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.
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.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6KFCFA 19.0M
$30.9KFCFA 18.0M
$34.3KFCFA 20.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2KFCFA 12.4M
$11.7KFCFA 6.8M
$25.1KFCFA 14.6M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.1FCFA 46.7K
$68.9FCFA 40.2K
$86.1FCFA 50.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.16FCFA 10.0K
$8.58FCFA 5,001
$36.04FCFA 21.0K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.3FCFA 29.9K
$42.72FCFA 24.9K
$59.8FCFA 34.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.85FCFA 13.9K
$6.93FCFA 4,044
$43.36FCFA 25.3K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.93FCFA 4,041
$5.82FCFA 3,391
$6.93FCFA 4,041
Cinema Ticket
$8.32FCFA 4,849
$4.16FCFA 2,425
$10.82FCFA 6,309
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615FCFA 358.4K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,333FCFA 1.4M
$1,696FCFA 989.2K
$2,969FCFA 1.7M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.75FCFA 9,767
$13.40FCFA 7,815
$20.10FCFA 11.7K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.41FCFA 16.0K
$8.56FCFA 4,990
$42.81FCFA 25.0K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$25.17FCFA 14.7K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.8FCFA 32.6K
$17.27FCFA 10.1K
$77.7FCFA 45.3K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$142FCFA 83.0K
$129FCFA 75.2K
$152FCFA 88.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$183FCFA 106.7K
$85.1FCFA 49.6K
$425FCFA 248.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$408FCFA 238.1K
$346FCFA 201.8K
$1,903FCFA 1.1M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$208FCFA 121.2K
$167FCFA 97.6K
$335FCFA 195.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$855FCFA 498.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$589FCFA 343.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$185FCFA 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.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Yaounde$782
Yaounde$1,629
🛒Groceries & Markets
$249 31.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$183 23.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$149 19%
🍽Eating Out
$83 10.6%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$56 7.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$40 5.2%
🚌Getting Around
$22 2.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$583 35.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$208 12.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$166 10.2%
🍽Eating Out
$415 25.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$125 7.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$88 5.4%
🚌Getting Around
$45 2.8%
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
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
French is commonly spoken or the national language
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.