Cost of Living Comparison Between Bafoussam and Douala Cost of Living Comparison Between Bafoussam and Douala

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $964 in Bafoussam versus $1,335 in Douala.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,669 in Bafoussam versus $2,178 in Douala.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,374 in Bafoussam versus $3,022 in Douala.

Living in Bafoussam costs roughly 28% less than in Douala, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bafoussam 29% lower, Douala 1% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.28 FCFA 2,493
$4.20 FCFA 2,449
1.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$120 FCFA 70.1K
$121 FCFA 70.3K
-0.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.81 FCFA 3,968
$7.01 FCFA 4,080
-2.85%
Cappuccino
$2.17 FCFA 1,263
$2.07 FCFA 1,207
4.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 FCFA 958
$1.70 FCFA 989
-2.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 FCFA 462
$0.78 FCFA 453
1.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.24 FCFA 723
$1.22 FCFA 713
1.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 FCFA 1,484
$2.64 FCFA 1,537
-3.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.95 FCFA 1,715
$2.93 FCFA 1,707
0.68%
White Bread (500g)
$0.43 FCFA 251
$0.44 FCFA 254
-2.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.18 FCFA 1,271
$2.25 FCFA 1,312
-3.11%
Eggs
$1.95 FCFA 1,135
$1.92 FCFA 1,116
1.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.41 FCFA 13.0K
$22.38 FCFA 13.0K
0.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.90 FCFA 4,603
$7.67 FCFA 4,467
3.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.28 FCFA 3,656
$6.30 FCFA 3,670
-0.32%
Apples (1kg)
$4.67 FCFA 2,718
$4.64 FCFA 2,704
0.65%
Banana (1kg)
$2.10 FCFA 1,225
$2.05 FCFA 1,194
2.44%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 FCFA 1,180
$2.14 FCFA 1,244
-5.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.39 FCFA 810
$1.41 FCFA 822
-1.42%
Potato (1kg)
$3.38 FCFA 1,966
$3.38 FCFA 1,967
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.15 FCFA 1,252
$2.15 FCFA 1,252
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.77 FCFA 449
$0.71 FCFA 416
8.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 FCFA 370
$0.67 FCFA 388
-5.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65 FCFA 1,543
$2.57 FCFA 1,497
3.11%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.81 FCFA 5,130
$8.90 FCFA 5,183
-1.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51 FCFA 878
$1.50 FCFA 874
0.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 FCFA 1,015
$1.78 FCFA 1,034
-2.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.62 FCFA 361
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$17.09 FCFA 9,954
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.60 FCFA 348
$0.63 FCFA 366
-4.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.91 FCFA 531
$0.86 FCFA 501
5.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.40 FCFA 4,893
$8.26 FCFA 4,811
1.69%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.44 FCFA 839
$1.47 FCFA 856
-2.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K FCFA 17.5M
$30.7K FCFA 17.9M
-2.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.7K FCFA 9.1M
$15.7K FCFA 9.2M
-0.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 FCFA 95.9K
$165 FCFA 96.3K
-0.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.17 FCFA 15.2K
$26.09 FCFA 15.2K
0.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$181 FCFA 105.7K
$178 FCFA 103.4K
2.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$41.02 FCFA 23.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.78 FCFA 5,112
$8.41 FCFA 4,899
4.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$521 FCFA 303.7K
$520 FCFA 302.8K
0.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,410 FCFA 2.0M
$3,359 FCFA 2.0M
1.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.6 FCFA 47.5K
$81.4 FCFA 47.4K
0.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.4 FCFA 39.8K
$67.9 FCFA 39.5K
0.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$140 FCFA 81.5K
$139 FCFA 80.9K
0.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$151 FCFA 87.9K
$150 FCFA 87.1K
0.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$575 FCFA 334.8K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$328 FCFA 191.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,324 FCFA 770.9K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$559 FCFA 325.7K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,017 FCFA 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$965 FCFA 562.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$229 FCFA 133.2K
-
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: September 26, 2026

Last update for Douala: September 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $120 in Bafoussam vs $121 in Douala. Groceries flip the comparison at $281 vs $280, with Douala cheaper for home cooking.

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 38% 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 $1,446 in Bafoussam and $2,002 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 $521 in Bafoussam versus $520 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 $120 versus $121 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 $964 in Bafoussam versus $1,335 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 38% less than in Douala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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