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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,650 per month in Douala vs $342 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,654 per month in Douala vs $526 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,658 per month in Douala vs $711 in Bamenda, rent included.

Douala costs about 383% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Douala sits 23% above the global median, while Bamenda is 75% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.77 FCFA 4,954

$1.79 FCFA 1,013

389.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$125 FCFA 70.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.34 FCFA 3,016

$6.04 FCFA 3,413

-11.59%

Cappuccino

$1.82 FCFA 1,030

$0.89 FCFA 504

104.49%

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

$1.64 FCFA 927

$0.50 FCFA 285

228.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 FCFA 448

$0.36 FCFA 205

119.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.13 FCFA 637

$1.31 FCFA 742

-13.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 FCFA 1,456

$1.72 FCFA 974

50.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.81 FCFA 1,589

$2.71 FCFA 1,532

3.69%

White Bread (500g)

$0.45 FCFA 251

$0.64 FCFA 359

-29.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.31 FCFA 1,307

$0.99 FCFA 560

133.33%

Eggs

$2.02 FCFA 1,139

$3.28 FCFA 1,852

-38.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.79 FCFA 12.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.72 FCFA 4,362

$4.37 FCFA 2,467

76.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.63 FCFA 3,744

$5.33 FCFA 3,008

24.39%

Apples (1kg)

$4.86 FCFA 2,742

$2.62 FCFA 1,482

85.50%

Banana (1kg)

$2.09 FCFA 1,183

$0.90 FCFA 506

132.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 FCFA 1,217

$0.73 FCFA 410

195.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 FCFA 767

$0.91 FCFA 517

49.45%

Potato (1kg)

$3.33 FCFA 1,879

$1.38 FCFA 777

141.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 FCFA 1,227

$1.08 FCFA 608

100.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.79 FCFA 447

$0.55 FCFA 312

43.64%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 FCFA 352

$0.68 FCFA 387

-8.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.47 FCFA 1,958

$1.38 FCFA 782

151.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.57 FCFA 4,840

$8.95 FCFA 5,057

-4.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 FCFA 800

$1.30 FCFA 734

9.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 FCFA 1,099

$1.38 FCFA 781

41.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 FCFA 385

$1.72 FCFA 974

-60.47%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.61 FCFA 9,946

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.56 FCFA 314

$0.43 FCFA 241

30.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.75 FCFA 425

$0.33 FCFA 189

127.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.46 FCFA 4,780

$6.00 FCFA 3,390

41.00%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 FCFA 814

$1.31 FCFA 742

9.92%

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

$30.3K FCFA 17.1M

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)

$167 FCFA 94.1K

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

$26.57 FCFA 15.0K

$17.56 FCFA 9,918

51.31%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$185 FCFA 104.6K

$34.13 FCFA 19.3K

442.87%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.91 FCFA 13.5K

$9.07 FCFA 5,120

163.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.63 FCFA 2,051

Cinema Ticket

$8.71 FCFA 4,921

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

$534 FCFA 301.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,478 FCFA 2.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$81.3 FCFA 45.9K

$26.97 FCFA 15.2K

201.30%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.9 FCFA 38.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$143 FCFA 80.5K

$44.67 FCFA 25.2K

219.16%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$155 FCFA 87.7K

$61.9 FCFA 35.0K

150.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$927 FCFA 523.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$592 FCFA 334.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,895 FCFA 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,132 FCFA 639.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,065 FCFA 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$988 FCFA 557.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$162 FCFA 91.5K

$106 FCFA 59.9K

52.82%

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: June 8, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: June 9, 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: $1,650 in Douala, $342 in Bamenda – roughly 383% apart. Douala costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,476 per month in Douala and $513 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,650 in Douala and $342 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 78% 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 $342, than in Douala at $1,650. 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.