Cost of Living Comparison Between Buea and Bafoussam Cost of Living Comparison Between Buea and Bafoussam

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $555 in Buea versus $71.6 in Bafoussam.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $802 in Buea versus $98.0 in Bafoussam.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,049 in Buea versus $125 in Bafoussam.

Living in Buea is roughly 675% more expensive than Bafoussam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Buea 59% lower, Bafoussam 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 FCFA 1,013

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.34 FCFA 3,554

Cappuccino

$2.16 FCFA 1,210

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

$1.27 FCFA 710

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 FCFA 273

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 FCFA 581

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 FCFA 800

Milk (1 liter)

$3.03 FCFA 1,702

White Bread (500g)

$0.38 FCFA 216

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 FCFA 920

Eggs

$2.57 FCFA 1,443

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.30 FCFA 2,414

Apples (1kg)

$3.58 FCFA 2,008

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 FCFA 803

Oranges (1kg)

$0.85 FCFA 476

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 FCFA 776

Potato (1kg)

$1.81 FCFA 1,013

Onion (1kg)

$1.44 FCFA 808

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 FCFA 418

Wine (Bottle)

$8.92 FCFA 5,002

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 FCFA 704

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 FCFA 1,009

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.25 FCFA 140

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.46 FCFA 260

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.27 FCFA 2,957

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 FCFA 664

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.4K FCFA 10.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.1K FCFA 11.8M

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

$62.8 FCFA 35.2K

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

$17.38 FCFA 9,746

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$111 FCFA 62.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.57 FCFA 14.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.29 FCFA 2,405

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

$626 FCFA 350.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.46 FCFA 19.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.2 FCFA 39.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$71.7 FCFA 40.2K

$106 FCFA 59.5K

-32.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$61.0 FCFA 34.2K

$71.7 FCFA 40.2K

-14.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 FCFA 149.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$210 FCFA 117.7K

$122 FCFA 68.4K

71.98%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$136 FCFA 76.4K

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

Last update for Buea: April 27, 2026

Last update for Bafoussam: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $71.7 in Buea and $106 in Bafoussam. 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

Buea vs Bafoussam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bafoussam wins on cost – living expenses run 675% lower than in Buea. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bafoussam the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $832 in Buea and $107 in Bafoussam 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $71.7 in Buea versus $106 in Bafoussam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Bafoussam gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Buea and Bafoussam are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Bafoussam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 675% less than in Buea. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.