Cost of Living Comparison Between Yaounde and Bamenda Cost of Living Comparison Between Yaounde and Bamenda

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $725 per month in Yaounde vs $347 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,195 per month in Yaounde vs $535 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,665 per month in Yaounde vs $724 in Bamenda, rent included.

Yaounde costs about 109% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Yaounde and Bamenda are more affordable than the global median – Yaounde 46% lower, Bamenda 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.87 FCFA 2,747

$1.72 FCFA 968

183.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.99 FCFA 24.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.80 FCFA 3,272

$6.29 FCFA 3,548

-7.79%

Cappuccino

$2.59 FCFA 1,463

$0.86 FCFA 483

201.16%

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

$1.48 FCFA 834

$0.55 FCFA 312

169.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 FCFA 391

$0.37 FCFA 207

86.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.17 FCFA 661

$1.32 FCFA 744

-11.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 FCFA 970

$1.80 FCFA 1,016

-4.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.83 FCFA 1,600

$2.66 FCFA 1,503

6.39%

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 FCFA 558

$0.65 FCFA 366

52.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 FCFA 624

$0.99 FCFA 561

12.12%

Eggs

$1.83 FCFA 1,034

$3.22 FCFA 1,819

-43.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.96 FCFA 7,881

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.32 FCFA 3,567

$4.32 FCFA 2,438

46.30%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.98 FCFA 3,374

$5.38 FCFA 3,034

11.15%

Apples (1kg)

$4.63 FCFA 2,615

$2.73 FCFA 1,538

69.60%

Banana (1kg)

$2.10 FCFA 1,182

$0.92 FCFA 519

128.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 FCFA 1,162

$0.68 FCFA 381

202.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 FCFA 672

$0.87 FCFA 489

36.78%

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 FCFA 906

$1.45 FCFA 816

11.03%

Onion (1kg)

$1.46 FCFA 822

$1.09 FCFA 616

33.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.57 FCFA 324

$0.59 FCFA 332

-3.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 FCFA 562

$0.70 FCFA 394

42.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.73 FCFA 978

$1.44 FCFA 811

20.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.78 FCFA 4,954

$9.13 FCFA 5,154

-3.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 FCFA 695

$1.29 FCFA 727

-4.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 FCFA 906

$1.39 FCFA 784

15.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 FCFA 337

$1.73 FCFA 974

-65.32%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.76 FCFA 10.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.65 FCFA 365

$0.43 FCFA 241

51.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.38 FCFA 215

$0.33 FCFA 189

15.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 FCFA 3,158

$6.09 FCFA 3,439

-8.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 FCFA 761

$1.27 FCFA 716

6.30%

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

$33.1K FCFA 18.7M

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

$16.2K FCFA 9.1M

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

$79.3 FCFA 44.8K

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

$21.48 FCFA 12.1K

$17.47 FCFA 9,862

22.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.79 FCFA 26.4K

$34.07 FCFA 19.2K

37.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.01 FCFA 14.7K

$8.73 FCFA 4,926

197.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.26 FCFA 4,095

Cinema Ticket

$6.54 FCFA 3,692

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

$346 FCFA 195.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,832 FCFA 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.69 FCFA 9,419

$26.81 FCFA 15.1K

-37.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.83 FCFA 13.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.67 FCFA 11.1K

$43.79 FCFA 24.7K

-55.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$58.2 FCFA 32.9K

$62.0 FCFA 35.0K

-6.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$153 FCFA 86.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 FCFA 66.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$503 FCFA 283.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$256 FCFA 144.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$887 FCFA 500.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$626 FCFA 353.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$189 FCFA 106.8K

$105 FCFA 59.2K

80.26%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Yaounde: June 1, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 80% higher in Yaounde, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Yaounde vs Bamenda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $725 in Yaounde, $347 in Bamenda – roughly 109% apart. Yaounde costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,088 per month in Yaounde and $520 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $725 in Yaounde and $347 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 51% more in Yaounde, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $725 in Yaounde and $347 in Bamenda, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Bamenda – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Bamenda. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Yaounde makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.