Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Bamenda Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Bamenda

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $357 per month in Maroua vs $696 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $528 per month in Maroua vs $934 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $699 per month in Maroua vs $1,171 in Bamenda, rent included.

Maroua is about 49% cheaper than Bamenda, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Maroua and Bamenda are more affordable than the global median – Maroua 74% lower, Bamenda 49% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.38 FCFA 3,077

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.47 FCFA 3,694

Cappuccino

$1.15 FCFA 658

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

$1.72 FCFA 983

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.66 FCFA 378

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.61 FCFA 917

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 FCFA 988

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 FCFA 1,031

$2.97 FCFA 1,699

-39.39%

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 FCFA 496

$0.84 FCFA 481

3.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.01 FCFA 1,721

$2.09 FCFA 1,193

44.02%

Eggs

$5.85 FCFA 3,344

$2.98 FCFA 1,706

96.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.38 FCFA 3,076

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.16 FCFA 2,951

$3.73 FCFA 2,131

38.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 FCFA 1,978

$4.91 FCFA 2,804

-29.53%

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 FCFA 1,035

$2.58 FCFA 1,473

-29.84%

Banana (1kg)

$0.90 FCFA 516

$0.91 FCFA 521

-1.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 491

$1.20 FCFA 686

-28.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.80 FCFA 1,026

$1.38 FCFA 786

30.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.58 FCFA 1,473

$3.09 FCFA 1,764

-16.50%

Onion (1kg)

$1.80 FCFA 1,030

$1.55 FCFA 885

16.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.83 FCFA 476

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 FCFA 521

$0.73 FCFA 419

24.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.80 FCFA 1,029

Wine (Bottle)

$11.27 FCFA 6,440

$10.08 FCFA 5,762

11.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 FCFA 478

$1.45 FCFA 826

-42.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 FCFA 996

$1.79 FCFA 1,020

-2.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.34 FCFA 766

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.33 FCFA 5,334

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.60 FCFA 341

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 FCFA 346

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.63 FCFA 3,220

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 FCFA 827

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

$51.9 FCFA 29.6K

$178 FCFA 101.6K

-70.83%

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

$8.68 FCFA 4,961

$30.39 FCFA 17.4K

-71.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.88 FCFA 21.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.66 FCFA 10.1K

$17.96 FCFA 10.3K

-1.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.74 FCFA 995

Cinema Ticket

$8.96 FCFA 5,118

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

$179 FCFA 102.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.27 FCFA 15.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 FCFA 24.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.75 FCFA 27.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.7 FCFA 30.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$69.6 FCFA 39.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$88.8 FCFA 50.7K

$35.89 FCFA 20.5K

147.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 FCFA 90.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$97.5 FCFA 55.7K

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

Last update for Maroua: September 12, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: September 14, 2026

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

Maroua vs Bamenda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $357 in Maroua, $696 in Bamenda – roughly 95% apart. Bamenda costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $535 per month in Maroua and $1,044 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $357 in Maroua and $696 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Bamenda – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $357 in Maroua and $696 in Bamenda, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Maroua – 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 Maroua. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bamenda makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.