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: $806 in Assela versus $372 in Bahir Dar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,237 in Assela versus $560 in Bahir Dar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,669 in Assela versus $748 in Bahir Dar.

Living in Assela is roughly 117% more expensive than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Assela 40% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.60 ETB 725

$3.60 ETB 567

27.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.67 ETB 5,622

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.32 ETB 996

Cappuccino

$1.29 ETB 203

$1.02 ETB 161

26.47%

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

$0.64 ETB 101

$0.42 ETB 65.9

52.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 68.3

$0.48 ETB 76.3

-10.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 ETB 154

$0.78 ETB 123

25.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 ETB 462

$1.99 ETB 313

47.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 ETB 228

$1.01 ETB 160

42.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 ETB 209

$1.01 ETB 160

30.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 ETB 343

$0.99 ETB 156

119.19%

Eggs

$2.46 ETB 388

$1.76 ETB 277

39.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.00 ETB 1,104

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.87 ETB 2,185

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.40 ETB 2,112

$9.96 ETB 1,569

34.54%

Apples (1kg)

$6.84 ETB 1,078

$2.94 ETB 463

132.65%

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 162

$1.02 ETB 160

0.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 ETB 345

$1.97 ETB 310

11.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 ETB 153

$0.77 ETB 122

25.97%

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 99.6

$0.67 ETB 105

-5.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.88 ETB 296

$1.17 ETB 185

60.68%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 110

$0.98 ETB 155

-28.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 ETB 108

$0.52 ETB 81.6

32.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 ETB 636

Wine (Bottle)

$5.70 ETB 899

$4.03 ETB 636

41.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ETB 156

$0.77 ETB 121

28.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.84 ETB 290

$1.98 ETB 313

-7.07%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 ETB 228

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.53

$0.52 ETB 81.2

-48.08%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 ETB 312

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 ETB 204

$1.02 ETB 160

26.47%

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

$55.2K ETB 8.7M

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

$54.6K ETB 8.6M

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

$159 ETB 25.0K

$100 ETB 15.8K

58.01%

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

$11.83 ETB 1,864

$9.90 ETB 1,560

19.49%

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

$5.77 ETB 910

$5.97 ETB 941

-3.35%

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

$79.9 ETB 12.6K

$50.3 ETB 7,927

58.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.0K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.94 ETB 7,398

$50.9 ETB 8,024

-7.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.1 ETB 11.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ETB 14.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ETB 18.1K

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)

$198 ETB 31.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Assela: June 1, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 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 Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 117% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,208 in Assela and $557 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 116% higher in Assela. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $79.9 in Assela versus $50.3 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 117% less than in Assela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.