🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $70.7 in Bafoussam versus $1,650 in Douala.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $98.0 in Bafoussam versus $2,654 in Douala.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $125 in Bafoussam versus $3,658 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 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$8.77FCFA 4,954
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$125FCFA 70.8K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.34FCFA 3,016
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.82FCFA 1,030
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.64FCFA 927
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.79FCFA 448
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.13FCFA 637
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.58FCFA 1,456
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$2.81FCFA 1,589
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$0.45FCFA 251
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.31FCFA 1,307
-
Eggs
-
$2.02FCFA 1,139
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$22.79FCFA 12.9K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$7.72FCFA 4,362
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$6.63FCFA 3,744
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$4.86FCFA 2,742
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.09FCFA 1,183
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.16FCFA 1,217
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.36FCFA 767
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$3.33FCFA 1,879
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.17FCFA 1,227
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.79FCFA 447
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.62FCFA 352
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.47FCFA 1,958
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$8.57FCFA 4,840
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.42FCFA 800
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.95FCFA 1,099
-
🚌 Getting Around
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.68FCFA 385
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$17.61FCFA 9,946
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.56FCFA 314
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.75FCFA 425
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.46FCFA 4,780
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.44FCFA 814
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$30.3KFCFA 17.1M
-
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)
-
$167FCFA 94.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$26.57FCFA 15.0K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$185FCFA 104.6K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$23.91FCFA 13.5K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.63FCFA 2,051
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$8.71FCFA 4,921
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$534FCFA 301.4K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$3,478FCFA 2.0M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$81.3FCFA 45.9K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$68.9FCFA 38.9K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$143FCFA 80.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$155FCFA 87.7K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$106FCFA 60.0K
$927FCFA 523.8K
-88.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$71.2FCFA 40.2K
$592FCFA 334.5K
-87.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$268FCFA 151.5K
$1,895FCFA 1.1M
-85.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$124FCFA 70.1K
$1,132FCFA 639.5K
-89.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,065FCFA 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$988FCFA 557.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bafoussam
Douala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$162FCFA 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: June 9, 2026
Last update for Douala: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $106 in Bafoussam and $927 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 2234% 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 $106 in Bafoussam and $2,476 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 $927 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 $70.7 in Bafoussam versus $1,650 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 2234% less than in Douala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.