Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Buea Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Buea

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $350 in Maroua versus $545 in Buea.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $518 in Maroua versus $795 in Buea.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $686 in Maroua versus $1,045 in Buea.

Living in Maroua costs roughly 36% less than in Buea, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maroua 74% lower, Buea 59% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 FCFA 1,020

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.09 FCFA 3,436

Cappuccino

$2.13 FCFA 1,199

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

$1.27 FCFA 715

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.50 FCFA 281

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 FCFA 587

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.40 FCFA 787

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 FCFA 1,012

$3.03 FCFA 1,710

-40.92%

White Bread (500g)

$0.92 FCFA 518

$0.38 FCFA 216

142.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.94 FCFA 1,658

$1.58 FCFA 890

86.08%

Eggs

$2.85 FCFA 1,608

$2.58 FCFA 1,455

10.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.25 FCFA 2,961

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.20 FCFA 2,934

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.45 FCFA 1,946

$4.38 FCFA 2,472

-21.23%

Apples (1kg)

$1.74 FCFA 979

$3.44 FCFA 1,937

-49.42%

Banana (1kg)

$0.92 FCFA 521

$1.39 FCFA 786

-33.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.90 FCFA 506

$0.86 FCFA 485

4.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.81 FCFA 1,020

$1.44 FCFA 813

25.69%

Potato (1kg)

$2.70 FCFA 1,523

$1.80 FCFA 1,018

50.00%

Onion (1kg)

$1.71 FCFA 963

$1.40 FCFA 788

22.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 FCFA 513

$0.72 FCFA 407

26.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.56 FCFA 6,522

$8.89 FCFA 5,013

30.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 FCFA 502

$1.27 FCFA 718

-29.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 FCFA 1,015

$1.73 FCFA 976

4.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.27 FCFA 154

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.46 FCFA 260

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.16 FCFA 2,910

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 FCFA 680

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

$19.3K FCFA 10.9M

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

$21.3K FCFA 12.0M

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

$52.5 FCFA 29.6K

$60.8 FCFA 34.3K

-13.66%

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

$8.99 FCFA 5,069

$17.66 FCFA 9,959

-49.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$109 FCFA 61.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.58 FCFA 9,913

$26.32 FCFA 14.8K

-33.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.74 FCFA 984

$4.30 FCFA 2,425

-59.53%

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

$613 FCFA 345.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.45 FCFA 20.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 FCFA 39.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$71.9 FCFA 40.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$88.0 FCFA 49.6K

$61.7 FCFA 34.8K

42.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$161 FCFA 90.6K

$213 FCFA 120.2K

-24.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$132 FCFA 74.3K

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

Last update for Maroua: May 31, 2026

Last update for Buea: May 31, 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 Buea: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Maroua and Buea differ by about 56% in total monthly costs ($350 vs $545 including rent). Maroua is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $526 in Maroua and $818 in Buea to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Shoppers in Buea pay roughly 26% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $350 per month in Maroua versus $545 in Buea – a 56% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Maroua gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Maroua gentler on the wallet – expenses run 56% less than in Buea. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.