Last update: Oct 2026 Cameroon ⭐ Capital 1.8M

Cost of Living in Yaounde

For one person, living costs in Yaounde are estimated at $782 a month, including rent and utilities – 22% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Yaounde

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Yaounde actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $782 monthly including rent, or $519 excluding housing.

$782 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,206 with rent, or $930 without housing.

$1,206 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,629 including rent, or $1,341 for daily expenses alone.

$1,629 /mo

Yaounde sits about 42% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are 14% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Yaounde? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.50 FCFA 2,040
$1.75 FCFA 1,020
$8.74 FCFA 5,099
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.7 FCFA 29.6K
$42.24 FCFA 24.6K
$84.5 FCFA 49.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.97 FCFA 2,896
$4.97 FCFA 2,896
$5.79 FCFA 3,378
Cappuccino
$1.87 FCFA 1,089
$0.66 FCFA 388
$4.15 FCFA 2,422
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 FCFA 854
$0.84 FCFA 487
$3.34 FCFA 1,948
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 FCFA 324
$0.36 FCFA 208
$4.45 FCFA 2,598
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.20 FCFA 698
$1.08 FCFA 630
$1.65 FCFA 965
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 FCFA 980
$1.68 FCFA 980
$4.20 FCFA 2,450
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$3.62 FCFA 2,109
$1.20 FCFA 699
$4.45 FCFA 2,596
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 FCFA 602
$0.21 FCFA 120
$1.67 FCFA 974
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.27 FCFA 743
$1.00 FCFA 583
$1.67 FCFA 971
Eggs
$2.02 FCFA 1,179
$1.62 FCFA 942
$2.23 FCFA 1,300
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.86 FCFA 8,080
$6.92 FCFA 4,037
$20.78 FCFA 12.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.02 FCFA 3,509
$4.30 FCFA 2,506
$10.32 FCFA 6,021
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.42 FCFA 3,744
$5.86 FCFA 3,416
$6.70 FCFA 3,904
Apples (1kg)
$4.97 FCFA 2,899
$1.99 FCFA 1,160
$6.63 FCFA 3,866
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 FCFA 1,139
$0.84 FCFA 489
$3.35 FCFA 1,956
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 FCFA 1,159
$1.32 FCFA 773
$2.98 FCFA 1,738
Tomato (1kg)
$1.35 FCFA 786
$0.83 FCFA 484
$1.66 FCFA 969
Potato (1kg)
$1.63 FCFA 952
$1.40 FCFA 815
$1.75 FCFA 1,018
Onion (1kg)
$1.39 FCFA 813
$0.83 FCFA 487
$1.67 FCFA 973
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 FCFA 654
$0.17 FCFA 100
$2.58 FCFA 1,503
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65 FCFA 381
$0.17 FCFA 101
$2.08 FCFA 1,215
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.68 FCFA 982
$0.84 FCFA 491
$1.68 FCFA 982
Wine (Bottle)
$8.25 FCFA 4,808
$4.12 FCFA 2,404
$8.25 FCFA 4,808
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 FCFA 772
$1.18 FCFA 685
$2.03 FCFA 1,186
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 FCFA 1,132
$0.86 FCFA 504
$2.59 FCFA 1,512
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.52 FCFA 305
$0.49 FCFA 283
$1.46 FCFA 849
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.19 FCFA 10.0K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.62 FCFA 363
$0.62 FCFA 363
$0.88 FCFA 515
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 FCFA 261
$0.27 FCFA 158
$0.53 FCFA 310
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.87 FCFA 3,422
$5.03 FCFA 2,933
$6.71 FCFA 3,911
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 FCFA 848
$1.46 FCFA 848
$1.46 FCFA 848
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6K FCFA 19.0M
$30.9K FCFA 18.0M
$34.3K FCFA 20.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K FCFA 12.4M
$11.7K FCFA 6.8M
$25.1K FCFA 14.6M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.1 FCFA 46.7K
$68.9 FCFA 40.2K
$86.1 FCFA 50.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.16 FCFA 10.0K
$8.58 FCFA 5,001
$36.04 FCFA 21.0K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.3 FCFA 29.9K
$42.72 FCFA 24.9K
$59.8 FCFA 34.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.85 FCFA 13.9K
$6.93 FCFA 4,044
$43.36 FCFA 25.3K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.93 FCFA 4,041
$5.82 FCFA 3,391
$6.93 FCFA 4,041
Cinema Ticket
$8.32 FCFA 4,849
$4.16 FCFA 2,425
$10.82 FCFA 6,309
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$615 FCFA 358.4K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,333 FCFA 1.4M
$1,696 FCFA 989.2K
$2,969 FCFA 1.7M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.75 FCFA 9,767
$13.40 FCFA 7,815
$20.10 FCFA 11.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.41 FCFA 16.0K
$8.56 FCFA 4,990
$42.81 FCFA 25.0K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$25.17 FCFA 14.7K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.8 FCFA 32.6K
$17.27 FCFA 10.1K
$77.7 FCFA 45.3K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$142 FCFA 83.0K
$129 FCFA 75.2K
$152 FCFA 88.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$183 FCFA 106.7K
$85.1 FCFA 49.6K
$425 FCFA 248.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$408 FCFA 238.1K
$346 FCFA 201.8K
$1,903 FCFA 1.1M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$208 FCFA 121.2K
$167 FCFA 97.6K
$335 FCFA 195.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$855 FCFA 498.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$589 FCFA 343.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$185 FCFA 107.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13
-

