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: $544 in Buea versus $70.7 in Bafoussam.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $804 in Buea versus $98.0 in Bafoussam.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,064 in Buea versus $125 in Bafoussam.

Living in Buea is roughly 669% more expensive than Bafoussam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Buea 60% lower, Bafoussam 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.78 FCFA 1,003

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.33 FCFA 3,576

Cappuccino

$2.21 FCFA 1,245

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

$1.26 FCFA 709

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 FCFA 301

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 FCFA 583

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.39 FCFA 785

Milk (1 liter)

$3.07 FCFA 1,736

White Bread (500g)

$0.41 FCFA 233

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 FCFA 926

Eggs

$2.58 FCFA 1,455

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.35 FCFA 2,458

Apples (1kg)

$3.46 FCFA 1,952

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 FCFA 807

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 484

Tomato (1kg)

$1.40 FCFA 789

Potato (1kg)

$1.74 FCFA 982

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 FCFA 782

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 FCFA 420

Wine (Bottle)

$8.66 FCFA 4,888

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 FCFA 680

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 FCFA 976

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.25 FCFA 140

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.49 FCFA 277

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.17 FCFA 2,918

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 FCFA 673

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

$19.6K FCFA 11.1M

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

$20.9K FCFA 11.8M

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

$62.1 FCFA 35.0K

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

$17.80 FCFA 10.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$112 FCFA 63.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.37 FCFA 14.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.50 FCFA 2,542

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

$608 FCFA 343.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.07 FCFA 19.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.9 FCFA 40.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$69.2 FCFA 39.1K

$106 FCFA 60.0K

-34.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$61.6 FCFA 34.8K

$71.2 FCFA 40.2K

-13.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$268 FCFA 151.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$213 FCFA 120.3K

$124 FCFA 70.1K

71.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$133 FCFA 75.2K

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

Last update for Buea: June 8, 2026

Last update for Bafoussam: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $69.2 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 669% 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 $816 in Buea and $106 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: $69.2 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 669% less than in Buea. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.