Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Cameroon Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Cameroon Property Pack
This blog post covers the current housing prices in Cameroon as of the first half of 2026.
We constantly update this article to make sure you always have access to fresh and reliable data.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon.
Insights
- The median home price in Cameroon sits at around 87 million XAF (about $156,000), but actual closing prices tend to be roughly 10% lower due to the strong negotiation culture in the market.
- Prime neighborhoods like Douala-Bonapriso and Yaounde-Bastos command prices up to 2,500 dollars per square meter, while peripheral areas like Douala-Bonaberi can go as low as 650 dollars per square meter.
- New-build properties in Cameroon carry a premium of about 20% over similar existing homes, mainly because they include modern amenities like backup power, parking, and clearer documentation.
- Cameroon housing prices have risen roughly 70% over the past decade in nominal terms, but only about 25% when you adjust for inflation using official CPI data.
- Apartments and flats make up around 55% of formal residential listings in Douala and Yaounde, making them the most common property type available to buyers.
- Buyers in Cameroon should plan for an extra 12% to 18% on top of the agreed price to cover notary fees, transfer taxes, agency commissions, and potential renovation costs.
- The luxury segment in Cameroon starts at around 300 million XAF (about $540,000) and can reach over 1.2 billion XAF for high-end villas in diplomatic neighborhoods like Bastos.
- Over the past year, nominal housing prices in Cameroon have increased by about 6%, but after accounting for mid-single-digit inflation, real growth is closer to 2%.
What is the average housing price in Cameroon in 2026?
The median housing price is more useful than the average because it represents the middle point of the market and is not skewed upward by a small number of expensive luxury properties.
We are writing this as of the first half of 2026 using the latest data collected from authoritative sources like the National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon and international property platforms, all of which we manually double-checked.
The median housing price in Cameroon in 2026 is approximately 87 million XAF, which converts to about $156,000 or around 132,000 euros. The average housing price in Cameroon is higher at around 105 million XAF (about $189,000 or 160,000 euros) because it gets pulled up by luxury properties.
About 80% of residential properties in Cameroon in 2026 fall within the range of 40 million to 180 million XAF, which is roughly $72,000 to $323,000.
A realistic entry range in Cameroon starts at 25 to 40 million XAF (about $45,000 to $72,000 or 38,000 to 61,000 euros), where you can find an older 2-bedroom apartment of 70 to 85 square meters in peripheral neighborhoods like Douala-Bonaberi or Yaounde-Odza.
Luxury properties in Cameroon in 2026 typically range from 300 million to 1.2 billion XAF (about $540,000 to $2.16 million or 457,000 to 1.83 million euros), which would get you a new-build penthouse of 220 to 350 square meters in Yaounde-Bastos or a large villa in Douala-Bonapriso with premium security and high-end finishes.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon.
Are Cameroon property listing prices close to the actual sale price in 2026?
In Cameroon, the estimated gap between asking prices and actual closing prices is around 10%, meaning buyers typically pay about 10% less than the listed price.
This happens because negotiation is deeply embedded in Cameroon's property market, with sellers often setting optimistic starting prices expecting buyers to bargain. The gap tends to be larger for properties that have been on the market for a long time or when buyers can pay in cash, which gives them extra leverage since mortgage availability remains limited.
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What is the price per sq m or per sq ft for properties in Cameroon in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median housing price in Cameroon is around 724,000 XAF per square meter (about $1,300 or 1,190 euros per square meter), which works out to roughly 67,000 XAF per square foot (about $121 or 111 euros per square foot). The average price per square meter is slightly higher at around 807,000 XAF (about $1,450 or 1,330 euros), or 75,000 XAF per square foot (about $135 or 123 euros).
Prime, central, and secure neighborhoods like Douala-Bonapriso and Yaounde-Bastos have the highest price per square meter due to scarcity of well-titled land and strong demand from expats and corporations, while peripheral areas like Douala-Bonaberi and Yaounde-Odza have the lowest prices because of longer commutes and weaker infrastructure.
