The best neighborhoods to rent in Yaoundé in 2026
Bastos, Biyem-Assi, Essos, Odza, Nlongkak, compare prices, vibe and access before renting an apartment in Yaoundé.
April 18, 2026 · 8 min read
Yaoundé isn't a city you pick at random. Unlike Douala, which is more uniform, Cameroon's capital sits on hills and every neighborhood has its own logic: diplomatic, popular, student-heavy, upscale residential. If you're looking for a furnished apartment in Yaoundé, here's a mental map so you don't pick wrong.
Median price per night in Yaoundé
Based on 250 verified stays on KasaStay, updated October 2026.
| Neighborhood | Median / night |
|---|---|
| Bastos | XAF 70,000 |
| Omnisport | XAF 47,500 |
| Simbock | XAF 40,000 |
| Mendong | XAF 40,000 |
| Awae | XAF 35,000 |
| Biyem-Assi | XAF 35,000 |
| Damas | XAF 35,000 |
| Odza | XAF 30,000 |
| Ngousso | XAF 25,000 |
| Mbalgong | XAF 25,000 |
Bastos, the diplomatic address
Bastos remains the reference for expats, embassies and international executives. Quiet, secure, well-maintained, it is also one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Yaoundé, especially for villas and upscale apartments. Upside: quick access to downtown. Downside: limited nightlife.
Available stays in Bastos
Apartment · BastosApartment in Quartier Bastos, Yaoundé, 2 bedrooms
YaoundéBastos, Yaoundé
XAF 70,000 / night
Studio · BastosStudio in Bastos, Yaoundé, 1 bedroom
YaoundéBastos, Yaoundé
XAF 74,000 / night
Apartment · BastosApartment in Bastos, Yaoundé, 3 bedrooms
YaoundéBastos, Yaoundé
XAF 130,000 / night
Biyem-Assi, lively and affordable
Biyem-Assi is probably the most dynamic neighborhood in Yaoundé. Markets, supermarkets, restaurants, nightlife, it's all here. Rents here are among the most affordable in the city for a well-located furnished 2-room. Ideal for young professionals, but watch for noise and rush-hour traffic.
Available stays in Biyem-Assi
House · Biyem-AssiHouse in biyem-assi bambis, 4 bedrooms
YaoundéBiyem-Assi, Yaoundé
XAF 90,000 / night
Studio · Biyem-AssiStudio in de district de Biyem-Assi, 1 bedroom
YaoundéBiyem-Assi, Yaoundé
XAF 35,000 / night
Room · MbalgongRoom in Mbalgong, 1 bedroom
YaoundéMbalgong, Yaoundé
XAF 20,000 / night
Essos, the sweet spot
Essos has improved a lot in the last five years. It's a mixed neighborhood with solid modern residences, close to Boulevard du 20 Mai. Prices sit in Yaoundé's mid-range, for residence quality that is often above average. Very well served by shared taxis.
Available stays in Essos
Room · EssosRoom in Express Union Essos Hotel du Plateau, 1 bedroom
YaoundéEssos, Yaoundé
XAF 13,000 / night
Studio · EssosStudio in hôtel du plateau essos yaounde, 1 bedroom
YaoundéEssos, Yaoundé
XAF 15,000 / night
Apartment · EssosApartment in Express Union Essos Hotel du Plateau, 2 bedrooms
YaoundéEssos, Yaoundé
XAF 20,000 / night
Odza, for frequent flyers
Odza has become a must for regular travelers thanks to its proximity to Nsimalen International Airport. Lots of new residences at reasonable rates for recent furnished units, which explains its success. Watch for water pressure and rush-hour traffic.
Available stays in Odza
Mvan, Nsam, Mvog-Mbi, the budget picks
For a tighter budget or a long student stay, these neighborhoods offer the city's most economical studios and 2-rooms. Check building security and power reliability before signing.
Nlongkak, central and rising
Nlongkak combines centrality (close to Boulevard de la Liberté) with a building stock under renovation. Prices sit in the upper mid-range, a good balance of centrality and comfort. Good for short business stays and freelancers.
Available stays in Nlongkak
Apartment · NlongkakApartment in Nlongkak, Yaoundé, 2 bedrooms
YaoundéNlongkak, Yaoundé
XAF 55,000 / night
Studio · NlongkakStudio in Nlongkak, 1 bedroom
YaoundéNlongkak, Yaoundé
XAF 25,000 / night
Apartment · NlongkakApartment in Nlongkak, Yaoundé, 2 bedrooms
YaoundéNlongkak, Yaoundé
XAF 55,000 / night
Short-term or long-term?
If you're here for less than 3 months (mission, vacation, training), go short-term furnished: you avoid the multi-month rent advance and keep flexibility. For 6 months or more, unfurnished is cheaper but requires the standard Cameroonian practice (2 months deposit plus 6 to 12 months of rent paid upfront before keys are handed over) and an upfront furniture investment.
Three tips before you book
- Check the altitude. Yaoundé sits on hills. A higher-elevation apartment usually means fewer mosquitoes and cooler nights.
- Ask for the power bill. A big bill often hides poor AC insulation or a misconfigured electric water heater.
- Test the wifi on site. Coverage varies a lot between neighborhoods and even between floors.
To browse verified listings on KasaStay, visit the Yaoundé page.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is the best neighborhood to rent in Yaoundé?
- It depends on your profile. Bastos is the reference for expats, embassies and international executives: quiet, secure, but among the most expensive in the city. Essos is the sweet spot on quality and price with modern residences. Biyem-Assi is the most dynamic and among the most affordable, ideal for young professionals. Odza has become a must for frequent flyers thanks to Nsimalen airport, and Mvan, Nsam or Mvog-Mbi are the budget picks for students.
- How much does a furnished apartment in Yaoundé cost?
- Prices vary widely by neighborhood and type of stay. The real median prices per night, computed from verified stays on KasaStay and refreshed regularly, are shown neighborhood by neighborhood in this article's price table and on each neighborhood page. In short: Bastos is the most expensive, Essos and Nlongkak sit mid-range, Biyem-Assi is more affordable, and Mvan, Nsam or Mvog-Mbi are the most economical.
- Bastos vs Biyem-Assi: which to choose in Yaoundé?
- Bastos for quiet, security and standing: it's the pick of embassies, NGOs and international executives, with quick access to downtown but limited nightlife and rents among the highest in the city. Biyem-Assi for life and budget: it's Yaoundé's most dynamic neighborhood (markets, restaurants, nightlife) with furnished places among the most affordable, ideal for young professionals, but with noise and rush-hour traffic.
- Should I rent furnished or unfurnished in Yaoundé?
- For less than 3 months (mission, vacation, training), go short-term furnished: you avoid the standard Cameroonian practice of 2 months deposit plus 6 to 12 months of rent paid upfront, and you keep flexibility. For 6 months or more, unfurnished is cheaper per month but requires that large advance before keys are handed over and an upfront furniture investment.
- Which Yaoundé neighborhood is closest to the airport?
- Odza is the logical pick. The neighborhood is right next to Nsimalen International Airport, making it the most practical option for frequent travelers and short-mission professionals who want to skip city traffic. Many new residences have gone up, at reasonable rates for recent furnished units. Watch for water pressure and rush-hour traffic.
