🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $71.6 in Bafoussam versus $1,636 in Douala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $98.0 in Bafoussam versus $2,621 in Douala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $125 in Bafoussam versus $3,606 in Douala.
🙂Living in Bafoussam costs roughly 96% less than in Douala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Bafoussam is 95% below, Douala is 22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$9.02FCFA 5,056
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$126FCFA 70.3K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.15FCFA 2,886
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.89FCFA 1,061
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.68FCFA 940
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.83FCFA 466
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.18FCFA 659
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.66FCFA 1,490
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$2.90FCFA 1,625
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$0.45FCFA 250
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.24FCFA 1,257
-
Eggs
-
$1.91FCFA 1,068
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$22.75FCFA 12.7K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$7.72FCFA 4,324
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$6.58FCFA 3,686
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$4.94FCFA 2,770
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.10FCFA 1,176
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.09FCFA 1,169
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.36FCFA 761
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$3.38FCFA 1,894
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.24FCFA 1,255
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.73FCFA 407
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.67FCFA 375
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.59FCFA 2,009
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$8.32FCFA 4,663
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.35FCFA 757
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.95FCFA 1,091
-
🚌 Getting Around
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.65FCFA 362
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$17.48FCFA 9,796
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.55FCFA 306
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.76FCFA 426
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.19FCFA 4,587
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.37FCFA 767
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$31.0KFCFA 17.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$16.0KFCFA 9.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$170FCFA 95.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$25.96FCFA 14.5K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$182FCFA 101.8K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$23.43FCFA 13.1K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.47FCFA 1,946
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$8.60FCFA 4,817
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$530FCFA 297.0K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$3,540FCFA 2.0M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$81.1FCFA 45.4K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$70.3FCFA 39.4K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$142FCFA 79.3K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$153FCFA 85.9K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$106FCFA 59.4K
$915FCFA 512.4K
-88.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$71.7FCFA 40.1K
$585FCFA 328.0K
-87.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$266FCFA 148.8K
$1,889FCFA 1.1M
-85.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$122FCFA 68.4K
$1,129FCFA 632.6K
-89.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,108FCFA 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,005FCFA 563.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$163FCFA 91.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
19.21
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bafoussam: April 25, 2026
Last update for Douala: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $106 in Bafoussam and $915 in Douala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
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 2186% 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 vs Douala?
You'd need roughly $107 in Bafoussam and $2,454 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bafoussam vs Douala?
Rent for a central apartment: $106 in Bafoussam versus $915 in Douala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bafoussam or Douala?
At $71.6 in Bafoussam versus $1,636 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 2186% less than in Douala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.