCFA 842
-0.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3KFCFA 17.6M
$31.1KFCFA 17.5M
0.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.9KFCFA 8.9M
$16.1KFCFA 9.0M
-1.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$167FCFA 93.7K
$168FCFA 94.4K
-0.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.00FCFA 14.6K
$26.63FCFA 14.9K
-2.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$181FCFA 101.4K
$184FCFA 103.1K
-1.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$42.49FCFA 23.8K
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.67FCFA 4,862
$8.66FCFA 4,857
0.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$536FCFA 300.8K
$529FCFA 296.5K
1.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,523FCFA 2.0M
$3,494FCFA 2.0M
0.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.5FCFA 46.2K
$83.5FCFA 46.8K
-1.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.0FCFA 39.2K
$68.5FCFA 38.4K
2.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$144FCFA 80.9K
$145FCFA 81.5K
-0.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$153FCFA 86.1K
$154FCFA 86.3K
-0.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$515FCFA 288.8K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$316FCFA 177.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,679FCFA 941.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$642FCFA 360.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,100FCFA 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,007FCFA 564.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$215FCFA 120.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19.04
19.04
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bafoussam: August 15, 2026
Last update for Douala: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $122 in Bafoussam vs $122 in Douala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $283 vs $285 per month, with Bafoussam cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bafoussam vs Douala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bafoussam or Douala?
Bafoussam wins on cost – living expenses run 40% lower than in Douala. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bafoussam the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bafoussam and in Douala?
You'd need roughly $1,480 in Bafoussam and $2,070 in Douala to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do childcare costs compare in Bafoussam and in Douala?
Childcare runs $536 in Bafoussam versus $529 in Douala. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Bafoussam and in Douala?
Dining out is cheaper in Bafoussam – a meal for two runs $122 versus $122 in Douala. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bafoussam or in Douala?
At $987 in Bafoussam versus $1,380 in Douala, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Bafoussam but tight or insufficient in Douala. The gap between the two cities makes Bafoussam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Bafoussam or Douala?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Bafoussam compared to Douala?
Safety-wise, Bafoussam and Douala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bafoussam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% less than in Douala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.