Cost of Living Comparison Between Cameroon and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Cameroon and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

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
$3.88 FCFA 2,190
$19.83 $19.83
-80.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.8 FCFA 49.6K
$78.8 $78.8
11.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.23 FCFA 3,520
$12.19 $12.19
-48.89%
Cappuccino
$1.97 FCFA 1,113
$5.59 $5.59
-64.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 FCFA 979
$2.78 $2.78
-37.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 FCFA 359
$2.18 $2.18
-70.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.27 FCFA 719
$5.86 $5.86
-78.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 FCFA 985
$8.02 $8.02
-78.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.98 FCFA 1,682
$1.07 $1.07
178.50%
White Bread (500g)
$0.75 FCFA 421
$3.68 $3.68
-79.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 FCFA 1,046
$4.66 $4.66
-60.30%
Eggs
$2.14 FCFA 1,210
$4.20 $4.20
-49.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.12 FCFA 8,541
$12.78 $12.78
18.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.45 FCFA 3,081
$12.40 $12.40
-56.05%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.10 FCFA 3,447
$16.90 $16.90
-63.91%
Apples (1kg)
$3.69 FCFA 2,085
$5.23 $5.23
-29.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.32 FCFA 744
$1.66 $1.66
-20.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 FCFA 918
$4.33 $4.33
-62.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.51 FCFA 855
$4.96 $4.96
-69.56%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 FCFA 1,255
$2.82 $2.82
-21.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.72 FCFA 973
$3.11 $3.11
-44.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.77 FCFA 435
$2.19 $2.19
-64.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74 FCFA 420
$2.26 $2.26
-67.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.73 FCFA 978
$10.35 $10.35
-83.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.60 FCFA 4,858
$14.81 $14.81
-41.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43 FCFA 810
$2.09 $2.09
-31.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 FCFA 1,116
$3.65 $3.65
-45.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Cameroon
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.83 FCFA 469
$2.38 $2.38
-65.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.89 FCFA 10.1K
$64.5 $64.5
-72.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.63 FCFA 356
$3.54 $3.54
-82.20%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.51 FCFA 287
$1.86 $1.86
-72.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 FCFA 3,512
$30.34 $30.34
-79.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 FCFA 829
$1.00 $1.00
47.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.6K FCFA 17.8M
$35.5K $35.5K
-11.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.0K FCFA 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)
$151 FCFA 85.2K
$222 $222
-32.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.85 FCFA 13.5K
$61.1 $61.1
-60.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$134 FCFA 75.7K
$74.7 $74.7
79.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.08 FCFA 15.9K
$44.49 $44.49
-36.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.86 FCFA 3,312
$22.35 $22.35
-73.78%
Cinema Ticket
$9.11 FCFA 5,149
$15.03 $15.03
-39.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$539 FCFA 304.7K
$1,431 $1,431
-62.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,477 FCFA 2.0M
$25.9K $25.9K
-86.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.3 FCFA 36.9K
$53.6 $53.6
21.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.9 FCFA 36.6K
$43.46 $43.46
49.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$142 FCFA 80.4K
$91.5 $91.5
55.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126 FCFA 71.4K
$114 $114
11.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cameroon
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$358 FCFA 202.2K
$1,633 $1,633
-78.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$152 FCFA 85.7K
$1,328 $1,328
-88.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$841 FCFA 475.0K
$2,606 $2,606
-67.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$280 FCFA 158.3K
$2,206 $2,206
-87.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,045 FCFA 1.2M
$3,323 $3,323
-38.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$972 FCFA 549.1K
$2,653 $2,653
-63.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$153 FCFA 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.

Cameroon vs other spots: cost of living compared

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