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: $817 in Assela versus $379 in Bahir Dar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,242 in Assela versus $563 in Bahir Dar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,667 in Assela versus $747 in Bahir Dar.

Living in Assela is roughly 116% more expensive than in Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Assela 39% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.59 ETB 727

$3.52 ETB 558

30.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.32 ETB 5,599

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.54 ETB 1,036

Cappuccino

$1.30 ETB 205

$0.97 ETB 154

34.02%

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

$0.69 ETB 110

$0.38 ETB 60.6

81.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ETB 74.2

$0.49 ETB 77.0

-4.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.01 ETB 160

$0.73 ETB 115

38.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 ETB 488

$2.06 ETB 326

49.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 ETB 219

$1.02 ETB 162

35.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 ETB 210

$0.99 ETB 157

33.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 ETB 336

$0.99 ETB 157

114.14%

Eggs

$2.49 ETB 395

$1.70 ETB 270

46.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,106

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.67 ETB 2,166

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.17 ETB 2,087

$10.19 ETB 1,615

29.24%

Apples (1kg)

$6.72 ETB 1,064

$2.91 ETB 462

130.93%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 161

$0.98 ETB 156

4.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.27 ETB 360

$2.03 ETB 322

11.82%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 157

$0.76 ETB 121

30.26%

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.62 ETB 97.9

9.68%

Onion (1kg)

$1.92 ETB 304

$1.17 ETB 186

64.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

$0.98 ETB 156

-29.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.51 ETB 81.4

33.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 ETB 626

Wine (Bottle)

$5.66 ETB 897

$4.08 ETB 646

38.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ETB 157

$0.78 ETB 124

26.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 ETB 291

$1.95 ETB 309

-6.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ETB 225

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.54

$0.51 ETB 80.9

-43.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 325

$1.97 ETB 313

4.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 ETB 206

$1.03 ETB 163

26.21%

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

$54.0K ETB 8.6M

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

$53.8K ETB 8.5M

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

$157 ETB 24.9K

$100 ETB 15.9K

56.37%

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

$12.04 ETB 1,909

$10.06 ETB 1,595

19.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.45 ETB 7,838

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.7 ETB 9,627

Cinema Ticket

$5.76 ETB 914

$6.10 ETB 967

-5.57%

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

$80.2 ETB 12.7K

$49.33 ETB 7,819

62.58%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.8K ETB 6.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.74 ETB 7,409

$49.82 ETB 7,897

-6.18%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.9 ETB 11.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.5 ETB 15.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 ETB 17.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,023 ETB 320.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,485 ETB 235.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$203 ETB 32.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Assela: July 12, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: July 12, 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 116% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,225 in Assela and $568 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 113% higher in Assela. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $80.2 in Assela versus $49.33 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 116% less than in Assela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.