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This guide breaks down everything you need to know about current rental prices in Yaoundé, from studio apartments to family-sized units across different neighborhoods.
We update this blog post regularly so you always have access to the freshest data on Yaoundé's rental market.
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 Yaoundé.
Insights
- The Yaoundé rental market in 2026 is essentially two markets in one: a large local mid-market segment and a smaller, pricier "secure and serviced" segment targeting expats, diplomats, and executives.
- Rent growth in Yaoundé in 2026 is expected to stay between 3% and 5%, which means rents are roughly keeping pace with inflation rather than spiking.
- Backup power and reliable water supply are the top amenities that boost rental prices in Yaoundé, often more impactful than extra bedrooms or modern finishes.
- Prime neighborhoods like Bastos in Yaoundé have vacancy rates as low as 3% to 5%, while outer areas can see vacancy rates closer to 10%.
- Well-priced rental properties in Yaoundé typically find tenants within 30 to 60 days, but overpriced or poorly located units can sit on the market for over 120 days.
- The rent per square meter in Yaoundé ranges from about 2,500 XAF in mid-market areas to over 7,000 XAF in premium secure compounds.
- August through October and January through February are peak rental seasons in Yaoundé, driven by university calendars and new-year contract cycles.
- Furnished rentals in Yaoundé command a premium of roughly 30% to 50% over unfurnished units, with expats and short-term tenants driving most of this demand.
What are typical rents in Yaoundé as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Yaoundé is around 120,000 XAF, which works out to roughly $200 USD or about €185 EUR.
That said, studio rents in Yaoundé can range quite a bit, from about 70,000 XAF ($115 USD / €105 EUR) for a basic unit to 180,000 XAF ($300 USD / €275 EUR) for something nicer with better amenities.
The main reasons for this variation are location, building quality, and whether the studio comes with reliable electricity and water, since a simple room in an outer neighborhood costs much less than a serviced mini-apartment in a secure compound near Bastos.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Yaoundé is approximately 170,000 XAF, or around $285 USD and €260 EUR.
Depending on location and building quality, 1-bedroom rents in Yaoundé typically range from 100,000 XAF ($165 USD / €155 EUR) on the low end to about 260,000 XAF ($430 USD / €400 EUR) for more desirable units, with prime expat-friendly buildings often exceeding 250,000 XAF.
Neighborhoods like Essos and Biyem-Assi tend to offer more affordable 1-bedroom options in Yaoundé, while Bastos and Nsimeyong command the highest rents due to their security infrastructure and proximity to embassies and international organizations.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Yaoundé is around 260,000 XAF, which translates to approximately $430 USD or €400 EUR.
The typical range for 2-bedroom rentals in Yaoundé spans from about 160,000 XAF ($265 USD / €245 EUR) for mid-market units to 400,000 XAF ($665 USD / €615 EUR) or more for secure, modern apartments with backup power and gated parking.
More affordable 2-bedroom options in Yaoundé can be found in neighborhoods like Emana and parts of Odza, while the highest rents cluster in Bastos, Nsimeyong, and around the Golf area where modern compounds with full services are located.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé.
What's the average rent per square meter in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average rent per square meter in Yaoundé is approximately 3,500 XAF per month, or about $5.80 USD and €5.40 EUR per square meter.
Across different neighborhoods in Yaoundé, rent per square meter ranges from roughly 2,500 XAF ($4.15 USD / €3.85 EUR) in mid-market areas to 7,000 XAF ($11.65 USD / €10.75 EUR) or higher in premium secure zones like Bastos and Nsimeyong.
Compared to Douala, Cameroon's economic capital, Yaoundé's rents per square meter tend to be slightly lower overall, though Yaoundé's premium segment can match or exceed Douala prices due to the concentration of embassies and government institutions.