In Cameroon in 2026, you would find the highest prices per square meter in Douala-Bonapriso and Yaounde-Bastos, ranging from about 1 million to 1.4 million XAF per square meter ($1,800 to $2,500). The lowest prices are in peripheral neighborhoods like Douala-Bonaberi and Douala-Yassa, where you can find properties at 360,000 to 580,000 XAF per square meter ($650 to $1,050).
How have property prices evolved in Cameroon?
Compared to one year ago in January 2025, nominal housing prices in Cameroon have increased by about 6%, with the median home going from around 82 million XAF to 87 million XAF. After adjusting for inflation running in the mid-single digits, the real increase is closer to 2%.
Over the past decade from January 2016 to January 2026, nominal housing prices in Cameroon have risen by approximately 70%, which works out to about 5.4% compounded per year. In real terms after accounting for cumulative inflation, the increase is closer to 25%, driven mainly by urbanization putting pressure on titled land in Douala and Yaounde plus buyers increasingly paying premiums for clean titles and better build quality.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the latest updates on property price variations in Cameroon.
Finally, if you want to know whether now is a good time to buy a property there, you can check our pack covering everything there is to know about the housing market in Cameroon.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Cameroon versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How do prices vary by housing type in Cameroon in 2026?
In Cameroon in 2026, apartments and flats make up about 55% of formal residential listings, followed by standalone houses and villas at 30%, duplexes and townhouses at 10%, and small studios at 5%, mainly because apartment-style housing dominates the formal inventory in Douala and Yaounde where most transactions happen.
Average price ranges by property type in Cameroon as of the first half of 2026 are as follows: studios (25 to 40 square meters) go for 15 to 25 million XAF ($27,000 to $45,000), 2-bedroom apartments (70 to 90 square meters) range from 35 to 60 million XAF ($63,000 to $108,000), 3-bedroom apartments (110 to 140 square meters) cost 75 to 140 million XAF ($135,000 to $252,000), duplexes and townhouses (160 to 220 square meters) run 120 to 220 million XAF ($216,000 to $395,000), detached family houses (220 to 300 square meters) are priced at 140 to 280 million XAF ($252,000 to $503,000), and luxury villas (250 to 450 square meters in prime zones) range from 300 million to 1.2 billion XAF ($540,000 to $2.16 million).
If you want to know more, you should read our dedicated analyses:
How do property prices compare between existing and new homes in Cameroon in 2026?
New-build properties in Cameroon in 2026 carry a premium of about 20% compared to similar existing homes in the same neighborhoods.
This premium exists because new builds typically include features that buyers value highly, such as parking, backup generators, modern security systems, and clearer commercial documentation from developers, which reduces perceived transaction risk.
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How do property prices vary by neighborhood in Cameroon in 2026?
Yaounde-Bastos is the diplomatic and expat hub of Cameroon, offering high-end apartments, serviced residences, and villas with premium security. Prices here range from about 200 to 450 million XAF ($360,000 to $810,000) because of the concentration of embassies, top amenities, and strong demand from international residents.
Douala-Bonapriso is considered the most livable premium pocket in Cameroon's economic capital, with upscale apartments, villas, and newer builds on better roads. Prices range from around 130 to 220 million XAF ($230,000 to $395,000), driven by strong corporate tenant demand and quality infrastructure.
Douala-Bonanjo and Akwa form the central business core of Douala, offering apartments and mixed-use buildings that appeal to buyers who prioritize commute convenience. Prices here range from 100 to 200 million XAF ($180,000 to $360,000), though the area tends to be noisier than residential-focused neighborhoods.
