Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Yaounde Cost of Living Comparison Between Maroua and Yaounde

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $371 in Maroua versus $829 in Yaounde.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $542 in Maroua versus $1,260 in Yaounde.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $714 in Maroua versus $1,690 in Yaounde.

Living in Maroua costs roughly 55% less than in Yaounde, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maroua 73% lower, Yaounde 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 FCFA 2,033

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.7 FCFA 30.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.25 FCFA 2,959

Cappuccino

$2.04 FCFA 1,150

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

$1.53 FCFA 860

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 FCFA 304

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.24 FCFA 701

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 FCFA 990

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 FCFA 1,006

$3.80 FCFA 2,142

-53.16%

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 FCFA 477

$1.11 FCFA 628

-23.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.95 FCFA 1,664

$1.32 FCFA 746

123.48%

Eggs

$5.92 FCFA 3,334

$2.16 FCFA 1,216

174.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.43 FCFA 3,060

$14.28 FCFA 8,049

-61.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.33 FCFA 3,006

$6.03 FCFA 3,401

-11.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.50 FCFA 1,973

$6.77 FCFA 3,818

-48.30%

Apples (1kg)

$1.76 FCFA 991

$5.26 FCFA 2,964

-66.54%

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 484

$2.11 FCFA 1,189

-59.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 483

$2.17 FCFA 1,225

-60.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.81 FCFA 1,022

$1.47 FCFA 828

23.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 FCFA 1,506

$1.69 FCFA 953

57.99%

Onion (1kg)

$1.74 FCFA 983

$1.44 FCFA 810

20.83%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 FCFA 633

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 FCFA 488

$0.68 FCFA 385

27.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.73 FCFA 976

Wine (Bottle)

$11.28 FCFA 6,359

$8.96 FCFA 5,051

25.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 FCFA 508

$1.42 FCFA 801

-36.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 FCFA 1,019

$2.04 FCFA 1,152

-11.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 FCFA 340

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.94 FCFA 10.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.64 FCFA 359

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.43 FCFA 242

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.23 FCFA 3,514

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 FCFA 832

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

$33.6K FCFA 18.9M

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

$22.3K FCFA 12.6M

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

$53.0 FCFA 29.9K

$82.1 FCFA 46.3K

-35.43%

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

$8.66 FCFA 4,881

$18.00 FCFA 10.1K

-51.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.9 FCFA 29.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.96 FCFA 10.1K

$24.24 FCFA 13.7K

-25.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.80 FCFA 1,015

$7.33 FCFA 4,129

-75.44%

Cinema Ticket

$8.66 FCFA 4,879

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

$642 FCFA 361.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,469 FCFA 1.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.46 FCFA 9,841

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.15 FCFA 15.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$26.92 FCFA 15.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.6 FCFA 32.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$147 FCFA 82.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$89.3 FCFA 50.3K

$191 FCFA 107.6K

-53.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$411 FCFA 231.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$160 FCFA 90.1K

$217 FCFA 122.3K

-26.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$888 FCFA 500.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$621 FCFA 349.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 FCFA 108.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Maroua: September 1, 2026

Last update for Yaounde: August 29, 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 Yaounde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Maroua is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 124% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $556 in Maroua and $1,243 in Yaounde 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 34% higher in Yaounde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $371 per month in Maroua versus $829 in Yaounde – a 124% 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 124% less than in Yaounde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.