Properties that push rent per square meter above average in Yaoundé typically feature backup power systems, 24/7 security, reliable water supply, and good road access, since these practical amenities matter more here than cosmetic upgrades.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of January 2026, average rents in Yaoundé have increased by roughly 3% year-over-year for the typical citywide market, though premium submarkets have seen increases closer to 4% to 6%.
The main drivers of rent changes in Yaoundé this year include ongoing housing supply constraints in the formal rental sector, continued urbanization pressure, and inflation dynamics that have moderated compared to the 2022-2023 spike but still push costs upward.
This year's rent growth in Yaoundé is actually more moderate than the previous year, when inflation was higher and the rental market saw sharper adjustments, suggesting the market is settling into a steadier pattern.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of January 2026, rent growth in Yaoundé is projected to be between 3% and 5% for the year, which means rents should roughly keep pace with or slightly exceed general inflation.
Key factors shaping this outlook include contained regional inflation as forecast by BEAC and the IMF, continued structural housing pressure in Yaoundé due to limited formal rental supply, and government spending priorities that support urban demand without rapidly expanding quality housing stock.
Neighborhoods like Bastos, Nsimeyong, and areas near University of Yaoundé I are expected to see the strongest rent growth in Yaoundé because demand for secure, well-serviced units in these locations consistently outpaces supply.
Risks that could push rent growth higher or lower in Yaoundé include unexpected inflation spikes, changes in government housing policy, or shifts in expat and diplomatic community presence, any of which could move the market faster than current projections suggest.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Cameroon. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Yaoundé as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest average rents in Yaoundé are Bastos, Nsimeyong (including the Golf area), and select hillside pockets of Mbankolo, where monthly rents for quality apartments typically start around 350,000 XAF ($580 USD / €540 EUR) and can go significantly higher.
What makes these Yaoundé neighborhoods command premium rents is a combination of embassy and NGO presence, reliable security infrastructure, backup power systems, good road access, and modern building standards that are relatively rare in the broader market.
The tenants who typically rent in these high-rent neighborhoods in Yaoundé include diplomats, international organization staff, NGO workers, executives at large companies, and diaspora Cameroonians returning home who prioritize security and service reliability over price.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Yaoundé.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Yaoundé right now?
The top three neighborhoods where young professionals prefer to rent in Yaoundé are Biyem-Assi, Essos, and Nlongkak, which offer a balance of affordability, commute convenience, and access to commercial life.
Young professionals in these Yaoundé neighborhoods typically pay between 100,000 XAF and 200,000 XAF per month ($165-$330 USD / €155-€310 EUR) for studios and 1-bedroom apartments, making these areas accessible on local professional salaries.
What attracts young professionals to Biyem-Assi, Essos, and Nlongkak in Yaoundé is the active street life, proximity to workplaces in central areas, availability of shared transportation, and the presence of restaurants, shops, and social venues within walking distance.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé.
Where do families prefer to rent in Yaoundé right now?
The top three neighborhoods where families prefer to rent in Yaoundé are Odza, Emana, and quieter pockets within Messassi and Obili, where larger homes and calmer streets are more readily available.
Families renting 2-3 bedroom apartments in these Yaoundé neighborhoods typically pay between 200,000 XAF and 350,000 XAF per month ($330-$580 USD / €310-€540 EUR), depending on the size of the unit and the specific location within the neighborhood.
What makes Odza, Emana, and parts of Messassi attractive to families in Yaoundé is the availability of more spacious housing, lower density, safer environments for children, and relatively affordable rents compared to the premium central neighborhoods.
Families in these Yaoundé neighborhoods have access to a range of schools, from public primary and secondary schools to private bilingual institutions, and some international school options are accessible by car from Odza and Emana.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Yaoundé in 2026?
As of January 2026, the three areas that rent fastest near transit hubs or universities in Yaoundé are Ngoa-Ekellé (near University of Yaoundé I), the Soa axis (toward University of Yaoundé II), and the Mvan/Etoudi corridors, where commuter convenience drives consistent demand.
