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: $350 in Maroua versus $725 in Yaounde.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $518 in Maroua versus $1,195 in Yaounde.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $686 in Maroua versus $1,665 in Yaounde.

Living in Maroua costs roughly 52% less than in Yaounde, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maroua 74% lower, Yaounde 46% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.87 FCFA 2,769

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.99 FCFA 25.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.80 FCFA 3,298

Cappuccino

$2.59 FCFA 1,474

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

$1.48 FCFA 840

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 FCFA 394

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.17 FCFA 667

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 FCFA 978

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 FCFA 1,021

$2.83 FCFA 1,612

-36.75%

White Bread (500g)

$0.92 FCFA 522

$0.99 FCFA 563

-7.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.94 FCFA 1,673

$1.11 FCFA 629

164.86%

Eggs

$2.85 FCFA 1,623

$1.83 FCFA 1,042

55.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.25 FCFA 2,987

$13.96 FCFA 7,944

-62.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.20 FCFA 2,960

$6.32 FCFA 3,596

-17.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.45 FCFA 1,963

$5.98 FCFA 3,401

-42.31%

Apples (1kg)

$1.74 FCFA 988

$4.63 FCFA 2,636

-62.42%

Banana (1kg)

$0.92 FCFA 526

$2.10 FCFA 1,192

-56.19%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.90 FCFA 510

$2.06 FCFA 1,171

-56.31%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.81 FCFA 1,029

$1.19 FCFA 677

52.10%

Potato (1kg)

$2.70 FCFA 1,537

$1.61 FCFA 913

67.70%

Onion (1kg)

$1.71 FCFA 972

$1.46 FCFA 829

17.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.57 FCFA 327

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 FCFA 518

$1.00 FCFA 567

-9.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.73 FCFA 986

Wine (Bottle)

$11.56 FCFA 6,579

$8.78 FCFA 4,994

31.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 FCFA 507

$1.23 FCFA 700

-27.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 FCFA 1,024

$1.60 FCFA 913

12.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 FCFA 339

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.76 FCFA 10.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.65 FCFA 368

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.38 FCFA 217

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 FCFA 3,184

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 FCFA 767

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

$33.1K FCFA 18.8M

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

$16.2K FCFA 9.2M

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

$52.5 FCFA 29.9K

$79.3 FCFA 45.1K

-33.86%

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

$8.99 FCFA 5,113

$21.48 FCFA 12.2K

-58.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.79 FCFA 26.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.58 FCFA 10,000

$26.01 FCFA 14.8K

-32.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.74 FCFA 992

$7.26 FCFA 4,128

-76.03%

Cinema Ticket

$6.54 FCFA 3,722

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

$346 FCFA 196.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,832 FCFA 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.69 FCFA 9,495

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.83 FCFA 13.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.67 FCFA 11.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$58.2 FCFA 33.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$153 FCFA 86.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$88.0 FCFA 50.1K

$118 FCFA 67.1K

-25.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$503 FCFA 286.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$161 FCFA 91.4K

$256 FCFA 145.8K

-37.31%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$887 FCFA 504.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$626 FCFA 356.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$189 FCFA 107.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Maroua: May 31, 2026

Last update for Yaounde: June 1, 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 107% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $526 in Maroua and $1,088 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 31% higher in Yaounde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $350 per month in Maroua versus $725 in Yaounde – a 107% 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 107% less than in Yaounde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.