The cheapest cities to build a house in Cameroon (2026)
Bafoussam is the cheapest city to build in Cameroon (−2 % versus the national average, a median cost of about 329 000 FCFA/m²); Maroua is the most expensive (+13 %, ≈ 380 000 FCFA/m²). The gap comes mostly from hauling materials — distance to the port of Douala and to quarries — and from local labour rates.
| # | City | Regional gap | Median cost per m² | T3 house (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bafoussam | −2 % | 329 000 FCFA/m² | 26 900 000 FCFA |
| 2 | Douala | ±0 % | 336 000 FCFA/m² | 27 400 000 FCFA |
| 3 | Yaoundé | +3 % | 346 000 FCFA/m² | 28 300 000 FCFA |
| 4 | Ebolowa | +3 % | 346 000 FCFA/m² | 28 300 000 FCFA |
| 5 | Buea | +4 % | 350 000 FCFA/m² | 28 500 000 FCFA |
| 6 | Kribi | +4 % | 350 000 FCFA/m² | 28 500 000 FCFA |
| 7 | Bamenda | +6 % | 356 000 FCFA/m² | 29 100 000 FCFA |
| 8 | Ngaoundéré | +9 % | 366 000 FCFA/m² | 29 900 000 FCFA |
| 9 | Garoua | +12 % | 377 000 FCFA/m² | 30 700 000 FCFA |
| 10 | Maroua | +13 % | 380 000 FCFA/m² | 31 000 000 FCFA |
National median of 336 000 FCFA/m² (SangoImmo engine, 2026 catalogue, excluding land), adjusted by each city's indicative regional factor — the same one the app applies. This ranking compares orders of magnitude, not contractual surveys; the real cost depends on the district, the plot and your local prices.
Why such gaps between cities?
Three factors make most of the difference. Transport: cement, steel and roofing land at the port of Douala; every kilometre inland or to the Far North is paid on the heavy items. Aggregates: a city close to quarries and river sand (like Bafoussam) saves on the shell. Labour: plentiful and competitive in the West, pricier in Douala and Yaoundé where demand is strong. The city pages give the detail: the factor applied, prices by house type and what drives the gap.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest city to build in Cameroon?
- Bafoussam, with a median cost of about 329 000 FCFA/m² (−2 % versus the national average), thanks to local aggregates and competitive building labour. Conversely, Maroua is the most expensive (+13 %) because of materials transport.
- Why isn't Douala the cheapest despite the port?
- Imported materials are at their best price there, but labour and strong building demand offset that advantage: Douala stays close to the national average.
- Do these costs include the land?
- No. The ranking compares construction only (materials, labour, VAT). Land prices vary even more between cities and districts — they come on top.
Sources and references
- Figures: SangoImmo costing engine, 2026 materials catalogue — see the full methodology. Open data, CC BY 4.0.
- National statistics and price indices for Cameroon: Institut National de la Statistique du Cameroun (INS).
- Housing policy and building permits: Ministère de l'Habitat et du Développement Urbain (MINHDU).
- Compliance rules checked by the app: SANS 10400 (building regulations), French NF DTU codes of practice, CEMAC-region practice.
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