You will find a much more detailed analysis by areas in our property pack about Cameroon. Meanwhile, here is a quick summary table we have made so you can understand how prices change across areas:
| Neighborhood | Category | Avg Price Range | Price per sqm | Price per sqft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douala - Bonapriso | Prime / Expat | 127-167m XAF ($228k-$300k) | 1.06-1.39m XAF ($1,900-$2,500) | 98-129k XAF ($177-$232) |
| Douala - Bonanjo | Prime / Business | 113-147m XAF ($204k-$264k) | 946k-1.22m XAF ($1,700-$2,200) | 88-113k XAF ($158-$204) |
| Douala - Akwa | Commute / Central | 94-127m XAF ($168k-$228k) | 779k-1.06m XAF ($1,400-$1,900) | 72-98k XAF ($130-$177) |
| Douala - Makepe | Family / Mid-market | 73-100m XAF ($132k-$180k) | 612-835k XAF ($1,100-$1,500) | 57-78k XAF ($102-$139) |
| Douala - Bonamoussadi | Family / Growing | 67-94m XAF ($120k-$168k) | 557-779k XAF ($1,000-$1,400) | 52-72k XAF ($93-$130) |
| Douala - Kotto | Family / Mid-market | 63-90m XAF ($114k-$162k) | 529-751k XAF ($950-$1,350) | 49-70k XAF ($88-$125) |
| Douala - Logbessou | Budget / New suburbs | 50-70m XAF ($90k-$126k) | 417-584k XAF ($750-$1,050) | 39-54k XAF ($70-$98) |
| Douala - Yassa | Budget / New suburbs | 47-67m XAF ($84k-$120k) | 390-557k XAF ($700-$1,000) | 36-52k XAF ($65-$93) |
| Douala - Bonaberi | Budget / Value | 43-63m XAF ($78k-$114k) | 362-529k XAF ($650-$950) | 34-49k XAF ($60-$88) |
| Yaounde - Bastos | Prime / Diplomatic | 120-153m XAF ($216k-$276k) | 1-1.28m XAF ($1,800-$2,300) | 93-119k XAF ($167-$214) |
| Yaounde - Nlongkak | Family / Central | 80-113m XAF ($144k-$204k) | 668-946k XAF ($1,200-$1,700) | 62-88k XAF ($112-$158) |
| Yaounde - Odza | Budget / Residential | 47-70m XAF ($84k-$126k) | 390-584k XAF ($700-$1,050) | 36-54k XAF ($65-$98) |
How much more do you pay for properties in Cameroon when you include renovation work, taxes, and fees?
When buying property in Cameroon in 2026, you should plan for an additional 12% to 18% on top of the agreed purchase price to cover all transaction costs including notary fees, transfer taxes, agency commissions, and potential renovation work.
For a property bought at around $200,000 (about 111 million XAF), adding 15% for additional costs would bring your total to roughly $230,000 (about 128 million XAF). That extra $30,000 (about 17 million XAF) covers notary and administrative fees, transfer taxes, potential agency fees, and a small budget for light renovation if needed.
For a property bought at around $500,000 (about 278 million XAF), the same 15% buffer would add roughly $75,000 (about 42 million XAF), bringing your total to approximately $575,000 (about 320 million XAF). At this price point, you are likely buying in a prime neighborhood where documentation tends to be cleaner, so your costs may trend toward the lower end of the range.
For a property bought at around $1,000,000 (about 557 million XAF), adding 12% for additional costs would bring your total to roughly $1,120,000 (about 624 million XAF). The extra $120,000 (about 67 million XAF) covers the same categories, though high-value transactions in Cameroon often benefit from slightly lower percentage costs due to economies of scale in legal and administrative fees.
By the way, we keep updated a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees to factor in the total buying cost in Cameroon.
Meanwhile, here is a detailed table of the additional expenses you may have to pay when buying a new property in Cameroon
| Expense | Category | Estimated Cost Range and Details |
|---|---|---|
| Notary and legal fees | Fees | About 2% to 5% of the purchase price. On a 100 million XAF property, this would be 2 to 5 million XAF ($3,600 to $9,000). This covers the notary's work in verifying documents, preparing the deed, and registering the transaction officially. |
| Transfer and registration taxes | Taxes | About 5% to 10% of the purchase price. On a 100 million XAF property, this would be 5 to 10 million XAF ($9,000 to $18,000). The exact rate depends on the deal structure and type of property documentation involved. |
| Agency commission | Fees | About 3% to 5% of the purchase price if you use an agent. On a 100 million XAF property, this would be 3 to 5 million XAF ($5,400 to $9,000). Not all transactions involve an agent, so this cost may not apply to every buyer. |
| Light renovation | Renovation | About 2% to 8% of the purchase price for paint, minor repairs, and cosmetic updates. On a 100 million XAF property, this would be 2 to 8 million XAF ($3,600 to $14,400). Many existing properties need some refresh work before moving in. |
| Heavy renovation | Renovation | 10% or more of the purchase price for bathroom, kitchen, or structural work. This is highly case-by-case and can vary dramatically depending on the condition of the property and the scope of work required. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Cameroon compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What properties can you buy in Cameroon in 2026 with different budgets?
