You can live comfortably in Cameroon for about $900 a month, though costs vary by city and lifestyle. City-center one‑bedroom rent averages $389, cheaper options around $242, and utilities typically add $65–$200. Groceries and local transport are inexpensive; expect $0.84 per public transit fare and modest food prices. Private healthcare and international schooling raise budgets considerably. If you want specifics on housing, food, transport, healthcare, and schooling, keep going for detailed breakdowns.

Overview of Living Costs and Average Budgets in Cameroon

Although overall living costs in Cameroon sit below the global average, you should plan a monthly budget around $893 to cover typical expenses. That figure is about 1.28 times less than the world average and serves as a practical baseline when estimating living costs in Cameroon.

Breakdowns show city-center one-bedroom rents average $389, while cheaper options run near $242, and utilities for one person average $65.3 monthly. Internet (50 Mbps+) is roughly $57.2 for unlimited service.

Transport remains economical: a local ticket costs $0.84 and an 8 km taxi ride about $5.28, so daily commuting won’t dominate your budget.

Meal costs are moderate—lunch menus average $5.31 and a restaurant dinner for two about $69.7—so occasional dining out is affordable but adds up.

Use the $893 benchmark, adjust for your housing choice and lifestyle, and you’ll forecast realistic monthly spending.

Housing and Utilities: Rent, Mortgage, and Monthly Bills

Having set a practical monthly baseline of about $893, it’s useful to look closer at housing and utilities, which will often make up the largest share of your expenses.

You can expect city-center rent for a one-bedroom to average $389, while moving outside the center cuts that to about $242.

Basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment typically range from 40,000–120,000 XAF ($67–$200) depending on consumption; a single person’s essential services average roughly $65.3 monthly.

Add internet if you need it: plans with 50 Mbps+ cost around $57.2 per month.

If you plan to buy, factor in a mortgage interest rate of approximately 12.96% for a 20-year term—this makes monthly payments materially higher than rent in many cases.

Use these figures to model scenarios: rent-only, rent plus utilities and internet, and mortgage with utilities, so you can see which housing choice fits your budget and risk tolerance.

Food and Dining: Grocery Prices and Eating Out

When you plan your food budget in Cameroon, you’ll find staples and casual dining are especially affordable: milk runs about $2.64 per liter and rice $1.94 per kilogram, while a typical lunch menu costs roughly $5.31 and a fast-food combo about $5.76, letting you stretch a modest grocery+meal budget further than in many developed countries.

You’ll notice groceries for locally sourced staples remain low, so cooking at home reduces monthly costs. Eating out stays accessible: a pub beer (0.5L) is $1.23 and a cappuccino $1.43, which makes coffee breaks and socializing inexpensive.

A fast-food food combo gives predictable pricing for quick meals, while casual restaurants offer affordable lunch options. Dinner for two averages $69.70 — higher than single meals, so you’ll want to plan special occasions separately from daily spending.

Transportation and Commuting Expenses

When commuting in Cameroon you’ll find public transit very affordable — a single local ticket is about $0.84 (504 XAF) and a monthly pass roughly $19.00 (11,400 XAF), with shared taxis and minibuses the most common options.

Private taxis cost more for longer trips (an 8 km ride is around $5.28 / 3,168 XAF), and fuel is relatively expensive at 750–900 XAF per liter, raising ownership costs.

Public Transit Costs

Although public transit in Cameroon can be very affordable, you’ll want to weigh options: a single local ticket costs about $0.84 (504 XAF) while a monthly pass in Yaoundé runs roughly $19.00 (11,400 XAF), making it economical for regular commuters.

Shared taxis and minibuses offer widespread low-cost coverage, but individual taxi trips (an 8 km ride at about $5.28 / 3,168 XAF) and gasoline priced between 750–900 XAF per liter make private car use noticeably more expensive.

For day-to-day travel, public transit costs in Cameroon keep your monthly transport budget low if you rely on tickets or a pass. Expect variable comfort and schedule reliability, but extensive minibus routes and shared taxis cover most urban corridors.

Plan for occasional taxi trips when timing or convenience matters.

Private Transport Expenses

Because you’ll pay both fuel and import taxes, private transport in Cameroon tends to cost more than riding minibuses or shared taxis: an 8 km taxi trip runs about $5.28 (3,168 XAF).

Gasoline averages roughly $1.36 per liter (750–900 XAF), and high vehicle import duties push up purchase prices and ongoing ownership costs.

You’ll find private transport expenses include fuel, maintenance, insurance and amortized import fees; those add up compared with public options.

If you commute daily, a monthly Yaoundé transit pass (~$19 / 11,400 XAF) can be far cheaper.

Consider owning only if you need flexibility or travel frequently outside transit routes.

• 8 km taxi ≈ $5.28 (3,168 XAF)
• Gasoline ~ $1.36/liter (750–900 XAF)
• Monthly pass ≈ $19 (11,400 XAF)
• High import duties raise purchase costs

Healthcare, Insurance, and Medical Costs

You’ll find public healthcare in Cameroon is generally low-cost but often lacks advanced facilities and specialist care, so many people use private clinics for faster service.

Private consultations typically run $20–$50 (≈12,000–30,000 XAF), while vaccinations and basic preventive care remain inexpensive across both sectors.

Health insurance isn’t widespread locally, though expat plans are available if you want broader coverage for higher premiums and better access to private providers.

Public Vs Private Care

When weighing healthcare options in Cameroon, you’ll find public clinics and hospitals offer low-cost basics while private facilities deliver faster service and more specialized care; consultations in private clinics typically run $20–$50 (12,000–30,000 XAF).

