Cost of Living in Cameroon 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Cameroon is the Central African CFA franc (XAF).
Monthly Living Costs in Cameroon
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €355 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €465 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Cameroon Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 37.1 |
| Rent index | 19.1 |
| Groceries index | 37.8 |
| Restaurant price index | 45.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 10.5 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 32.7 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 45.7 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Cameroon from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €5,000 |
| Finance | €5,000 |
| Engineering | €5,000 |
| Healthcare | €4,000 |
| Construction | €3,500 |
| Education | €3,000 |
| Hospitality | €2,500 |
| Retail | €2,000 |
Taxes in Cameroon
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 7.3% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,183 |
| VAT / sales tax | 19.2% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 38.5% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,183 per month. After rent and essentials (€355), roughly €5,828 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Cameroon Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | €180 | €85 | €25 | 37.1 |
| Chad | €180 | €75 | €15 | 39.5 |
| Equatorial Guinea | €650 | €280 | €55 | 48.9 |
| Gabon | €450 | €120 | €35 | 49.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Cameroon:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 19 residence and visa routes for Cameroon — see the full Cameroon visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €355 per month to sustain a move to Cameroon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cameroon expensive?
Cameroon has a cost-of-living index of 37.1 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a single person spends about €355 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Cameroon?
About €355 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €465 per month.
What is the average rent in Cameroon?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month in Cameroon. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Cameroon?
Typical gross annual salaries in Cameroon range from €2,000 (Retail) to €5,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Cameroon country profile and the Cameroon emigration guide.
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