Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,093 per month in Adama vs $379 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,744 per month in Adama vs $563 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,395 per month in Adama vs $747 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Adama costs about 189% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Adama and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Adama 18% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.06 ETB 485

$3.52 ETB 558

-13.07%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.62 ETB 5,487

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.11 ETB 810

Cappuccino

$1.27 ETB 202

$0.97 ETB 154

30.93%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 ETB 110

$0.38 ETB 60.6

81.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ETB 49.47

$0.49 ETB 77.0

-36.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ETB 163

$0.73 ETB 115

41.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 ETB 486

$2.06 ETB 326

48.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 ETB 221

$1.02 ETB 162

37.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.34 ETB 212

$0.99 ETB 157

35.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.14 ETB 339

$0.99 ETB 157

116.16%

Eggs

$2.48 ETB 394

$1.70 ETB 270

45.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.18 ETB 1,139

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.83 ETB 2,192

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.55 ETB 2,148

$10.19 ETB 1,615

32.97%

Apples (1kg)

$6.58 ETB 1,042

$2.91 ETB 462

126.12%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 155

$0.98 ETB 156

Oranges (1kg)

$2.23 ETB 354

$2.03 ETB 322

9.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 ETB 144

$0.76 ETB 121

19.74%

Potato (1kg)

$0.64 ETB 101

$0.62 ETB 97.9

3.23%

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 ETB 287

$1.17 ETB 186

54.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 ETB 102

$0.98 ETB 156

-34.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 ETB 102

$0.51 ETB 81.4

27.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 ETB 652

Wine (Bottle)

$5.72 ETB 907

$4.08 ETB 646

40.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 ETB 164

$0.78 ETB 124

33.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 ETB 291

$1.95 ETB 309

-6.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ETB 225

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.38

$0.51 ETB 80.9

-43.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.03 ETB 322

$1.97 ETB 313

3.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ETB 205

$1.03 ETB 163

25.24%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$55.5K ETB 8.8M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$53.7K ETB 8.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$159 ETB 25.1K

$100 ETB 15.9K

57.99%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.06 ETB 1,912

$10.06 ETB 1,595

19.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.45 ETB 7,838

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.7 ETB 9,627

Cinema Ticket

$5.59 ETB 886

$6.10 ETB 967

-8.36%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$81.2 ETB 12.9K

$49.33 ETB 7,819

64.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.1K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.90 ETB 7,434

$49.82 ETB 7,897

-5.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.5 ETB 11.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.7 ETB 14.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$502 ETB 79.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$297 ETB 47.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,015 ETB 160.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$789 ETB 125.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,023 ETB 320.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,485 ETB 235.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$99.5 ETB 15.8K

$203 ETB 32.2K

-51.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Adama: July 12, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 105% higher in Bahir Dar, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Adama vs Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,093 in Adama, $379 in Bahir Dar – roughly 189% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,640 per month in Adama and $568 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $81.2 per month in Adama and $49.33 in Bahir Dar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,093 in Adama and $379 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $379, than in Adama at $1,093. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Bahir Dar – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.