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: $725 in Yaounde versus $350 in Maroua.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,195 in Yaounde versus $518 in Maroua.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,665 in Yaounde versus $686 in Maroua.

Living in Yaounde is roughly 107% more expensive than Maroua, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Yaounde 46% lower, Maroua 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.87 FCFA 2,747

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.99 FCFA 24.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.80 FCFA 3,272

Cappuccino

$2.59 FCFA 1,463

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

$1.48 FCFA 834

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 FCFA 391

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.17 FCFA 661

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 FCFA 970

Milk (1 liter)

$2.83 FCFA 1,600

$1.79 FCFA 1,013

58.10%

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 FCFA 558

$0.92 FCFA 518

7.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 FCFA 624

$2.94 FCFA 1,659

-62.24%

Eggs

$1.83 FCFA 1,034

$2.85 FCFA 1,610

-35.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.96 FCFA 7,881

$5.25 FCFA 2,964

165.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.32 FCFA 3,567

$5.20 FCFA 2,936

21.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.98 FCFA 3,374

$3.45 FCFA 1,947

73.33%

Apples (1kg)

$4.63 FCFA 2,615

$1.74 FCFA 980

166.09%

Banana (1kg)

$2.10 FCFA 1,182

$0.92 FCFA 521

128.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 FCFA 1,162

$0.90 FCFA 506

128.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 FCFA 672

$1.81 FCFA 1,021

-34.25%

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 FCFA 906

$2.70 FCFA 1,525

-40.37%

Onion (1kg)

$1.46 FCFA 822

$1.71 FCFA 964

-14.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.57 FCFA 324

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 FCFA 562

$0.91 FCFA 514

9.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.73 FCFA 978

Wine (Bottle)

$8.78 FCFA 4,954

$11.56 FCFA 6,527

-24.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 FCFA 695

$0.89 FCFA 503

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 FCFA 906

$1.80 FCFA 1,016

-11.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 FCFA 337

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.76 FCFA 10.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.65 FCFA 365

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.38 FCFA 215

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 FCFA 3,158

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 FCFA 761

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

$52.5 FCFA 29.6K

51.19%

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

$21.48 FCFA 12.1K

$8.99 FCFA 5,073

138.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.79 FCFA 26.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.01 FCFA 14.7K

$17.58 FCFA 9,920

47.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.26 FCFA 4,095

$1.74 FCFA 984

317.24%

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

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.83 FCFA 13.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.67 FCFA 11.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$58.2 FCFA 32.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$153 FCFA 86.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 FCFA 66.5K

$88.0 FCFA 49.7K

33.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$503 FCFA 283.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$256 FCFA 144.6K

$161 FCFA 90.7K

59.52%

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

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 Maroua: May 31, 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 107% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,088 in Yaounde and $526 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 31% higher in Yaounde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $725 per month in Yaounde versus $350 in Maroua – a 107% 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 107% less than in Yaounde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.