Properties in these high-demand Yaoundé areas typically stay listed for only 20 to 40 days when priced realistically, compared to 45 to 60 days or more in less convenient locations.
The rent premium for properties within walking distance of universities or along major transit corridors in Yaoundé is typically 10% to 20% higher than comparable units in less accessible areas, adding roughly 15,000 to 30,000 XAF ($25-$50 USD / €23-€46 EUR) to monthly rent.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Yaoundé right now?
The top three neighborhoods most popular with expats in Yaoundé are Bastos, Nsimeyong (including the Golf area), and Nlongkak, which offer the security, services, and proximity to international institutions that expats typically require.
Expats renting in these Yaoundé neighborhoods typically pay between 300,000 XAF and 600,000 XAF per month ($500-$1,000 USD / €460-€920 EUR), with furnished and serviced options at the higher end of that range.
What makes Bastos, Nsimeyong, and Nlongkak attractive to expats in Yaoundé is the combination of 24/7 security, backup power availability, proximity to embassies and international organizations, furnished rental options, and established expat communities that make settling in easier.
The most represented nationalities in these expat-friendly Yaoundé neighborhoods include French, American, German, and other European nationals, as well as staff from various African Union and UN agencies, creating a diverse international community.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Yaoundé.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Yaoundé right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Yaoundé?
The top three tenant profiles that dominate the rental market in Yaoundé are local salaried households (public and private sector workers), students and early-career renters, and a smaller but significant group of executives, NGO staff, diplomats, and diaspora returnees.
Local salaried households represent roughly 60% of Yaoundé's rental market, students and early-career renters make up about 25%, and the executive/expat/diaspora segment accounts for approximately 15% of rentals but commands a disproportionate share of rental spending.
Local salaried tenants in Yaoundé typically seek unfurnished 1-2 bedroom apartments in mid-market areas, students look for affordable studios and shared housing near campuses, while executives and expats prioritize secure, furnished 2-3 bedroom units in premium neighborhoods like Bastos.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Yaoundé.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Yaoundé?
In Yaoundé, roughly 70% of tenants prefer unfurnished rentals while about 30% prefer furnished units, with the furnished segment concentrated heavily in the premium expat and short-term markets.
Furnished apartments in Yaoundé typically command a rent premium of 30% to 50% over comparable unfurnished units, adding roughly 50,000 to 100,000 XAF ($85-$165 USD / €75-€155 EUR) per month depending on the level of furnishing and included services.
The tenant profiles who prefer furnished rentals in Yaoundé are predominantly expats, diplomats, NGO workers on fixed contracts, corporate executives on assignment, and diaspora Cameroonians visiting for extended periods who value convenience over cost.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Yaoundé?
The top five amenities that increase rent the most in Yaoundé are backup power (generator or inverter system), reliable water supply (tank and pump), 24/7 security with gated parking, good road access for vehicles and taxis, and furnishing with included internet for the executive segment.
Backup power can add 30,000 to 50,000 XAF ($50-$85 USD / €45-€75 EUR) per month to rent in Yaoundé, reliable water systems add 15,000 to 25,000 XAF ($25-$40 USD / €23-€38 EUR), security and parking add 20,000 to 40,000 XAF ($35-$65 USD / €30-€60 EUR), and full furnishing with internet can add 50,000 to 80,000 XAF ($85-$130 USD / €75-€120 EUR) monthly.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Yaoundé?
The top five renovations that deliver the best ROI for rental properties in Yaoundé are installing an inverter/backup power system, adding a water storage tank with pressure pump, upgrading security (lighting, gate, perimeter), installing air conditioning in bedrooms for the executive market, and modernizing electrical wiring with a prepaid meter setup.
An inverter system typically costs 300,000 to 600,000 XAF ($500-$1,000 USD / €460-€920 EUR) to install and can increase rent by 30,000 to 50,000 XAF monthly, a water tank system costs 150,000 to 300,000 XAF ($250-$500 USD / €230-€460 EUR) and adds 15,000 to 25,000 XAF to rent, and security upgrades costing 200,000 to 400,000 XAF ($330-$665 USD / €310-€615 EUR) can add 20,000 to 35,000 XAF monthly.