With $100,000 (about 55.7 million XAF) in Cameroon in January 2026, you could buy a 2-bedroom existing apartment of around 80 square meters in Yaounde-Odza, a 2-bedroom existing apartment of around 75 square meters in Douala-Bonaberi, or a small 3-bedroom existing home of about 95 square meters in Douala-Yassa that may need some light renovation.
With $200,000 (about 111 million XAF), you could buy a 3-bedroom existing apartment of around 120 square meters in Douala-Makepe, a 3-bedroom existing apartment of about 115 square meters in Yaounde-Nlongkak, or a duplex of around 150 square meters in Douala-Bonamoussadi depending on the finish level.
With $300,000 (about 167 million XAF), you could buy a 3-bedroom existing apartment of around 130 square meters in Douala-Bonanjo in the central business area, a large 3-bedroom existing apartment of about 150 square meters in Douala-Bonapriso at the entry level of the prime market, or a detached existing house of around 220 square meters in Yaounde-Nlongkak.
With $500,000 (about 278 million XAF), you could buy a prime existing apartment of around 180 square meters in a good building in Yaounde-Bastos, a prime new-build apartment of about 200 square meters in Douala-Bonapriso, or an existing or new villa of around 300 square meters in one of Douala's top pockets.
With $1,000,000 (about 557 million XAF), you could buy a luxury new-build penthouse of around 300 square meters in Yaounde-Bastos, a luxury villa of about 400 square meters with high-end finishes in the Douala-Bonapriso area, or a high-end small compound with multiple units in a prime city location.
With $2,000,000 (about 1.11 billion XAF), the market becomes thin with fewer properties available, but you could potentially find a large luxury compound in Yaounde-Bastos with multiple apartments, a prime commercial-grade residential building in a top neighborhood, or an ultra-high-end villa with a premium land and title package in Douala or Yaounde.
If you need a more detailed analysis, we have a blog article detailing what you can buy at different budget levels in Cameroon.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Cameroon, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source Name | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon (INS) | INS is Cameroon's official government statistics agency responsible for producing the country's Consumer Price Index and other national economic indicators. | We used INS data to anchor inflation comparisons and verify recent CPI levels and trends. We also relied on INS to calculate inflation-adjusted real price changes over time. |
| INS Open Data Portal | This is the official open data platform of Cameroon's National Institute of Statistics, providing transparent access to national statistical data. | We used this portal to access historical CPI data for calculating decade-long real price changes. We cross-referenced the data with other sources to ensure consistency. |
| Bank of Central African States (BEAC) | BEAC is the regional central bank for the CEMAC monetary union including Cameroon, publishing official inflation analyses and macroeconomic reports. | We used BEAC inflation notes to cross-check regional inflation dynamics affecting Cameroon. We also relied on BEAC data to support our narrative of easing inflation in 2024-2025. |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Cameroon | The IMF is a leading international institution that publishes standardized country projections and macroeconomic data used by governments and analysts worldwide. | We used IMF projections to triangulate inflation expectations going into 2026. We also referenced IMF data to keep our framing consistent with mainstream economic projections. |
| European Central Bank (ECB) | The ECB publishes widely used reference exchange rates with transparent methodology and daily updates, making it the standard for euro-based currency conversions. | We used the ECB euro-dollar reference rate to convert XAF amounts to US dollars since the CFA franc is pegged to the euro. We fixed a clear January 2026 conversion rate for all calculations. |
| Realting | Realting is a large international property marketplace that publishes explicit city price ranges and consistent definitions for city center versus outside areas. | We used Realting as our main benchmark for price-per-square-meter ranges in Douala, Yaounde, and secondary cities. We built neighborhood-level estimates by converting their ranges into XAF, euros, and dollars. |
| Cari Africa (Immo Cameroun) | Cari Africa is a high-volume local listing aggregator where prices and surfaces are shown listing by listing, allowing verification of actual market data. | We used this platform to verify that Realting's price-per-square-meter bands produce realistic total prices for actual listings in Douala. We also calibrated entry-level examples using real listings from this source. |
| Trading Economics | Trading Economics is a well-known data aggregator that mirrors official statistical series and provides easy-to-access economic indicators for many countries. | We used Trading Economics only as a secondary cross-check to verify that CPI direction and recent levels match what INS publishes. We did not treat it as a primary source for any figures. |
