Cost of Living in Yaounde - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $736 monthly including rent, or $562 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,190 with rent, or $1,041 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,644 including rent, or $1,520 for daily expenses alone.

Yaounde sits 42–45% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 27% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Yaounde? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.89 FCFA 2,803
$3.56 FCFA 2,040
$8.89 FCFA 5,098
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.62 FCFA 25.6K
$35.70 FCFA 20.5K
$89.2 FCFA 51.2K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.65 FCFA 3,243
$5.22 FCFA 2,994
$6.10 FCFA 3,498
Cappuccino
$2.73 FCFA 1,564
$0.73 FCFA 419
$4.54 FCFA 2,603
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 FCFA 818
$0.70 FCFA 403
$3.50 FCFA 2,005
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 FCFA 379
$0.43 FCFA 245
$1.71 FCFA 981
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.16 FCFA 663
$1.03 FCFA 590
$2.06 FCFA 1,181
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 FCFA 1,004
$1.40 FCFA 804
$1.75 FCFA 1,004
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.86 FCFA 1,640
$2.09 FCFA 1,199
$4.35 FCFA 2,494
White Bread (500g)
$1.02 FCFA 583
$0.37 FCFA 210
$1.84 FCFA 1,057
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 FCFA 634
$0.73 FCFA 421
$1.21 FCFA 696
Eggs
$1.79 FCFA 1,027
$1.49 FCFA 854
$2.13 FCFA 1,223
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.15 FCFA 8,115
$7.08 FCFA 4,060
$21.23 FCFA 12.2K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.11 FCFA 3,506
$3.49 FCFA 2,003
$10.48 FCFA 6,008
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.89 FCFA 3,379
$3.49 FCFA 2,004
$6.99 FCFA 4,009
Apples (1kg)
$4.62 FCFA 2,648
$1.81 FCFA 1,036
$7.24 FCFA 4,154
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 FCFA 1,191
$0.53 FCFA 306
$3.56 FCFA 2,040
Oranges (1kg)
$2.06 FCFA 1,182
$0.86 FCFA 491
$3.09 FCFA 1,773
Tomato (1kg)
$1.24 FCFA 711
$0.90 FCFA 517
$1.80 FCFA 1,034
Potato (1kg)
$1.67 FCFA 957
$0.89 FCFA 511
$1.78 FCFA 1,021
Onion (1kg)
$1.45 FCFA 832
$0.86 FCFA 494
$1.72 FCFA 989
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.57 FCFA 327
$0.36 FCFA 205
$0.90 FCFA 514
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01 FCFA 577
$0.64 FCFA 369
$2.20 FCFA 1,261
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.72 FCFA 986
$1.72 FCFA 986
$1.72 FCFA 986
Wine (Bottle)
$8.63 FCFA 4,949
$4.31 FCFA 2,474
$8.63 FCFA 4,949
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 FCFA 733
$1.18 FCFA 675
$1.44 FCFA 827
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55 FCFA 890
$0.87 FCFA 499
$2.62 FCFA 1,503
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.61 FCFA 349
$0.52 FCFA 298
$1.56 FCFA 895
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.38 FCFA 9,970
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.60 FCFA 346
$0.52 FCFA 296
$0.77 FCFA 441
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 FCFA 240
$0.25 FCFA 144
$0.50 FCFA 288
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.78 FCFA 3,315
$4.45 FCFA 2,552
$7.12 FCFA 4,085
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 FCFA 771
$1.27 FCFA 726
$1.45 FCFA 833
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K FCFA 19.3M
$31.8K FCFA 18.3M
$35.4K FCFA 20.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.6K FCFA 9.0M
$12.1K FCFA 7.0M
$26.0K FCFA 14.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.6 FCFA 45.1K
$69.8 FCFA 40.1K
$87.3 FCFA 50.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.11 FCFA 12.1K
$17.59 FCFA 10.1K
$36.95 FCFA 21.2K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.48 FCFA 27.2K
$44.51 FCFA 25.5K
$53.4 FCFA 30.6K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.58 FCFA 15.2K
$7.09 FCFA 4,066
$44.29 FCFA 25.4K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.21 FCFA 4,136
$5.40 FCFA 3,099
$7.21 FCFA 4,136
Cinema Ticket
$6.66 FCFA 3,822
$4.44 FCFA 2,546
$11.55 FCFA 6,622
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$335 FCFA 192.2K
$43.43 FCFA 24.9K
$627 FCFA 359.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,827 FCFA 1.0M
$535 FCFA 306.7K
$3,120 FCFA 1.8M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.31 FCFA 9,354
$6.12 FCFA 3,510
$17.47 FCFA 10.0K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.04 FCFA 13.8K
$8.74 FCFA 5,012
$43.70 FCFA 25.1K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$19.51 FCFA 11.2K
$12.42 FCFA 7,121
$26.61 FCFA 15.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.0 FCFA 33.3K
$17.41 FCFA 9,985
$78.4 FCFA 44.9K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$149 FCFA 85.3K
$105 FCFA 60.2K
$263 FCFA 150.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$121 FCFA 69.3K
$71.6 FCFA 41.1K
$447 FCFA 256.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$498 FCFA 285.4K
$317 FCFA 181.8K
$1,937 FCFA 1.1M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$252 FCFA 144.4K
$174 FCFA 99.6K
$347 FCFA 199.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$866 FCFA 496.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$614 FCFA 352.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$184 FCFA 105.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6
-

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $149 for a central one-bedroom, or $121 outside the center. At 81% of the average salary ($184), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $184, while typical expenses reach $736. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $240 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $45.00 for two – broadly in line with the African average.

Public transport is priced at around $17.38 per month – among the cheapest in Africa (average $29.00).

Cost Highlights

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 98% of cities in Africa

Milk is more expensive than 96% of cities in Africa

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 $736 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 $736 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 $184 take-home, most residents in Yaounde can cover the $736 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,104 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 $149; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $121. Overall, the market runs from $121 to $149 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Yaounde?
A monthly transit pass in Yaounde goes for roughly $17.38, 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 $335 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 $736. 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 $736. 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 $736, so putting money aside takes more than $1,104 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 $736 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