Cost Of Living in Douala 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Douala

Whether you're living in Douala or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Douala is 330,000 XAF. Expenses can range from 47,000 XAF at the minimum level to 2.2M XAF at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Douala is 550,000 XAF. Expenditure can range from 180,000 XAF to 3M XAF per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Douala is 740,000 XAF per month. Families spend anywhere from 260,000 XAF to 4.8M XAF.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Douala is 250,000 XAF. Students spend from 37,000 XAF to 1.6M XAF per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Douala

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Douala is 92% This means that on average, people spend around 92% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
83%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

77%

91%

Couple
87%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

81%

96%

Family
96%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

90%

110%

How do people spend their money in Douala?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Douala typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 140,000 XAF with expenditure ranging from 11,000 XAF to 1.4M XAF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Douala ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 24,000 XAF with 1,800 XAF and 240,000 XAF being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 3,700 XAF to 480,000 XAF on commuting with 48,000 XAF being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Douala is 120,000 XAF. The cost of groceries can range between 9,200 XAF to 1.2M XAF. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

People in Douala allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,600 XAF to 340,000 XAF with 34,000 XAF being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,500 XAF to 190,000 XAF with 19,000 XAF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 29,000 XAF per month with 2,200 XAF being the minimum spent amount and 290,000 XAF being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Douala every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Douala manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 56% of the surveyed people in Douala said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 44% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Douala

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 7.4% to 29% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 14% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 150,000 XAF on average with savings ranging from 12,000 XAF to 1.5M XAF.

63% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 58% of couples said the same. 53% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Douala?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 31% of their monthly income to savings, with 18% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 110,000 XAF with 12,000 XAF and 700,000 XAF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 8.4% to 30% of their monthly income, with 16% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 180,000 XAF with 59,000 XAF and 940,000 XAF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Douala can save anywhere between 7.4% to 26% of their monthly income, with 13% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 230,000 XAF with 82,000 XAF and 1.5M XAF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Douala

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Douala. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Douala

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Douala

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Douala?

Around 55% of surveyed residents think that living in Douala is affordable with proper budgeting while 45% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Douala

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options57%

Few low-cost options43%

Based on the survey, 57% of the people living in Douala have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Douala whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes51%

No49%

Based on the survey, 49% of the people living in Douala said that they don't have an emergency fund while 51% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Cameroon

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy47%

We asked residents of Cameroon whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 53% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 47% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Cameroon have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 54% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 46% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance54%

Easily manages finances46%

Financial goals of people in Douala

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Douala, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 45% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 5% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Douala

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Douala and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Cameroon is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Douala about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Douala

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Douala

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 35% of the people in Douala have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 65% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Douala

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 34% of the people's monthly income in Douala goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Douala pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Douala

7% of debtors in Douala confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Douala.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Douala

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Douala how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Douala

Rent Cost in Douala

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

41,000 XAF

61,000 XAF

160,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$67

$100

$270

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

61,000 XAF

97,000 XAF

240,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100

$160

$400

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

81,000 XAF

120,000 XAF

320,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$130

$200

$540

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

97,000 XAF

160,000 XAF

440,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$160

$270

$730

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

190,000 XAF

490,000 XAF

970,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$320

$810

$1,600

Townhouse monthly rent cost

160,000 XAF

240,000 XAF

700,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$270

$400

$1,200

House monthly rent cost

190,000 XAF

490,000 XAF

970,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$320

$810

$1,600

Villa monthly rent cost

240,000 XAF

610,000 XAF

970,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$400

$1,000

$1,600

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Douala ranges between 41,000 XAF and 160,000 XAF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 61,000 XAF to 240,000 XAF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 81,000 XAF and 320,000 XAF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 97,000 XAF to 440,000 XAF. The average rent of a townhouse in Douala is around 240,000 XAF while house rental costs can be as high as 490,000 XAF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 240,000 XAF to 970,000 XAF per month.

