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 $1,111 per month in Adama vs $372 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,770 per month in Adama vs $560 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,429 per month in Adama vs $748 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Adama costs about 199% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Adama and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Adama 17% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 ETB 478

$3.60 ETB 567

-15.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.22 ETB 5,551

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 ETB 790

Cappuccino

$1.23 ETB 194

$1.02 ETB 161

20.59%

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

$0.64 ETB 101

$0.42 ETB 65.9

52.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 ETB 45.70

$0.48 ETB 76.3

-39.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 ETB 155

$0.78 ETB 123

25.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 ETB 478

$1.99 ETB 313

52.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 ETB 222

$1.01 ETB 160

39.60%

White Bread (500g)

$1.29 ETB 203

$1.01 ETB 160

27.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ETB 335

$0.99 ETB 156

115.15%

Eggs

$2.49 ETB 392

$1.76 ETB 277

41.48%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,100

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.77 ETB 2,171

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.54 ETB 2,134

$9.96 ETB 1,569

35.94%

Apples (1kg)

$6.80 ETB 1,072

$2.94 ETB 463

131.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 ETB 163

$1.02 ETB 160

1.96%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 ETB 341

$1.97 ETB 310

9.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 ETB 144

$0.77 ETB 122

18.18%

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 99.1

$0.67 ETB 105

-5.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.88 ETB 297

$1.17 ETB 185

60.68%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ETB 104

$0.98 ETB 155

-32.65%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 ETB 107

$0.52 ETB 81.6

30.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 ETB 636

Wine (Bottle)

$5.56 ETB 876

$4.03 ETB 636

37.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 ETB 165

$0.77 ETB 121

36.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 ETB 301

$1.98 ETB 313

-3.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 ETB 232

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.01

$0.52 ETB 81.2

-44.23%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.95 ETB 307

$1.98 ETB 312

-1.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 ETB 206

$1.02 ETB 160

28.43%

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

$55.8K ETB 8.8M

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

$53.8K ETB 8.5M

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

$162 ETB 25.5K

$100 ETB 15.8K

60.87%

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

$12.17 ETB 1,917

$9.90 ETB 1,560

22.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$131 ETB 20.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.5 ETB 7,963

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.1 ETB 9,311

Cinema Ticket

$5.74 ETB 904

$5.97 ETB 941

-3.85%

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

$80.8 ETB 12.7K

$50.3 ETB 7,927

60.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.03 ETB 7,412

$50.9 ETB 8,024

-7.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.6 ETB 11.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.0 ETB 14.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 18.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 ETB 79.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$296 ETB 46.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$983 ETB 154.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$806 ETB 127.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,032 ETB 320.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,514 ETB 238.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$101 ETB 15.9K

$198 ETB 31.2K

-49.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Adama: May 31, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 97% 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: $1,111 in Adama, $372 in Bahir Dar – roughly 199% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,666 per month in Adama and $557 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $80.8 per month in Adama and $50.3 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 $1,111 in Adama and $372 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 $372, than in Adama at $1,111. 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.