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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $346 per month in Maroua vs $335 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $518 per month in Maroua vs $525 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $689 per month in Maroua vs $715 in Bamenda, rent included.

Maroua costs about 3% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Maroua and Bamenda are more affordable than the global median – Maroua 74% lower, Bamenda 75% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.72 FCFA 964

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.24 FCFA 3,499

Cappuccino

$0.87 FCFA 486

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

$0.52 FCFA 291

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 FCFA 187

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.26 FCFA 709

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 FCFA 978

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 FCFA 1,001

$2.69 FCFA 1,510

-33.83%

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 FCFA 484

$0.65 FCFA 364

32.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.97 FCFA 1,668

$0.95 FCFA 534

212.63%

Eggs

$2.75 FCFA 1,541

$3.15 FCFA 1,766

-12.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.45 FCFA 3,054

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.20 FCFA 2,916

$4.42 FCFA 2,479

17.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.45 FCFA 1,933

$5.31 FCFA 2,976

-35.03%

Apples (1kg)

$1.80 FCFA 1,009

$2.63 FCFA 1,476

-31.56%

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 FCFA 512

Oranges (1kg)

$0.89 FCFA 500

$0.73 FCFA 411

21.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.72 FCFA 967

$0.90 FCFA 503

91.11%

Potato (1kg)

$2.68 FCFA 1,503

$1.42 FCFA 797

88.73%

Onion (1kg)

$1.79 FCFA 1,005

$1.04 FCFA 586

72.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 FCFA 312

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 FCFA 506

$0.69 FCFA 389

30.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.39 FCFA 777

Wine (Bottle)

$11.73 FCFA 6,580

$7.31 FCFA 4,101

60.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 FCFA 477

$1.33 FCFA 747

-36.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 FCFA 997

$1.37 FCFA 767

29.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.81 FCFA 1,013

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.43 FCFA 241

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.31 FCFA 172

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.11 FCFA 3,426

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 FCFA 741

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

$52.0 FCFA 29.2K

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

$9.05 FCFA 5,073

$17.74 FCFA 9,948

-48.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.53 FCFA 19.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.57 FCFA 9,855

$8.91 FCFA 4,996

97.19%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.78 FCFA 1,001

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.85 FCFA 15.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$43.64 FCFA 24.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.3 FCFA 35.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$87.0 FCFA 48.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$158 FCFA 88.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$107 FCFA 60.1K

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

Last update for Maroua: April 27, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: April 25, 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: $346 in Maroua, $335 in Bamenda – roughly 3% apart. Maroua costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $519 per month in Maroua 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 $346 in Maroua and $335 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 18% 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 $346 in Maroua and $335 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.