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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $352 per month in Maroua vs $348 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $513 per month in Maroua vs $525 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $675 per month in Maroua vs $703 in Bamenda, rent included.

Maroua costs about 1% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 FCFA 1,022

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.11 FCFA 3,450

Cappuccino

$0.86 FCFA 486

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

$0.52 FCFA 291

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 FCFA 205

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.26 FCFA 709

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 FCFA 1,014

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 FCFA 1,015

$2.60 FCFA 1,468

-30.77%

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 FCFA 479

$0.64 FCFA 364

32.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.94 FCFA 1,659

$0.99 FCFA 556

196.97%

Eggs

$2.72 FCFA 1,535

$3.15 FCFA 1,780

-13.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.36 FCFA 3,026

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.43 FCFA 3,064

$4.45 FCFA 2,514

22.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.59 FCFA 2,025

$5.42 FCFA 3,058

-33.76%

Apples (1kg)

$1.80 FCFA 1,014

$2.70 FCFA 1,526

-33.33%

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 487

$0.90 FCFA 507

-4.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.84 FCFA 475

$0.68 FCFA 385

23.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.78 FCFA 1,004

$0.89 FCFA 504

100.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 FCFA 1,505

$1.42 FCFA 803

88.03%

Onion (1kg)

$1.79 FCFA 1,013

$1.08 FCFA 608

65.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 FCFA 329

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.92 FCFA 517

$0.69 FCFA 392

33.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.39 FCFA 785

Wine (Bottle)

$11.62 FCFA 6,557

$8.86 FCFA 5,003

31.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 FCFA 482

$1.36 FCFA 766

-37.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 FCFA 1,004

$1.39 FCFA 786

28.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.79 FCFA 1,010

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.46 FCFA 259

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 FCFA 187

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.26 FCFA 3,534

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 FCFA 740

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

$53.3 FCFA 30.1K

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

$9.00 FCFA 5,079

$17.43 FCFA 9,839

-48.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.01 FCFA 19.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.34 FCFA 9,790

$8.98 FCFA 5,066

93.10%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.78 FCFA 1,003

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.76 FCFA 15.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.70 FCFA 25.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.5 FCFA 35.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$87.7 FCFA 49.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$160 FCFA 90.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$107 FCFA 60.5K

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

Last update for Maroua: June 14, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: June 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: $352 in Maroua, $348 in Bamenda – roughly 1% apart. Maroua costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $528 per month in Maroua and $521 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $352 in Maroua and $348 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 16% more in Maroua, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $352 in Maroua and $348 in Bamenda, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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, Maroua makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.