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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $616 in Cameroon, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $949 in Cameroon, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,281 in Cameroon, rent included.

United States costs about 329% more than Cameroon on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Cameroon is 54% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,343$5,081) than Cameroon ($71.0$1,640), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.04 $20.04
$5.31 FCFA 2,994
277.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$117 FCFA 65.9K
-34.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$5.34 FCFA 3,013
113.86%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$1.76 FCFA 992
206.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.46 FCFA 825
74.66%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$0.67 FCFA 377
204.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.14 $6.14
$1.16 FCFA 656
429.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$2.67 FCFA 1,504
168.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$2.76 FCFA 1,555
-62.32%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$0.71 FCFA 401
414.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.59 FCFA 895
197.48%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$1.99 FCFA 1,122
120.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 $12.76
$15.36 FCFA 8,664
-16.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.42 $12.42
$5.63 FCFA 3,175
120.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.41 $16.41
$6.06 FCFA 3,415
170.79%
Apples (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$3.39 FCFA 1,909
59.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 $1.65
$1.52 FCFA 855
8.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$1.70 FCFA 960
170.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$1.39 FCFA 781
253.24%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.95 FCFA 1,102
49.74%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$1.67 FCFA 941
87.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.69 FCFA 391
227.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.30 $2.30
$0.71 FCFA 399
223.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$1.80 FCFA 1,017
449.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.10 $15.10
$9.11 FCFA 5,139
65.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.30 FCFA 733
46.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 $3.66
$1.85 FCFA 1,045
97.84%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cameroon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.48 $2.48
$0.75 FCFA 424
230.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.8 $64.8
$17.67 FCFA 9,968
266.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 $3.84
$0.59 FCFA 332
550.85%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$0.46 FCFA 258
282.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.58 $30.58
$6.28 FCFA 3,543
386.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.35 FCFA 763
-28.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$30.5K FCFA 17.2M
-0.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$15.6K FCFA 8.8M
68.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
$144 FCFA 81.3K
41.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.3 $57.3
$23.63 FCFA 13.3K
142.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2 $71.2
$133 FCFA 75.0K
-46.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.67 $46.67
$22.86 FCFA 12.9K
104.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.12 $22.12
$4.82 FCFA 2,718
358.92%
Cinema Ticket
$13.84 $13.84
$6.80 FCFA 3,837
103.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,384 $1,384
$534 FCFA 301.0K
159.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$3,462 FCFA 2.0M
555.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$65.4 FCFA 36.9K
-18.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.17 $43.17
$61.3 FCFA 34.6K
-29.56%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.6 $90.6
$139 FCFA 78.4K
-34.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$130 FCFA 73.4K
-12.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cameroon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$796 FCFA 448.8K
121.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$465 FCFA 262.5K
213.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,832 $2,832
$1,731 FCFA 976.3K
63.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,411 $2,411
$855 FCFA 482.0K
182.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,287 $3,287
$2,109 FCFA 1.2M
55.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$975 FCFA 549.6K
171.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,379 $4,379
$163 FCFA 91.7K
2592.99%
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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Cameroon: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $195 in Cameroon. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $153 in Yaounde.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $148 in Cameroon. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 739% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 204% more in United States.

Public transport is 178% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 2941% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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 275% 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 275% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Cameroon or 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 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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