| World Bank - Cameroon | The World Bank provides comprehensive economic data and development indicators for countries worldwide, including urbanization and GDP statistics. | We referenced World Bank data for context on Cameroon's urbanization trends and economic growth. We used this to support our analysis of why housing demand concentrates in Douala and Yaounde. |
| African Development Bank | The African Development Bank provides regional economic analysis and development data specific to African countries with local expertise. | We used AfDB reports for context on Cameroon's construction sector and infrastructure development. We referenced their data to understand factors affecting building costs and housing supply. |
| United Nations Data | UN Data is a comprehensive statistical database maintained by the United Nations providing demographic and economic indicators for all member countries. | We used UN demographic data to understand population growth trends in Cameroon's major cities. We referenced urbanization statistics to support our analysis of housing demand drivers. |
| Numbeo | Numbeo is a crowdsourced cost of living database that provides real-world price data contributed by residents in cities around the world. | We used Numbeo as a supplementary cross-check for rental and property price ranges in Cameroon's major cities. We compared their data against professional listing platforms for consistency. |
| Global Property Guide | Global Property Guide is an international resource providing property market data and investment analysis for countries across the globe. | We referenced Global Property Guide for context on Cameroon's property market compared to regional peers. We used their analysis to support our understanding of market dynamics and investor behavior. |
| Statista | Statista is a leading statistics portal providing access to data from market research, opinion polls, and official statistical sources. | We used Statista for supplementary data on construction costs and real estate market trends in Africa. We cross-referenced their figures with local sources for accuracy. |
| XE Currency Converter | XE is a trusted currency data provider used by businesses and individuals worldwide for accurate exchange rate information. | We used XE to verify our currency conversion calculations between XAF, euros, and US dollars. We cross-checked XE rates against the ECB reference rate for consistency. |
| OANDA | OANDA is a respected foreign exchange data provider offering historical and current exchange rate information used by financial professionals. | We used OANDA as a secondary source to verify exchange rate data for our currency conversions. We checked historical rate trends to ensure our January 2026 conversion assumptions were reasonable. |
| US Treasury | The US Treasury provides official government data on interest rates and economic indicators that influence global currency markets. | We referenced US Treasury data for context on dollar strength trends affecting the euro-dollar exchange rate. We used this to inform our currency conversion assumptions for January 2026. |
| Knight Frank Research | Knight Frank is a global real estate consultancy that publishes authoritative research on property markets in Africa and emerging markets. | We used Knight Frank research for context on African real estate market trends and luxury property dynamics. We referenced their analysis to understand premium neighborhood pricing factors. |
| JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) | JLL is a leading global commercial real estate services firm that publishes research on property markets across Africa and other regions. | We referenced JLL reports for context on commercial and residential property trends in sub-Saharan Africa. We used their market analysis to understand factors driving property values in major cities. |
| CBRE | CBRE is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm providing market research and property data for major markets globally. | We used CBRE reports for broader context on African real estate market performance. We referenced their analysis to compare Cameroon's market dynamics with regional trends. |
| CIA World Factbook | The CIA World Factbook provides comprehensive country profiles with demographic, economic, and geographic data maintained by US intelligence services. | We used the World Factbook for baseline demographic and economic data on Cameroon. We referenced population and urbanization figures to contextualize housing demand patterns. |
| World Bank Doing Business | The Doing Business project provided standardized data on business regulations including property registration procedures in countries worldwide. | We referenced Doing Business data for context on property registration processes and costs in Cameroon. We used this to inform our estimates of transaction fees and legal costs. |
| Transparency International | Transparency International is the leading global organization tracking corruption and governance issues that affect property markets and transaction costs. | We referenced Transparency International data for context on governance factors affecting property transactions in Cameroon. We used this to understand why clear title documentation commands a premium. |
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