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Yaounde $782
Groceries & Markets
$249
Accommodation & Living
$183
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$149
Eating Out
$83
Clothing & Footwear
$56
Sport & Entertainment
$40
Getting Around
$22

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $142 for a central one-bedroom, or $183 outside the center. At 77% of the average salary ($185), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $185, while typical expenses reach $782. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $249 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $51.0 for two – above the African average of $41.00.

Public transport is priced at around $17.19 per month – among the cheapest in Africa (average $30.00).

Cost Highlights

Milk is more expensive than 97% of cities in Africa

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 97% of cities in Africa

Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is more expensive than 91% of cities in Africa

Good to know
🕒 Local time
20:09 8:09 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,817,524 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to XAF – Central African CFA Franc Converter

Central African CFA Franc exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 583 XAF (1,000 XAF = 1.71 USD). 1 EUR = 656 XAF (1,000 XAF = 1.53 EUR).

On the map
From you
  • Yaounde

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

Yaounde Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Yaounde - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yaounde a good value for cost of living for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other regional options?
Yaounde offers a sensible balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads when evaluating value. You will find a spectrum from affordable guesthouses to comfortable long-stay apartments, with markets, bakeries, and casual eateries offering budget-friendly meals. Relative to some African capitals, the lifestyle emphasizes practicality and access over extravagance. Public transport and ride-hailing are typical, though service quality can vary by district and time of day. If you plan ahead – staying in a walkable neighborhood, securing longer leases to reduce monthly costs, and mixing local dining with occasional outings – you will feel the value in your daily rhythm. Cost of Living in Yaounde, Cameroon helps frame your planning. Tip: Start with a month-long stay in a couple of neighborhoods to test the vibe before committing.
What does daily life look like in Yaounde in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Housing options range from walk-up studios near markets to larger apartments in established neighborhoods. Use local agents or trusted platforms, and visit in person to verify water, power, and internet reliability. For daily life, you will find fresh produce at neighborhood markets and affordable street-food options for quick meals. Transport includes minibuses, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, with more traffic near downtown during peak hours. For work, several cafes and coworking spaces offer reliable wifi by day. Errands are easiest when you live within a short walk of groceries, pharmacies, and clinics. Understanding the Yaounde living cost helps you budget for a comfortable apartment, reliable wifi, and regular groceries. Tip: Map a couple of neighborhoods with easy access to both groceries and transit before you commit.
How can you balance quality of life with budgeting and seasonal changes to fit your preferred neighborhood?
Quality of life in Yaounde hinges on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and access needs. Use a simple budgeting framework: allocate rent and utilities first, then groceries, transport, and a modest leisure allowance. Consider the seasonal shifts – cooler evenings can be pleasant, while the rainy season affects road conditions and travel times. To save, share accommodation with a partner or flatmates, cook at home with local ingredients, and choose ride-shares or buses for longer commutes. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with reliable internet, nearby markets, safe sidewalks, and easy access to parks or cafes for breaks. Tip: give yourself time to test two neighborhoods during different days and weather.
What makes Yaounde a budget-friendly city to live in?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Yaounde is just cheap – all-in costs average $782 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
How affordable is daily life in Yaounde?
Your money goes further in Yaounde than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $782 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is the average income in Yaounde enough to cover living costs and save?
At $185 take-home, most residents in Yaounde can cover the $782 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,173 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Yaounde?
Where you live in Yaounde makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $142; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $183. Overall, the market runs from $183 to $142 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Yaounde?
A monthly transit pass in Yaounde goes for roughly $17.19, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Yaounde?
Childcare averages $615 monthly at a private kindergarten in Yaounde. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Yaounde?
$1,000 stretches far in Yaounde – all-in monthly costs average only $782. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Yaounde expat-friendly?
Expats in Yaounde enjoy vibrant nightlife, wellness scene, café culture, and monthly costs average around $782. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Yaounde?
Monthly expenses in Yaounde run around $782, so putting money aside takes more than $1,173 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Can you backpack through Yaounde cheaply?
Budget travelers love Yaounde – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $782 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

Yaounde vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?