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 $2,626 per month in United States vs $848 in Cameroon, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $1,373 in Cameroon, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $1,898 in Cameroon, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 210% higher than in Cameroon on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Cameroon is 39% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($986$5,298) than in Cameroon ($363$1,406), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$3.88 FCFA 2,190
411.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 $78.8
$87.8 FCFA 49.6K
-10.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.19 $12.19
$6.23 FCFA 3,520
95.67%
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$1.97 FCFA 1,113
183.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.73 FCFA 979
60.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$0.64 FCFA 359
240.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 $5.86
$1.27 FCFA 719
361.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 $8.02
$1.74 FCFA 985
360.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$2.98 FCFA 1,682
-64.09%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$0.75 FCFA 421
390.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$1.85 FCFA 1,046
151.89%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$2.14 FCFA 1,210
96.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$15.12 FCFA 8,541
-15.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$5.45 FCFA 3,081
127.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.90 $16.90
$6.10 FCFA 3,447
177.05%
Apples (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.69 FCFA 2,085
41.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.32 FCFA 744
25.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$1.62 FCFA 918
167.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$1.51 FCFA 855
228.48%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.22 FCFA 1,255
27.03%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.72 FCFA 973
80.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.77 FCFA 435
184.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.74 FCFA 420
205.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.35 $10.35
$1.73 FCFA 978
498.27%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$8.60 FCFA 4,858
72.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.43 FCFA 810
46.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 $3.65
$1.98 FCFA 1,116
84.34%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Cameroon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 $2.38
$0.83 FCFA 469
186.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.5 $64.5
$17.89 FCFA 10.1K
260.48%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.54 $3.54
$0.63 FCFA 356
461.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$0.51 FCFA 287
264.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.34 $30.34
$6.22 FCFA 3,512
387.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.47 FCFA 829
-31.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$31.6K FCFA 17.8M
12.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$18.0K FCFA 10.2M
43.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$151 FCFA 85.2K
47.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.1 $61.1
$23.85 FCFA 13.5K
156.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.7 $74.7
$134 FCFA 75.7K
-44.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.49 $44.49
$28.08 FCFA 15.9K
58.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.35 $22.35
$5.86 FCFA 3,312
281.40%
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$9.11 FCFA 5,149
64.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,431 $1,431
$539 FCFA 304.7K
165.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$3,477 FCFA 2.0M
644.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 $53.6
$65.3 FCFA 36.9K
-17.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.46 $43.46
$64.9 FCFA 36.6K
-32.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
$142 FCFA 80.4K
-35.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$126 FCFA 71.4K
-10.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Cameroon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 $1,633
$358 FCFA 202.2K
356.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$152 FCFA 85.7K
775.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,606 $2,606
$841 FCFA 475.0K
209.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,206 $2,206
$280 FCFA 158.3K
687.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,323 $3,323
$2,045 FCFA 1.2M
62.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,653 $2,653
$972 FCFA 549.1K
173.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Cameroon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$153 FCFA 86.4K
2716.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
18.96
-67.25%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Cameroon: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,604 in United States vs $113 in Cameroon. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,360 in Columbia, TN and $148 in Yaounde.

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $165 in Cameroon. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1319% higher in United States.

Public transport is 170% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 2643% 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 255% 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 255% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Cameroon or in United States?
$1,500 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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