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: $349 in Maroua versus $736 in Yaounde.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $509 in Maroua versus $1,190 in Yaounde.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $670 in Maroua versus $1,644 in Yaounde.

Living in Maroua costs roughly 53% less than in Yaounde, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maroua 74% lower, Yaounde 45% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.89 FCFA 2,806

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.62 FCFA 25.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 FCFA 3,246

Cappuccino

$2.73 FCFA 1,566

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

$1.43 FCFA 819

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.66 FCFA 379

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.16 FCFA 664

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 FCFA 1,005

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 FCFA 1,033

$2.86 FCFA 1,641

-37.06%

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 FCFA 489

$1.02 FCFA 583

-16.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.99 FCFA 1,715

$1.11 FCFA 635

169.37%

Eggs

$2.87 FCFA 1,647

$1.79 FCFA 1,028

60.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.27 FCFA 3,024

$14.15 FCFA 8,123

-62.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.37 FCFA 3,085

$6.11 FCFA 3,510

-12.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 FCFA 1,984

$5.89 FCFA 3,382

-41.26%

Apples (1kg)

$1.77 FCFA 1,017

$4.62 FCFA 2,651

-61.69%

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 FCFA 494

$2.08 FCFA 1,192

-58.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.91 FCFA 523

$2.06 FCFA 1,183

-55.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.79 FCFA 1,027

$1.24 FCFA 711

44.35%

Potato (1kg)

$2.61 FCFA 1,496

$1.67 FCFA 958

56.29%

Onion (1kg)

$1.74 FCFA 998

$1.45 FCFA 832

20.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.57 FCFA 328

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 FCFA 498

$1.01 FCFA 578

-13.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.72 FCFA 987

Wine (Bottle)

$11.15 FCFA 6,403

$8.63 FCFA 4,954

29.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 FCFA 488

$1.28 FCFA 734

-33.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 FCFA 1,004

$1.55 FCFA 891

12.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.61 FCFA 349

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.38 FCFA 9,981

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.60 FCFA 346

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 FCFA 240

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.78 FCFA 3,319

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 FCFA 772

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

$33.6K FCFA 19.3M

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

$15.6K FCFA 9.0M

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

$52.0 FCFA 29.8K

$78.6 FCFA 45.1K

-33.84%

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

$9.04 FCFA 5,190

$21.11 FCFA 12.1K

-57.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.48 FCFA 27.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.33 FCFA 9,948

$26.58 FCFA 15.3K

-34.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.81 FCFA 1,038

$7.21 FCFA 4,140

-74.90%

Cinema Ticket

$6.66 FCFA 3,826

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

$335 FCFA 192.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,827 FCFA 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.31 FCFA 9,364

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.04 FCFA 13.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.51 FCFA 11.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$58.0 FCFA 33.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$149 FCFA 85.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$87.1 FCFA 50.0K

$121 FCFA 69.4K

-27.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$498 FCFA 285.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$157 FCFA 90.1K

$252 FCFA 144.5K

-37.63%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$866 FCFA 497.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$614 FCFA 352.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$184 FCFA 105.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Maroua: July 13, 2026

Last update for Yaounde: July 13, 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 111% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $523 in Maroua and $1,104 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 32% higher in Yaounde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $349 per month in Maroua versus $736 in Yaounde – a 111% 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 111% less than in Yaounde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.