Renovations that tend to have poor ROI in Yaoundé include luxury finishes like marble floors or high-end kitchen appliances that don't address the core tenant concerns of power, water, and security, as well as purely cosmetic upgrades that don't improve functionality.
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 strong is rental demand in Yaoundé as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for formal rental properties in Yaoundé is around 7% citywide, though this varies significantly by neighborhood and property type.
Vacancy rates across Yaoundé neighborhoods range from as low as 3% to 5% in prime secure areas like Bastos and Nsimeyong, where demand consistently exceeds supply, to around 8% to 10% in outer and mid-market areas with less desirable infrastructure.
The current vacancy rate in Yaoundé is roughly in line with or slightly below historical averages, reflecting ongoing urbanization pressure and a persistent shortage of formal, well-serviced rental stock that keeps the market tight.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average number of days rentals stay listed in Yaoundé is approximately 45 days for well-priced properties, though this varies considerably depending on property type, location, and pricing.
Days on market in Yaoundé range from about 20 to 40 days for prime secure units in high-demand areas like Bastos, to 45 to 60 days for mid-market properties, and 90 to 120 days or more for overpriced or poorly located units with limited amenities.
The current days-on-market figure in Yaoundé is roughly similar to one year ago, suggesting rental demand has remained stable rather than accelerating or cooling dramatically.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Yaoundé?
The peak months for tenant demand in Yaoundé are typically August through October and January through February, when the rental market sees its highest activity and fastest turnover.
The main factors driving these seasonal patterns in Yaoundé are the university academic calendar, which brings students and young workers seeking housing before school starts, and the January period when new employment contracts, government postings, and organizational budgets trigger relocations.
The lowest tenant demand months in Yaoundé tend to be April through June, after the January rush has settled and before the back-to-school period begins, making this a time when landlords may need to be more flexible on pricing.
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What will my monthly costs be in Yaoundé as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, landlords in Yaoundé should budget for property-related taxes of roughly 0.1% of the property's assessed cadastral rental value per year, plus small local fees, which typically works out to 50,000 to 200,000 XAF ($85-$330 USD / €75-€310 EUR) annually for most rental properties.
The realistic range of annual property taxes in Yaoundé varies from about 30,000 XAF ($50 USD / €45 EUR) for modest properties in outer areas to 300,000 XAF ($500 USD / €460 EUR) or more for larger or more valuable properties in prime locations, depending on the official assessment.
Property taxes in Yaoundé are calculated based on the cadastral rental value as determined by tax authorities, with rates applied according to the property type and use, and landlords should be aware that the 2026 Finance Bill proposes some adjustments that may affect rates once enacted.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Yaoundé, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Yaoundé right now?
In Yaoundé, landlords most commonly pay for building security (if the property is in a shared compound), common-area lighting and cleaning, and sometimes generator maintenance in higher-end buildings, while tenants typically handle their own electricity, water, and internet bills.
For landlords who do cover some utilities in Yaoundé, monthly costs typically run 15,000 to 40,000 XAF ($25-$65 USD / €23-€60 EUR) for security contributions, 10,000 to 25,000 XAF ($15-$40 USD / €15-€38 EUR) for common area maintenance, and 20,000 to 50,000 XAF ($35-$85 USD / €30-€75 EUR) monthly for generator fuel if included.
The common practice in Yaoundé for unfurnished long-term rentals is that tenants pay directly for electricity (through ENEO), water, internet, and cooking gas, while furnished and serviced rentals for expats often bundle internet, cleaning, and sometimes a capped electricity allowance into the rent.
How is rental income taxed in Yaoundé as of 2026?
As of January 2026, rental income in Yaoundé is subject to Cameroon's income tax framework, with landlords typically facing withholding mechanisms and the option to choose between claiming actual expenses or a standard deduction against their rental revenue.
