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 $630 per month in Cameroon vs $2,642 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $963 per month in Cameroon vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,295 per month in Cameroon vs $5,072 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Cameroon is roughly 76% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Cameroon sits 53% below the global median, while United States is 98% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335$5,182) than in Cameroon ($87.0$1,675), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.21 FCFA 2,982
$19.63 $19.63
-73.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 FCFA 67.3K
$75.4 $75.4
55.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.20 FCFA 2,980
$11.57 $11.57
-55.06%
Cappuccino
$1.76 FCFA 1,006
$5.22 $5.22
-66.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 FCFA 867
$2.49 $2.49
-39.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 FCFA 381
$2.06 $2.06
-67.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.16 FCFA 667
$5.91 $5.91
-80.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 FCFA 1,480
$7.13 $7.13
-63.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.78 FCFA 1,593
$1.09 $1.09
155.05%
White Bread (500g)
$0.66 FCFA 378
$3.56 $3.56
-81.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.58 FCFA 906
$4.74 $4.74
-66.67%
Eggs
$1.92 FCFA 1,103
$4.34 $4.34
-55.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.44 FCFA 8,847
$12.68 $12.68
21.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 FCFA 3,269
$12.28 $12.28
-53.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.83 FCFA 3,339
$16.60 $16.60
-64.88%
Apples (1kg)
$3.45 FCFA 1,977
$5.16 $5.16
-33.14%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 FCFA 903
$1.70 $1.70
-7.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 FCFA 928
$4.45 $4.45
-63.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.41 FCFA 810
$4.80 $4.80
-70.63%
Potato (1kg)
$1.97 FCFA 1,130
$2.93 $2.93
-32.76%
Onion (1kg)
$1.57 FCFA 901
$3.09 $3.09
-49.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 FCFA 367
$2.22 $2.22
-71.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 FCFA 436
$2.25 $2.25
-66.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.80 FCFA 1,031
$9.90 $9.90
-81.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.43 FCFA 4,832
$15.28 $15.28
-44.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 FCFA 750
$1.91 $1.91
-31.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81 FCFA 1,038
$3.58 $3.58
-49.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Cameroon
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.80 FCFA 461
$2.46 $2.46
-67.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.57 FCFA 10.1K
$64.6 $64.6
-72.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.54 FCFA 312
$3.77 $3.77
-85.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 FCFA 269
$1.71 $1.71
-72.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.02 FCFA 3,448
$30.08 $30.08
-79.99%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.38 FCFA 793
$0.96 $0.96
43.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9K FCFA 17.7M
$29.9K $29.9K
3.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.9K FCFA 9.1M
$26.1K $26.1K
-39.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$146 FCFA 83.8K
$210 $210
-30.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.55 FCFA 13.5K
$56.3 $56.3
-58.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$132 FCFA 75.9K
$72.9 $72.9
81.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.88 FCFA 13.1K
$45.39 $45.39
-49.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.73 FCFA 2,709
$21.60 $21.60
-78.10%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59 FCFA 3,775
$14.04 $14.04
-53.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$526 FCFA 301.6K
$1,377 $1,377
-61.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,469 FCFA 2.0M
$22.4K $22.4K
-84.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.3 FCFA 38.0K
$52.7 $52.7
25.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.6 FCFA 34.7K
$42.41 $42.41
42.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$140 FCFA 80.1K
$91.8 $91.8
52.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129 FCFA 73.9K
$114 $114
13.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cameroon
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$793 FCFA 454.1K
$1,765 $1,765
-55.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$473 FCFA 270.8K
$1,462 $1,462
-67.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,727 FCFA 989.4K
$2,849 $2,849
-39.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$826 FCFA 473.0K
$2,369 $2,369
-65.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,000 FCFA 1.1M
$3,364 $3,364
-40.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$983 FCFA 563.0K
$2,665 $2,665
-63.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cameroon
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$162 FCFA 92.6K
$4,378 $4,378
-96.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
19.04
6.51
192.47%

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

Last update for Cameroon: July 11, 2026

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $193 in Cameroon vs $1,635 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $149 in Yaounde and $1,625 in Washington, MI.

Average salary: $158 in Cameroon vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 747% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 204% more in United States.

Public transport is 178% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 2748% 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 270% 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 270% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Cameroon or in United States?
$2,500 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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