Skyline of Douala
Cost of Living: 100 3,500,000

Douala, Cameroon

Douala is a major city in Cameroon with a population of 3,500,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Cameroon Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income FCFA 2,400,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Douala vs Cameroon Average

Cost of Living
Douala: 100
Cameroon Avg: 100
Housing Index
Douala: 115
Cameroon Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 19.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: FCFA 2,400,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 3,500,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: FCFA60,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: FCFA200000/mo

Cost of Living

Douala's cost of living index is 100 (Cameroon average = 100).

CategoryDoualaNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceFCFA60,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)FCFA200000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)FCFA250,000/mo
Price per Sq FtFCFA40,000

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

FCFA
%
$90,000 down
%
%
FCFA

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Douala:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityFCFA15000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)FCFA64Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterFCFA5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)FCFA15000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesFCFA35064Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Douala scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
FCFA200000
Sunny Days
240
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
88°F / 72°F
Safety
1.7 homicides/100k
Population
3,500,000
Internet Speed
10 Mbps

Climate

Douala has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April73°F87°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Douala faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Northern Cameroon experiences drought.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in northern regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 19.25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Mar), 3rd (Apr-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Dual English and French education systems.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Douala, Cameroon?

The cost of living index in Douala is 100, which is Lower the Cameroon national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Douala?

The median home price in Douala is FCFA60,000,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Douala is approximately FCFA200000/mo.

Does Douala, Littoral have income tax?

Douala is in Littoral, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Douala?

Douala enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.