The main deductions landlords can claim against rental income in Yaoundé include maintenance and repair costs, property management fees, insurance premiums, depreciation on the building, and interest on loans used to acquire or improve the property, though many opt for the simpler standard deduction approach.
One common tax mistake specific to Yaoundé landlords is failing to properly document advance rent payments received (which are common in the local market) in the correct tax year, or not registering rental contracts which can lead to complications during tax assessments.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Yaoundé.
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 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 Yaoundé, 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 | Why we trust it | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Cameroon National Institute of Statistics (INS) | This is Cameroon's official statistics agency responsible for national price and household datasets. | We used INS as our anchor source for validating that rent inflation is measured officially. We also used it to ground our estimates in government-recognized benchmarks. |
| INS OpenData for Africa (CPI Rent Index) | This publishes INS CPI sub-indexes with transparent time series including actual rental data. | We used this to estimate year-over-year rent changes from the official rent component. We used it as a reality check against what listings suggest in different neighborhoods. |
| INS Inflation Monitoring Note | This is an official analytical note from INS describing inflation drivers and economic outlook. | We used it to frame what was happening to prices as we entered 2026. We also used it to keep our rent growth outlook consistent with broader inflation dynamics. |
| World Bank Data (Cameroon CPI) | This is a standardized macro dataset used globally with documented sources from IMF IFS. | We used it to benchmark nominal rent growth against general inflation. We used it to avoid overstating rent changes based on small listing samples. |
| BEAC Economic Bulletin | BEAC is the central bank for the CEMAC zone and its bulletins are primary macro references. | We used it for the inflation and growth backdrop that shapes affordability and rent pressure in Yaoundé. We used it to support our 2026 rent growth outlook. |
| IMF CEMAC Regional Report | IMF surveillance reports are among the most cited and methodologically transparent macro sources available. | We used it to cross-check the macro outlook that feeds into rent expectations. We used it to keep our outlook section grounded in mainstream forecasts. |
| Cameroon DGI (Tax Authority) | This is the tax authority's official library for enacted finance laws and tax rules. | We used it to ground the rental income tax section in official law. We used it to cross-check private tax summaries and avoid misquoting rates. |
| PwC Tax Summaries (Cameroon) | PwC is a major professional services firm and their tax summaries cite local law and are professionally reviewed. | We used it to translate legal tax concepts into plain English. We used it only as an interpretation layer on top of official texts. |
| ENEO Cameroon (Electricity Tariffs) | ENEO is the operator that bills households and publishes the practical tariff tables customers actually see. | We used it as the consumer-facing mirror of regulated tariffs. We used it to explain why utilities can vary significantly with AC and generator use. |
| Housing Finance Africa (Cameroon Profile) | This is a recognized housing finance research platform that compiles and cites sector evidence. | We used it to support the structural shortage narrative that props up rents. We used it to triangulate that formal, well-serviced rentals are a scarce submarket. |
| UN-Habitat Cameroon | UN-Habitat is a UN agency working with governments on urban policy and housing systems. | We used it to explain why demand stays structurally strong in Yaoundé. We used it as context for neighborhood-level pressure. |
| Koutchoumi (Yaoundé Listings) | Koutchoumi is a large local listing aggregator with many live offers and visible asking rents. | We used it to build grounded estimates of asking rents by neighborhood in January 2026. We combined it with official rent inflation to avoid overreacting to any single week of listings. |
| Airbnb Yaoundé Monthly Stays | Airbnb is a major global platform that reflects the furnished and serviced end of rental demand. | We used it to sanity-check the upper end for furnished monthly rents. We used it only as a premium segment indicator, not as the citywide average. |
| Numbeo (Yaoundé Cost of Living) | Numbeo is transparent about being user-contributed and updates frequently, though it is not an official source. | We used it only as a cross-check to make sure our typical rent estimates were not wildly off. We did not treat it as a primary source. |
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