Skyline of Yaoundé
Cost of Living: 95 2,800,000

Yaoundé, Cameroon

Yaoundé is a major city in Cameroon with a population of 2,800,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Yaoundé is a city in Centre with a population of 2,800,000. Yaoundé is a major city in Cameroon with a population of 2,800,000. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews young, with a median age of 19.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs Cameroon Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income FCFA 2,160,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Yaoundé vs Cameroon Average

Cost of Living
Yaoundé: 95
Cameroon Avg: 100
Housing Index
Yaoundé: 110
Cameroon Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: FCFA 2,160,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 2,800,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 84°F
  • Winter Low: 68°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: FCFA50,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: FCFA180000/mo

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Cost of Living

Yaoundé's cost of living index is 95 (Cameroon average = 100).

CategoryYaoundéNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceFCFA50,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)FCFA180000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)FCFA225,000/mo
Price per Sq FtFCFA33,333

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 Yaoundé:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityFCFA15000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)FCFA15Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterFCFA5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)FCFA15000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesFCFA35015Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Yaoundé scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 95
Rent
— FCFA180000
Sunny Days
— 240
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 84°F / 68°F
Safety
— 1.7 homicides/100k
Population
— 2,800,000
Internet Speed
— 10 Mbps

Climate

Yaoundé has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January88°F68°F2.5"
April69°F83°F2.8"
July84°F59°F1.5"
October64°F86°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Yaoundé 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

2
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

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

Demographics

The population of Yaoundé is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Bamileke
20.0%
Beti
15.0%
Fulani
10.0%
Other
55.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
45.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Christian
70.0%
Folk
10.0%
Muslim
20.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Institut National de la Statistique (2005)

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 Yaoundé, Cameroon?

The cost of living index in Yaoundé is 95, which is Lower the Cameroon national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Yaoundé is FCFA50,000,000. The housing index is 110.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Yaoundé is approximately FCFA180000/mo.

Does Yaoundé, Centre have income tax?

Yaoundé is in Centre, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Yaoundé?

Yaoundé enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 84°F, while winter lows can drop to around 68°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.