Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cameroon Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Cameroon

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $630 in Cameroon, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $963 in Cameroon, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,295 in Cameroon, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 319% higher than in Cameroon on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Cameroon is 53% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335$5,182) than in Cameroon ($87.0$1,675), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$5.21 FCFA 2,986
276.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$118 FCFA 67.4K
-35.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$5.20 FCFA 2,983
122.50%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$1.76 FCFA 1,007
196.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.51 FCFA 868
64.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.66 FCFA 381
212.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$1.16 FCFA 668
409.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$2.58 FCFA 1,482
176.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.78 FCFA 1,594
-60.79%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$0.66 FCFA 378
439.39%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$1.58 FCFA 907
200.00%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$1.92 FCFA 1,104
126.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$15.44 FCFA 8,856
-17.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$5.71 FCFA 3,273
115.06%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$5.83 FCFA 3,342
184.73%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$3.45 FCFA 1,979
49.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.58 FCFA 904
7.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$1.62 FCFA 929
174.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$1.41 FCFA 811
240.43%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$1.97 FCFA 1,132
48.73%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$1.57 FCFA 902
96.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.64 FCFA 368
246.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.76 FCFA 437
196.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$1.80 FCFA 1,032
450.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$8.43 FCFA 4,838
81.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.31 FCFA 751
45.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$1.81 FCFA 1,039
97.79%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cameroon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.80 FCFA 461
207.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$17.57 FCFA 10.1K
267.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$0.54 FCFA 312
598.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$0.47 FCFA 270
263.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$6.02 FCFA 3,452
399.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.38 FCFA 794
-30.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$30.9K FCFA 17.7M
-3.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$15.9K FCFA 9.1M
64.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$146 FCFA 83.9K
43.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$23.55 FCFA 13.5K
139.02%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$132 FCFA 75.9K
-44.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$22.88 FCFA 13.1K
98.38%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$4.73 FCFA 2,712
356.66%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$6.59 FCFA 3,779
113.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$526 FCFA 301.9K
161.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$3,469 FCFA 2.0M
544.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$66.3 FCFA 38.0K
-20.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$60.6 FCFA 34.8K
-30.04%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$140 FCFA 80.2K
-34.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$129 FCFA 74.0K
-12.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cameroon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$793 FCFA 454.6K
122.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$473 FCFA 271.1K
209.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$1,727 FCFA 990.5K
64.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$826 FCFA 473.5K
187.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$2,000 FCFA 1.1M
68.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$983 FCFA 563.6K
171.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$162 FCFA 92.7K
2608.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
19.04
-65.81%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Cameroon: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $193 in Cameroon. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $149 in Yaounde.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $158 in Cameroon. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 747% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 204% more in United States.

Public transport is 178% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 2748% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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
United States vs Cameroon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cameroon more expensive than United States?
Cameroon is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 270% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Cameroon, contributing to the overall 270% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Cameroon or in United States?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Cameroon, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Cameroon or to United States?
Cameroon is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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