Apartment and house prices in Douala

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

8.1M XAF

12M XAF

24M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$13,000

$20,000

$40,000

1-bedroom apartment price

9.7M XAF

16M XAF

61M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$16,000

$27,000

$100,000

2-bedroom apartment price

16M XAF

49M XAF

97M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$27,000

$81,000

$160,000

3-bedroom apartment price

54M XAF

81M XAF

240M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$89,000

$130,000

$400,000

Townhouse price

70M XAF

160M XAF

610M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120,000

$270,000

$1M

House price

81M XAF

490M XAF

700M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$130,000

$810,000

$1.2M

Villa price

97M XAF

540M XAF

810M XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$160,000

$890,000

$1.3M

The average price of a studio apartment in Douala can range from 8.1M XAF to 24M XAF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 9.7M XAF to 61M XAF. A villa can cost you 540M XAF on average with prices ranging from 97M XAF to 810M XAF.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Douala can be x87 to x199 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x87 multiples of the average monthly salary in Douala.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Douala is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 40% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Douala

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Douala

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

2,800 XAF

20,000 XAF

130,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.6

$33

$220

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

7,400 XAF

25,000 XAF

160,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$41

$270

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

13,000 XAF

37,000 XAF

240,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21

$61

$400

Internet and cable cost

2,200 XAF

4,400 XAF

5,900 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.6

$7.3

$9.7

Mobile phone bill and charges

1,800 XAF

2,900 XAF

8,800 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.9

$4.9

$15

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Douala ranges between 2,800 XAF and 130,000 XAF with average being 20,000 XAF, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 25,000 XAF with 7,400 XAF and 160,000 XAF being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 37,000 XAF. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 2,200 XAF to 5,900 XAF with 4,400 XAF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,900 XAF but can range between 1,800 XAF and 8,800 XAF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Douala is around 7.4%. This means that people pay 7.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.2% to 12% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Douala

Prices and cost of goods and services in Douala

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

440 XAF

880 XAF

1,500 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.73

$1.5

$2.4

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Douala is approximatly 880 XAF with meal cost ranging from 440 XAF to 1,500 XAF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

1,500 XAF

2,300 XAF

4,600 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.6

$3.8

$7.7

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,500 XAF and 4,600 XAF with 2,300 XAF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Douala.

Fine dining meal for one price

3,100 XAF

4,600 XAF

19,000 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.1

$7.7

$31

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,100 XAF to 19,000 XAF with the average cost being 4,600 XAF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Douala.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

370 XAF

590 XAF

880 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.61

$0.97

$1.5

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Douala is around 590 XAF. Price ranges between 370 XAF and 880 XAF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

290 XAF

350 XAF

440 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.49

$0.58

$0.73

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Douala is 350 XAF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 440 XAF and the minimum being 290 XAF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

220 XAF

290 XAF

440 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.36

$0.49

$0.73

A dozen eggs costs around 290 XAF on average with 220 XAF and 440 XAF being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

500 XAF

650 XAF

920 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.83

$1.1

$1.5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Douala is between 500 XAF and 920 XAF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 650 XAF.

Pack of beef price

590 XAF

880 XAF

1,800 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.97

$1.5

$2.9

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 880 XAF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

240 XAF

320 XAF

460 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.39

$0.54

$0.76

A bag of rice in Douala costs around 320 XAF on average with prices rangeing between 240 XAF and 460 XAF depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

88 XAF

120 XAF

220 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.15

$0.19

$0.36

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 88 XAF to 220 XAF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

160 XAF

210 XAF

340 XAF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.26

$0.34

$0.56

A bag of apples costs 210 XAF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Douala is around 29%. This means that people spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 53,000 XAF per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 7,500 XAF and 360,000 XAF depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 78,000 XAF per month. That number can be get as low as 26,000 XAF or a high as 410,000 XAF. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 47,000 XAF to 870,000 XAF with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Douala

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Douala

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Douala

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Douala