🙂A single person spends $848 per month in Cameroon vs $2,626 in United States, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,373 per month in Cameroon vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,898 per month in Cameroon vs $5,033 in United States, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Cameroon is roughly 68% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Cameroon sits 39% below the global median, while United States is 90% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏The regional cost range is wider in United States ($986–$5,298) than in Cameroon ($363–$1,406), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.88FCFA 2,190
$19.83$19.83
-80.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.8FCFA 49.6K
$78.8$78.8
11.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.23FCFA 3,520
$12.19$12.19
-48.89%
Cappuccino
$1.97FCFA 1,113
$5.59$5.59
-64.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73FCFA 979
$2.78$2.78
-37.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64FCFA 359
$2.18$2.18
-70.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.27FCFA 719
$5.86$5.86
-78.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74FCFA 985
$8.02$8.02
-78.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.98FCFA 1,682
$1.07$1.07
178.50%
White Bread(500g)
$0.75FCFA 421
$3.68$3.68
-79.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85FCFA 1,046
$4.66$4.66
-60.30%
Eggs
$2.14FCFA 1,210
$4.20$4.20
-49.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.12FCFA 8,541
$12.78$12.78
18.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.45FCFA 3,081
$12.40$12.40
-56.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.10FCFA 3,447
$16.90$16.90
-63.91%
Apples(1kg)
$3.69FCFA 2,085
$5.23$5.23
-29.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.32FCFA 744
$1.66$1.66
-20.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62FCFA 918
$4.33$4.33
-62.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.51FCFA 855
$4.96$4.96
-69.56%
Potato(1kg)
$2.22FCFA 1,255
$2.82$2.82
-21.28%
Onion(1kg)
$1.72FCFA 973
$3.11$3.11
-44.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.77FCFA 435
$2.19$2.19
-64.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74FCFA 420
$2.26$2.26
-67.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.73FCFA 978
$10.35$10.35
-83.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.60FCFA 4,858
$14.81$14.81
-41.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43FCFA 810
$2.09$2.09
-31.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98FCFA 1,116
$3.65$3.65
-45.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Cameroon
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.83FCFA 469
$2.38$2.38
-65.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.89FCFA 10.1K
$64.5$64.5
-72.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.63FCFA 356
$3.54$3.54
-82.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.51FCFA 287
$1.86$1.86
-72.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.22FCFA 3,512
$30.34$30.34
-79.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.47FCFA 829
$1.00$1.00
47.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.6KFCFA 17.8M
$35.5K$35.5K
-11.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.0KFCFA 10.2M
$25.9K$25.9K
-30.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151FCFA 85.2K
$222$222
-32.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.85FCFA 13.5K
$61.1$61.1
-60.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$134FCFA 75.7K
$74.7$74.7
79.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.08FCFA 15.9K
$44.49$44.49
-36.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.86FCFA 3,312
$22.35$22.35
-73.78%
Cinema Ticket
$9.11FCFA 5,149
$15.03$15.03
-39.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$539FCFA 304.7K
$1,431$1,431
-62.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,477FCFA 2.0M
$25.9K$25.9K
-86.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.3FCFA 36.9K
$53.6$53.6
21.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.9FCFA 36.6K
$43.46$43.46
49.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$142FCFA 80.4K
$91.5$91.5
55.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126FCFA 71.4K
$114$114
11.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cameroon
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$358FCFA 202.2K
$1,633$1,633
-78.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152FCFA 85.7K
$1,328$1,328
-88.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$841FCFA 475.0K
$2,606$2,606
-67.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$280FCFA 158.3K
$2,206$2,206
-87.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,045FCFA 1.2M
$3,323$3,323
-38.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$972FCFA 549.1K
$2,653$2,653
-63.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$153FCFA 86.4K
$4,306$4,306
-96.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.96
6.21
205.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cameroon: September 8, 2026
Last update for United States: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $113 in Cameroon vs $1,604 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $148 in Yaounde and $1,360 in Columbia, TN.
💰Average salary: $165 in Cameroon vs $4,526 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 1319% higher in United States.
⭐Public transport is 170% more expensive in United States.
⭐Salaries are 2643% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.
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
Cameroon vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cameroon more expensive than United States?
Cameroon is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 255% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Cameroon, contributing to the overall 255% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Cameroon or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Cameroon, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Cameroon or to United States?
Cameroon is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.