Cost of Living Comparison Between Bamenda and Maroua Cost of Living Comparison Between Bamenda and Maroua

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $696 per month in Bamenda vs $357 in Maroua, rent included.

A couple spends around $934 per month in Bamenda vs $528 in Maroua, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,171 per month in Bamenda vs $699 in Maroua, rent included.

Bamenda costs about 95% more than Maroua, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Bamenda and Maroua are more affordable than the global median – Bamenda 49% lower, Maroua 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.38 FCFA 3,077

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.47 FCFA 3,694

Cappuccino

$1.15 FCFA 658

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 FCFA 983

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.66 FCFA 378

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.61 FCFA 917

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 FCFA 988

Milk (1 liter)

$2.97 FCFA 1,699

$1.80 FCFA 1,031

65.00%

White Bread (500g)

$0.84 FCFA 481

$0.87 FCFA 496

-3.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 FCFA 1,193

$3.01 FCFA 1,721

-30.56%

Eggs

$2.98 FCFA 1,706

$5.85 FCFA 3,344

-49.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.38 FCFA 3,076

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.73 FCFA 2,131

$5.16 FCFA 2,951

-27.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.91 FCFA 2,804

$3.46 FCFA 1,978

41.91%

Apples (1kg)

$2.58 FCFA 1,473

$1.81 FCFA 1,035

42.54%

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 FCFA 521

$0.90 FCFA 516

1.11%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.20 FCFA 686

$0.86 FCFA 491

39.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 FCFA 786

$1.80 FCFA 1,026

-23.33%

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 FCFA 1,764

$2.58 FCFA 1,473

19.77%

Onion (1kg)

$1.55 FCFA 885

$1.80 FCFA 1,030

-13.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.83 FCFA 476

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 FCFA 419

$0.91 FCFA 521

-19.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.80 FCFA 1,029

Wine (Bottle)

$10.08 FCFA 5,762

$11.27 FCFA 6,440

-10.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 FCFA 826

$0.84 FCFA 478

72.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 FCFA 1,020

$1.74 FCFA 996

2.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.34 FCFA 766

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.33 FCFA 5,334

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.60 FCFA 341

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 FCFA 346

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.63 FCFA 3,220

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 FCFA 827

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$178 FCFA 101.6K

$51.9 FCFA 29.6K

242.77%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$30.39 FCFA 17.4K

$8.68 FCFA 4,961

250.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.88 FCFA 21.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.96 FCFA 10.3K

$17.66 FCFA 10.1K

1.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.74 FCFA 995

Cinema Ticket

$8.96 FCFA 5,118

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$179 FCFA 102.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.27 FCFA 15.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 FCFA 24.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.75 FCFA 27.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.7 FCFA 30.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$69.6 FCFA 39.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$35.89 FCFA 20.5K

$88.8 FCFA 50.7K

-59.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 FCFA 90.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$97.5 FCFA 55.7K

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bamenda: September 14, 2026

Last update for Maroua: September 12, 2026

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

Bamenda vs Maroua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $696 in Bamenda, $357 in Maroua – roughly 95% apart. Bamenda costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,044 per month in Bamenda and $535 in Maroua. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $696 in Bamenda and $357 in Maroua. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Bamenda – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $696 in Bamenda and $357 in Maroua, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Maroua – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Maroua. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bamenda makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.