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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $836 in Assela versus $373 in Bahir Dar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,195 in Assela versus $573 in Bahir Dar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,554 in Assela versus $772 in Bahir Dar.

Living in Assela is roughly 124% more expensive than in Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Assela 39% lower, Bahir Dar 73% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.94 ETB 632

$3.40 ETB 546

15.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.27 ETB 6,949

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.66 ETB 1,070

Cappuccino

$0.95 ETB 152

$1.01 ETB 163

-5.94%

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

$0.60 ETB 95.9

$0.41 ETB 66.3

46.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 102

$0.51 ETB 82.3

23.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 ETB 123

$0.74 ETB 119

4.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 ETB 366

$1.95 ETB 313

16.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 ETB 172

$0.98 ETB 157

9.18%

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 ETB 193

$0.97 ETB 156

23.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.11 ETB 338

$1.02 ETB 164

106.86%

Eggs

$1.72 ETB 277

$1.71 ETB 275

0.58%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 ETB 1,167

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.10 ETB 1,621

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.16 ETB 1,471

$9.83 ETB 1,579

-6.82%

Apples (1kg)

$5.27 ETB 846

$3.08 ETB 495

71.10%

Banana (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 101

$1.01 ETB 163

-37.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.20 ETB 353

$2.03 ETB 326

8.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 107

$0.78 ETB 125

-14.10%

Potato (1kg)

$0.50 ETB 79.9

$0.64 ETB 103

-21.88%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ETB 170

$1.16 ETB 187

-8.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ETB 106

$1.03 ETB 165

-35.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 ETB 91.4

$0.52 ETB 83.7

9.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.92 ETB 1,273

Wine (Bottle)

$5.48 ETB 881

$3.96 ETB 636

38.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 ETB 105

$0.78 ETB 125

-15.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 ETB 198

$1.94 ETB 312

-36.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 ETB 210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 43.34

$0.49 ETB 78.3

-44.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.99 ETB 319

$2.05 ETB 329

-2.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 ETB 156

$0.99 ETB 159

-2.02%

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

$54.3K ETB 8.7M

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

$54.9K ETB 8.8M

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

$208 ETB 33.4K

$100 ETB 16.1K

107.46%

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

$7.28 ETB 1,170

$9.81 ETB 1,575

-25.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$210 ETB 33.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.32 ETB 7,920

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.3 ETB 9,523

Cinema Ticket

$3.86 ETB 620

$5.85 ETB 940

-34.02%

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

$137 ETB 22.0K

$49.73 ETB 7,986

175.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K ETB 4.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.35 ETB 5,356

$49.08 ETB 7,883

-32.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.0 ETB 11.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.5 ETB 12.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.1 ETB 13.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,995 ETB 320.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,505 ETB 241.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$202 ETB 32.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

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

Last update for Assela: August 31, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: August 30, 2026

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

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

Bahir Dar is cheaper overall, especially in Monthly Utilities & Internet, Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 124% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,254 in Assela and $560 in Bahir Dar to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 70% higher in Assela. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $137 in Assela versus $49.73 in Bahir Dar. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Bahir Dar gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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, Assela 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 124% less than in Assela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.