Cost of Living Comparison Between Yaounde and Maroua Cost of Living Comparison Between Yaounde and Maroua

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $829 in Yaounde versus $371 in Maroua.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,260 in Yaounde versus $542 in Maroua.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,690 in Yaounde versus $714 in Maroua.

Living in Yaounde is roughly 124% more expensive than in Maroua, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Yaounde 40% lower, Maroua 73% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 FCFA 2,033

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.7 FCFA 30.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.25 FCFA 2,959

Cappuccino

$2.04 FCFA 1,150

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

$1.53 FCFA 860

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 FCFA 304

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.24 FCFA 701

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 FCFA 990

Milk (1 liter)

$3.80 FCFA 2,142

$1.78 FCFA 1,006

113.48%

White Bread (500g)

$1.11 FCFA 628

$0.85 FCFA 477

30.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 FCFA 746

$2.95 FCFA 1,664

-55.25%

Eggs

$2.16 FCFA 1,216

$5.92 FCFA 3,334

-63.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.28 FCFA 8,049

$5.43 FCFA 3,060

162.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.03 FCFA 3,401

$5.33 FCFA 3,006

13.13%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.77 FCFA 3,818

$3.50 FCFA 1,973

93.43%

Apples (1kg)

$5.26 FCFA 2,964

$1.76 FCFA 991

198.86%

Banana (1kg)

$2.11 FCFA 1,189

$0.86 FCFA 484

145.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.17 FCFA 1,225

$0.86 FCFA 483

152.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.47 FCFA 828

$1.81 FCFA 1,022

-18.78%

Potato (1kg)

$1.69 FCFA 953

$2.67 FCFA 1,506

-36.70%

Onion (1kg)

$1.44 FCFA 810

$1.74 FCFA 983

-17.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 FCFA 633

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 FCFA 385

$0.87 FCFA 488

-21.84%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.73 FCFA 976

Wine (Bottle)

$8.96 FCFA 5,051

$11.28 FCFA 6,359

-20.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 FCFA 801

$0.90 FCFA 508

57.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 FCFA 1,152

$1.81 FCFA 1,019

12.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 FCFA 340

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.94 FCFA 10.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.64 FCFA 359

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.43 FCFA 242

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.23 FCFA 3,514

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 FCFA 832

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

$33.6K FCFA 18.9M

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

$22.3K FCFA 12.6M

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

$82.1 FCFA 46.3K

$53.0 FCFA 29.9K

54.87%

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

$18.00 FCFA 10.1K

$8.66 FCFA 4,881

107.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.9 FCFA 29.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.24 FCFA 13.7K

$17.96 FCFA 10.1K

34.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.33 FCFA 4,129

$1.80 FCFA 1,015

307.22%

Cinema Ticket

$8.66 FCFA 4,879

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

$642 FCFA 361.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,469 FCFA 1.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.46 FCFA 9,841

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.15 FCFA 15.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$26.92 FCFA 15.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.6 FCFA 32.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$147 FCFA 82.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$191 FCFA 107.6K

$89.3 FCFA 50.3K

113.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$411 FCFA 231.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$217 FCFA 122.3K

$160 FCFA 90.1K

35.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$888 FCFA 500.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$621 FCFA 349.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 FCFA 108.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Yaounde: August 29, 2026

Last update for Maroua: September 1, 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

Yaounde vs Maroua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Maroua is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 124% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,243 in Yaounde and $556 in Maroua 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 34% higher in Yaounde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $829 per month in Yaounde versus $371 in Maroua – a 124% 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 124% less than in Yaounde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.