Cost of Living Comparison Between Douala and Bamenda Cost of Living Comparison Between Douala and Bamenda

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,636 per month in Douala vs $335 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,621 per month in Douala vs $525 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,606 per month in Douala vs $715 in Bamenda, rent included.

Douala costs about 388% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Douala sits 22% above the global median, while Bamenda is 75% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.02 FCFA 5,062

$1.72 FCFA 964

424.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$126 FCFA 70.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.15 FCFA 2,890

$6.24 FCFA 3,499

-17.47%

Cappuccino

$1.89 FCFA 1,062

$0.87 FCFA 486

117.24%

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

$1.68 FCFA 941

$0.52 FCFA 291

223.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 FCFA 467

$0.33 FCFA 187

151.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.18 FCFA 660

$1.26 FCFA 709

-6.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.66 FCFA 1,492

$1.74 FCFA 978

52.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.90 FCFA 1,627

$2.69 FCFA 1,510

7.81%

White Bread (500g)

$0.45 FCFA 250

$0.65 FCFA 364

-30.77%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 FCFA 1,258

$0.95 FCFA 534

135.79%

Eggs

$1.91 FCFA 1,069

$3.15 FCFA 1,766

-39.37%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.75 FCFA 12.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.72 FCFA 4,329

$4.42 FCFA 2,479

74.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.58 FCFA 3,690

$5.31 FCFA 2,976

23.92%

Apples (1kg)

$4.94 FCFA 2,773

$2.63 FCFA 1,476

87.83%

Banana (1kg)

$2.10 FCFA 1,177

$0.91 FCFA 512

130.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.09 FCFA 1,171

$0.73 FCFA 411

186.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 FCFA 762

$0.90 FCFA 503

51.11%

Potato (1kg)

$3.38 FCFA 1,897

$1.42 FCFA 797

138.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.24 FCFA 1,256

$1.04 FCFA 586

115.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 FCFA 408

$0.56 FCFA 312

30.36%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 FCFA 375

$0.69 FCFA 389

-2.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.59 FCFA 2,011

$1.39 FCFA 777

158.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.32 FCFA 4,669

$7.31 FCFA 4,101

13.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 FCFA 758

$1.33 FCFA 747

1.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 FCFA 1,092

$1.37 FCFA 767

42.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.65 FCFA 362

$1.81 FCFA 1,013

-64.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.48 FCFA 9,807

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.55 FCFA 306

$0.43 FCFA 241

27.91%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 FCFA 426

$0.31 FCFA 172

145.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.19 FCFA 4,592

$6.11 FCFA 3,426

34.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 FCFA 768

$1.32 FCFA 741

3.79%

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

$31.0K FCFA 17.4M

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

$16.0K FCFA 9.0M

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

$170 FCFA 95.2K

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

$25.96 FCFA 14.6K

$17.74 FCFA 9,948

46.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$182 FCFA 101.9K

$34.53 FCFA 19.4K

426.01%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.43 FCFA 13.1K

$8.91 FCFA 4,996

162.96%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.47 FCFA 1,948

Cinema Ticket

$8.60 FCFA 4,822

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

$530 FCFA 297.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,540 FCFA 2.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$81.1 FCFA 45.5K

$26.85 FCFA 15.1K

202.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.3 FCFA 39.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$142 FCFA 79.4K

$43.64 FCFA 24.5K

224.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 FCFA 86.0K

$62.3 FCFA 35.0K

145.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$915 FCFA 513.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$585 FCFA 328.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,889 FCFA 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,129 FCFA 633.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,108 FCFA 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,005 FCFA 563.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$163 FCFA 91.6K

$107 FCFA 60.1K

52.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.21

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

Last update for Douala: April 25, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 53% higher in Douala, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Douala vs Bamenda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,636 in Douala, $335 in Bamenda – roughly 388% apart. Douala costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,454 per month in Douala and $503 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,636 in Douala and $335 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 82% more in Douala, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bamenda, where all-in costs run around $335, than in Douala at $1,636. In Bamenda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Douala it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Bamenda – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Bamenda. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Douala makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.