🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,282 in Addis Ababa versus $1,402 in San Luis Potosi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,880 in Addis Ababa versus $2,188 in San Luis Potosi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,478 in Addis Ababa versus $2,974 in San Luis Potosi.
🌍Living in Addis Ababa costs roughly 9% less than in San Luis Potosi, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Addis Ababa is 7% below, San Luis Potosi is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.11ETB 663
$14.49MX$246
-71.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.92ETB 6,932
$43.24MX$735
-0.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.45ETB 1,042
$10.09MX$171
-36.08%
Cappuccino
$0.95ETB 154
$3.57MX$60.6
-73.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63ETB 102
$1.48MX$25.13
-57.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68ETB 110
$0.98MX$16.61
-30.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.82ETB 132
$2.77MX$47.04
-70.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31ETB 372
$5.06MX$85.9
-54.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11ETB 179
$1.58MX$26.89
-29.75%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22ETB 197
$2.68MX$45.52
-54.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.17ETB 351
$2.01MX$34.13
7.96%
Eggs
$1.72ETB 278
$2.88MX$48.89
-40.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.51ETB 1,213
$9.13MX$155
-17.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.16ETB 1,640
$10.82MX$184
-6.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.17ETB 1,480
$12.49MX$212
-26.58%
Apples(1kg)
$5.25ETB 848
$3.49MX$59.3
50.43%
Banana(1kg)
$0.63ETB 102
$1.69MX$28.69
-62.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20ETB 355
$2.29MX$38.99
-3.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.70ETB 113
$2.66MX$45.13
-73.68%
Potato(1kg)
$0.49ETB 79.5
$2.86MX$48.66
-82.87%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09ETB 176
$3.37MX$57.2
-67.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66ETB 107
$1.21MX$20.59
-45.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58ETB 92.9
$1.38MX$23.38
-57.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.04ETB 1,298
$4.53MX$77.0
77.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.68ETB 918
$14.45MX$246
-60.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67ETB 109
$2.33MX$39.53
-71.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27ETB 204
$4.06MX$68.9
-68.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52ETB 83.8
$0.94MX$15.98
-44.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.84ETB 3,366
$75.8MX$1,287
-72.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35ETB 217
$0.89MX$15.13
51.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29ETB 46.84
$1.81MX$30.70
-83.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.95ETB 314
$10.67MX$181
-81.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88ETB 143
$1.51MX$25.58
-41.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.5KETB 9.0M
$22.5KMX$381.7K
147.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$55.4KETB 8.9M
$25.9KMX$439.9K
113.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$208ETB 33.6K
$44.26MX$752
370.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.26ETB 1,172
$17.41MX$296
-58.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$211ETB 34.0K
$33.96MX$577
520.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.06ETB 7,116
$32.84MX$558
34.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.68ETB 5,762
$28.84MX$490
23.72%
Cinema Ticket
$3.73ETB 602
$6.27MX$107
-40.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$137ETB 22.1K
$279MX$4,734
-50.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.5KETB 4.9M
$3,859MX$65.6K
691.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.94ETB 5,319
$59.7MX$1,014
-44.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.0ETB 11.3K
$41.23MX$701
69.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.8ETB 12.6K
$107MX$1,812
-27.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.5ETB 13.3K
$84.7MX$1,440
-2.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$721ETB 116.4K
$705MX$12.0K
2.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$401ETB 64.7K
$501MX$8,507
-19.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,289ETB 369.6K
$1,277MX$21.7K
79.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$759ETB 122.6K
$816MX$13.9K
-7.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,954ETB 315.5K
$1,535MX$26.1K
27.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$996ETB 160.9K
$939MX$16.0K
6.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Addis Ababa
San Luis Potosi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$200ETB 32.3K
$914MX$15.5K
-78.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.5
12.68
45.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Addis Ababa: August 30, 2026
Last update for San Luis Potosi: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $721 in Addis Ababa and $705 in San Luis Potosi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰San Luis Potosi pays 357% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $43.00 in Addis Ababa vs $43.00 in San Luis Potosi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $213 vs $317 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 in San Luis Potosi?
Addis Ababa and San Luis Potosi differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($1,282 vs $1,402 including rent). Addis Ababa is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 357% lower in San Luis Potosi. 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 in San Luis Potosi?
Rent for a central apartment: $721 in Addis Ababa versus $705 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 $1,282 per month in Addis Ababa versus $1,402 in San Luis Potosi – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Addis Ababa and in San Luis Potosi?
A monthly transit pass in Addis Ababa runs roughly 263% less than in San Luis Potosi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,282 in Addis Ababa versus $1,402 in San Luis Potosi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Addis Ababa but tight or insufficient in San Luis Potosi. The gap between the two cities makes Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in San Luis Potosi. 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