Cost Of Living For a Student in Cameroon 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: XAF
Average monthly spending for students in Cameroon
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Cameroon?
Students in Cameroon spend around 230,000 XAF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 35,000 XAF or as high as 1.5M XAF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Cameroon
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 460 XAF | 920 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,500 XAF | 2,300 XAF | 4,600 XAF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 3,100 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 18,000 XAF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 620 XAF | 920 XAF | 1,800 XAF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 2,300 XAF | 3,100 XAF | 6,200 XAF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,300 XAF | 3,100 XAF | 4,600 XAF |
Average car price
| 1.2M XAF | 2.3M XAF | 3.1M XAF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,100 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 9,200 XAF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,400 XAF | 9,300 XAF | 62,000 XAF |
Internet and cable
| 2,300 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 6,200 XAF |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,800 XAF | 3,100 XAF | 9,200 XAF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,200 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 2,300 XAF |
One month gym membership
| 3,700 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 9,200 XAF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,700 XAF | 3,800 XAF | 5,800 XAF |
Woman dress
| 2,600 XAF | 3,600 XAF | 12,000 XAF |
Woman shoes
| 2,400 XAF | 3,300 XAF | 7,700 XAF |
Men's shoes
| 2,100 XAF | 2,600 XAF | 5,100 XAF |
Men suit
| 2,300 XAF | 2,900 XAF | 15,000 XAF |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,200 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 4,600 XAF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 38,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 58,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF | 230,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 77,000 XAF | 120,000 XAF | 310,000 XAF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 46,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF | 77,000 XAF |
Double Bed
| 31,000 XAF | 46,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Single Bed
| 27,000 XAF | 36,000 XAF | 46,000 XAF |
Living Room
| 51,000 XAF | 66,000 XAF | 230,000 XAF |
Dining Table
| 23,000 XAF | 31,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Sofa or Couch
| 31,000 XAF | 42,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 31,000 XAF | 46,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 27,000 XAF | 42,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Washing Machine
| 36,000 XAF | 51,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Stove or Cooker
| 33,000 XAF | 42,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Mobile Phone
| 38,000 XAF | 46,000 XAF | 66,000 XAF |
Laptop or Computer
| 42,000 XAF | 51,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
How do students spend their money in Cameroon?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $14 8,400 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $92 56,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $620 370,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Cameroon typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 56,000 XAF with expenditure ranging from 8,400 XAF to 370,000 XAF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.3 1,400 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $15 9,300 XAF |
| HIGH | $100 62,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Cameroon ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 9,300 XAF with 1,400 XAF and 62,000 XAF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.1 2,500 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $27 16,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $180 110,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 2,500 XAF to 110,000 XAF in a month on commuting with 16,000 XAF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $12 7,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $77 46,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $510 310,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Cameroon is 46,000 XAF. The cost of groceries can range between 7,000 XAF to 310,000 XAF. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.5 2,100 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $23 14,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $150 93,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Cameroon allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,100 XAF to 93,000 XAF with 14,000 XAF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.9 1,800 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $19 12,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $130 77,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,800 XAF to 77,000 XAF with 12,000 XAF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $11 6,700 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $73 44,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $490 290,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 44,000 XAF per month with 6,700 XAF being the minimum spent amount and 290,000 XAF being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $8.7 5,300 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $58 35,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $380 230,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Cameroon
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Cameroon?
Around 52% of surveyed students think that living in Cameroon is affordable with proper budgeting while 48% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Cameroon
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options54%
Few low-cost options46%
Based on the survey, 54% of the students living in Cameroon have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 46% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Cameroon whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes48%
No52%
Based on the survey, 52% of the students living in Cameroon said that they don't have an emergency fund while 48% 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 student guardians and parents in 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 students 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Cameroon
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Cameroon
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 38,000 XAF | 58,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 58,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF | 230,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 77,000 XAF | 120,000 XAF | 310,000 XAF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 92,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF | 420,000 XAF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 180,000 XAF | 460,000 XAF | 920,000 XAF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 150,000 XAF | 230,000 XAF | 660,000 XAF |
House monthly rent cost
| 180,000 XAF | 460,000 XAF | 920,000 XAF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 230,000 XAF | 580,000 XAF | 920,000 XAF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Cameroon ranges between 38,000 XAF and 150,000 XAF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 58,000 XAF to 230,000 XAF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 77,000 XAF and 310,000 XAF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 92,000 XAF to 420,000 XAF. The average rent of a townhouse in Cameroon is around 230,000 XAF while house rental costs can be as high as 460,000 XAF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 230,000 XAF to 920,000 XAF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Cameroon
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $85,000 | $130,000 | $380,000 |
Townhouse price
| 66M XAF | 150M XAF | 580M XAF |
| $110,000 | $250,000 | $950,000 |
House price
| 77M XAF | 460M XAF | 660M XAF |
Villa price
| 92M XAF | 510M XAF | 770M XAF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Cameroon can range from 7.7M XAF to 23M XAF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 9.2M XAF to 58M XAF. A villa can cost you 510M XAF on average with prices ranging from 92M XAF to 770M XAF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Cameroon will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 29 | x82 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Cameroon can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Cameroon.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Cameroon is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
26% 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.
| 700 XAF | 9,100 XAF | 91,000 XAF |
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 Cameroon
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Cameroon
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,400 XAF | 9,300 XAF | 62,000 XAF |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,300 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 6,200 XAF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,800 XAF | 3,100 XAF | 9,200 XAF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 9,300 XAF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,300 XAF to 6,200 XAF with 4,600 XAF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,100 XAF but can range between 1,800 XAF and 9,200 XAF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Cameroon is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Cameroon
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Cameroon
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 460 XAF | 920 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Cameroon is approximatly 920 XAF with meal cost ranging from 460 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 |
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 Cameroon.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,100 XAF | 4,600 XAF | 18,000 XAF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,100 XAF to 18,000 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 Cameroon.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Cameroon is around 620 XAF. Price ranges between 380 XAF and 920 XAF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Cameroon is 370 XAF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 460 XAF and the minimum being 310 XAF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 310 XAF on average with 230 XAF and 460 XAF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Cameroon is between 520 XAF and 960 XAF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 680 XAF.
Pack of beef price
| 620 XAF | 920 XAF | 1,800 XAF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 920 XAF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Cameroon costs around 340 XAF on average with prices rangeing between 250 XAF and 480 XAF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 92 XAF to 230 XAF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 220 XAF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Cameroon is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 7,000 XAF to 310,000 XAF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
