Cost of Living Comparison Between Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,383 in Addis Ababa versus $372 in Bahir Dar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,083 in Addis Ababa versus $560 in Bahir Dar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,783 in Addis Ababa versus $748 in Bahir Dar.

Living in Addis Ababa is roughly 272% more expensive than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Addis Ababa is 3% above, Bahir Dar is 72% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.55 ETB 718

$3.60 ETB 567

26.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.04 ETB 5,522

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.41 ETB 1,010

Cappuccino

$1.24 ETB 196

$1.02 ETB 161

21.57%

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

$0.69 ETB 109

$0.42 ETB 65.9

64.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 67.7

$0.48 ETB 76.3

-10.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.99 ETB 156

$0.78 ETB 123

26.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 ETB 468

$1.99 ETB 313

49.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 ETB 228

$1.01 ETB 160

42.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ETB 210

$1.01 ETB 160

31.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 ETB 343

$0.99 ETB 156

119.19%

Eggs

$2.43 ETB 383

$1.76 ETB 277

38.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.29 ETB 1,148

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.73 ETB 2,164

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.09 ETB 2,063

$9.96 ETB 1,569

31.43%

Apples (1kg)

$6.68 ETB 1,053

$2.94 ETB 463

127.21%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 154

$1.02 ETB 160

-3.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 ETB 345

$1.97 ETB 310

11.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 157

$0.77 ETB 122

28.57%

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 107

$0.67 ETB 105

1.49%

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 ETB 286

$1.17 ETB 185

54.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.98 ETB 155

-30.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ETB 101

$0.52 ETB 81.6

23.08%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.02 ETB 633

Wine (Bottle)

$5.77 ETB 909

$4.03 ETB 636

43.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ETB 156

$0.77 ETB 121

28.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 ETB 298

$1.98 ETB 313

-4.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 ETB 67.9

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.21 ETB 1,925

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.48 ETB 234

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.16

$0.52 ETB 81.2

-48.08%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 323

$1.98 ETB 312

3.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ETB 195

$1.02 ETB 160

21.57%

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

$55.4K ETB 8.7M

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

$54.0K ETB 8.5M

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

$157 ETB 24.8K

$100 ETB 15.8K

56.40%

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

$12.11 ETB 1,908

$9.90 ETB 1,560

22.32%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$69.5 ETB 11.0K

$50.5 ETB 7,963

37.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.71 ETB 5,786

$59.1 ETB 9,311

-37.86%

Cinema Ticket

$5.86 ETB 923

$5.97 ETB 941

-1.84%

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

$81.1 ETB 12.8K

$50.3 ETB 7,927

61.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.1K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.81 ETB 7,377

$50.9 ETB 8,024

-8.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.1 ETB 11.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.3 ETB 14.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ETB 18.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$758 ETB 119.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$495 ETB 78.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,819 ETB 286.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$890 ETB 140.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,981 ETB 312.2K

$2,032 ETB 320.3K

-2.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,009 ETB 159.0K

$1,514 ETB 238.6K

-33.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$206 ETB 32.5K

$198 ETB 31.2K

4.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Addis Ababa: May 31, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Addis Ababa pays 4% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

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

Addis Ababa vs Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar differ by about 272% in total monthly costs ($1,383 vs $372 including rent). Bahir Dar is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

Addis Ababa pays 4% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Childcare runs $81.1 in Addis Ababa versus $50.3 in Bahir Dar. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

All in, you'll spend $1,383 per month in Addis Ababa versus $372 in Bahir Dar – a 272% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $372 in Bahir Dar versus $1,383 in Addis Ababa, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Bahir Dar but tight or insufficient in Addis Ababa. The gap between the two cities makes Bahir Dar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Bahir Dar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 272% less than in Addis Ababa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.