😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,383 in Addis Ababa versus $1,142 in San Luis Potosi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,083 in Addis Ababa versus $1,855 in San Luis Potosi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,783 in Addis Ababa versus $2,569 in San Luis Potosi.
😐Living in Addis Ababa is roughly 21% more expensive than San Luis Potosi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Addis Ababa is 3% above, San Luis Potosi is 15% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.55ETB 718
$11.84MX$205
-61.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.04ETB 5,522
$52.1MX$901
-32.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.41ETB 1,010
$10.14MX$175
-36.79%
Cappuccino
$1.24ETB 196
$3.02MX$52.2
-58.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69ETB 109
$1.30MX$22.42
-46.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43ETB 67.7
$0.87MX$15.11
-50.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.99ETB 156
$2.63MX$45.46
-62.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ETB 468
$4.46MX$77.1
-33.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44ETB 228
$1.64MX$28.38
-12.20%
White Bread(500g)
$1.33ETB 210
$2.38MX$41.14
-44.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.17ETB 343
$1.52MX$26.23
42.76%
Eggs
$2.43ETB 383
$2.02MX$34.88
20.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.29ETB 1,148
$9.34MX$162
-21.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.73ETB 2,164
$8.60MX$149
59.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.09ETB 2,063
$10.90MX$189
20.09%
Apples(1kg)
$6.68ETB 1,053
$2.82MX$48.70
136.88%
Banana(1kg)
$0.98ETB 154
$1.53MX$26.47
-35.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19ETB 345
$1.80MX$31.13
21.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.99ETB 157
$1.84MX$31.82
-46.20%
Potato(1kg)
$0.68ETB 107
$2.10MX$36.37
-67.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.81ETB 286
$2.24MX$38.72
-19.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68ETB 108
$1.27MX$21.99
-46.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64ETB 101
$1.00MX$17.27
-36.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02ETB 633
$4.04MX$70.0
-0.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.77ETB 909
$14.63MX$253
-60.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99ETB 156
$1.72MX$29.70
-42.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89ETB 298
$3.42MX$59.2
-44.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43ETB 67.9
$0.59MX$10.25
-27.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.21ETB 1,925
$68.3MX$1,181
-82.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.48ETB 234
$0.75MX$13.02
97.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27ETB 42.16
$1.24MX$21.42
-78.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.05ETB 323
$8.91MX$154
-76.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24ETB 195
$1.30MX$22.53
-4.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.4KETB 8.7M
$26.2KMX$454.0K
111.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$54.0KETB 8.5M
$21.6KMX$373.0K
150.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$157ETB 24.8K
$45.19MX$782
247.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.11ETB 1,908
$26.97MX$467
-55.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$129ETB 20.3K
$31.16MX$539
313.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$69.5ETB 11.0K
$27.07MX$468
156.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.71ETB 5,786
$15.97MX$276
129.87%
Cinema Ticket
$5.86ETB 923
$4.64MX$80.2
26.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$81.1ETB 12.8K
$221MX$3,829
-63.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$41.1KETB 6.5M
$3,368MX$58.2K
1119.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.81ETB 7,377
$57.8MX$1,000
-19.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$74.1ETB 11.7K
$41.85MX$724
77.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.3ETB 14.7K
$98.4MX$1,703
-5.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115ETB 18.2K
$75.5MX$1,305
53.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$758ETB 119.5K
$406MX$7,029
86.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$495ETB 78.0K
$351MX$6,064
41.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,819ETB 286.7K
$845MX$14.6K
115.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$890ETB 140.2K
$700MX$12.1K
27.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,981ETB 312.2K
$1,472MX$25.5K
34.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,009ETB 159.0K
$944MX$16.3K
6.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$206ETB 32.5K
$900MX$15.6K
-77.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17
11.5
47.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Addis Ababa: May 31, 2026
Last update for San Luis Potosi: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $758 in Addis Ababa and $406 in San Luis Potosi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰San Luis Potosi pays 336% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $35.00 in Addis Ababa vs $52.0 in San Luis Potosi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $265 vs $270 per month, with Addis Ababa cheaper across the board.
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 San Luis Potosi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi?
Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi differ by about 21% in total monthly costs ($1,383 vs $1,142 including rent). San Luis Potosi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, San Luis Potosi earns 336% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi?
Rent for a central apartment: $758 in Addis Ababa versus $406 in San Luis Potosi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Addis Ababa or San Luis Potosi?
All in, you'll spend $1,383 per month in Addis Ababa versus $1,142 in San Luis Potosi – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi?
A monthly transit pass in San Luis Potosi runs roughly 459% less than in Addis Ababa. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,142 in San Luis Potosi versus $1,383 in Addis Ababa, a $1,000 budget is realistic in San Luis Potosi but tight or insufficient in Addis Ababa. The gap between the two cities makes San Luis Potosi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi?
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.
Is Addis Ababa or San Luis Potosi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Addis Ababa or San Luis Potosi?
Expats usually find San Luis Potosi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Addis Ababa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Addis Ababa vs other spots: cost of living compared