You’ll rely on public healthcare for routine, affordable treatment but expect limited diagnostics and longer waits.

Private healthcare gives quicker access, better facilities, and more specialists, so expats often prefer it and buy health insurance to offset costs.

Budgeting should factor in cumulative expenses like private consults, meds, and school-related fees for families.

• Public healthcare: low fees, limited advanced services, longer wait times
• Private healthcare: faster service, more specialists, higher fees
• Health insurance: recommended for private access
• Families: small costs add up quickly

Typical Consultation Costs

Public and private care differences shape what you’ll pay at consultations: public clinics keep out-of-pocket fees low, while private appointments usually cost $20–$50 (12,000–30,000 XAF) per visit.

You’ll find public consultation fees minimal, making them a predictable component of living expenses, but private clinics offer faster access and better-equipped facilities, especially in urban centers.

Emergency access in rural areas is limited, so you may opt for private care and absorb higher per-visit costs.

Prescription drugs typically add $2–$10 per item, so factor medication into per-visit totals.

Basic health insurance can offset routine costs, though premiums start around $100 annually; still, insurance coverage and network limitations affect your net outlay for consultations and follow-up care.

Health Insurance Options

For most residents and expatriates in Cameroon, choosing health insurance means balancing cost, coverage and access: public services are cheap but limited, private clinics charge $20–$50 per consultation, and international plans often cost more but cover better facilities and medical evacuation.

You’ll evaluate health insurance options by comparing premiums, network hospitals, exclusions and evacuation clauses. Public care reduces premiums but raises out-of-pocket risk for advanced treatment. Private care gives faster access but higher per-visit costs (12,000–30,000 XAF).

Expatriates often buy international plans for broader coverage and repatriation. Preventive care and vaccinations vary in price; check if plans reimburse them. Assess likely service needs and local facility quality to choose the most cost-effective policy.

• Premium vs. out-of-pocket trade-offs
• Network hospital availability
• Evacuation and repatriation coverage
• Preventive care and vaccine reimbursement

Education, Childcare, and Schooling Options

How will your budget shape schooling choices in Cameroon? Education options span free or low-cost public schools—typically requiring uniforms and occasional fees—to private schools charging $500–$2,000 annually (300,000–1,200,000 XAF).

How will your budget shape schooling in Cameroon? Options range from low-cost public schools to private schools costing $500–$2,000.

International schools cost substantially more, about $5,000–$10,000 per year (3,000,000–6,000,000 XAF), so factor currency exchange and expatriate allowances.

Childcare and preschool are comparatively inexpensive locally; while a U.S. private preschool averages $1,387.27 annually, Cameroonian private preschool fees are much lower, making early childcare affordable for many families.

Consider private healthcare consultation costs ($20–$50 / 12,000–30,000 XAF) when evaluating access to school medical support.

Quality varies: public schools often lack advanced facilities and resources found in private or international schools, which can affect outcomes and lead you to pay more for enrichment, tutoring, or extracurriculars.

Budget decisions will determine trade-offs between cost, quality, and convenience across education and childcare choices.

Entertainment, Leisure, and Miscellaneous Daily Expenses

Although entertainment in Cameroon can be very affordable, your actual spend will depend on the activities you choose and where you live.

In Yaoundé, a gym membership runs about 15,000–40,000 XAF/month, so if you prioritize fitness you’ll budget accordingly.

Cinema outings typically cost 2,000–4,500 XAF per ticket, making movie nights low-cost.

Nightlife and cultural events remain cheaper than Western equivalents; local festivals and community events often carry minimal fees, keeping leisure accessible.

Dining at local restaurants is generally inexpensive, with an average dinner for two around $69.70, so eating out is feasible for many residents.

• Gym membership: 15,000–40,000 XAF/month in Yaoundé
• Cinema ticket: 2,000–4,500 XAF
• Local festivals: low-cost or free community events
• Dinner for two: ~ $69.70

When planning living in Cameroon, combine these benchmarks to estimate monthly discretionary spending based on your lifestyle choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Money Do You Need to Live in Cameroon?

You’ll need about $893 monthly for basic living in Cameroon (Cost Analysis). With average rent $242–$389, utilities $65, internet $57, and cheap transport, your salary of $172 covers roughly a fifth of needs.

Is Cameroon a Good Place to Live?

You can enjoy Cameroon’s Cultural Diversity and affordable living, but you’ll face limited healthcare, lower life expectancy, and low average incomes; if you’re adaptable and prioritize culture over wealth, it can be a rewarding place to live.

How Much Is Rent in Cameroon per Month?

Like finding a market treasure, rental prices in Cameroon run about $389/month for a city-center 1-bedroom, $242 outside the center; you’ll also factor utilities (~$65.30). You’ll choose based on city, suburb, budget.

How Much Is a Gallon of Milk in Cameroon?

A gallon of milk in Cameroon costs about $10.00, so you’ll see Milk Prices near $10 per gallon ($2.64 per liter). You’ll notice locally sourced fresh milk is usually cheaper than imported options in urban areas.

Conclusion

You’ll find Cameroon’s cost of living varies by city: Yaoundé and Douala run higher, smaller towns much lower. With typical monthly budgets from about $300 (basic lifestyle) to $1,200+ (comfortable expat living), you can expect housing and food to dominate expenses, transport and healthcare to add modestly, and schooling or leisure to raise costs further. Think of expenses like a mosaic—each tile matters—so use local data and your lifestyle priorities to plan realistically.