Cost of Living Comparison Between Assela and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Assela and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $817 in Assela versus $1,022 in Jimma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,242 in Assela versus $1,412 in Jimma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,667 in Assela versus $1,802 in Jimma.

Living in Assela costs roughly 20% less than in Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Assela 39% lower, Jimma 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.59 ETB 727

$4.71 ETB 746

-2.55%

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

$1.13 ETB 178

15.04%

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

$0.69 ETB 110

$0.60 ETB 94.9

15.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ETB 74.2

$0.48 ETB 75.5

-2.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.01 ETB 160

$1.22 ETB 193

-17.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 ETB 488

$1.48 ETB 235

108.11%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 ETB 219

$1.18 ETB 187

16.95%

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 ETB 210

$0.40 ETB 63.0

230.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 ETB 336

$1.15 ETB 182

84.35%

Eggs

$2.49 ETB 395

$4.23 ETB 671

-41.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,106

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.67 ETB 2,166

$11.41 ETB 1,808

19.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.17 ETB 2,087

$11.53 ETB 1,828

14.22%

Apples (1kg)

$6.72 ETB 1,064

$2.38 ETB 377

182.35%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 161

$1.15 ETB 182

-11.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.27 ETB 360

$3.39 ETB 537

-33.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 157

$0.59 ETB 93.7

67.80%

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.59 ETB 94.1

15.25%

Onion (1kg)

$1.92 ETB 304

$3.44 ETB 545

-44.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 ETB 108

$0.55 ETB 87.5

23.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 ETB 626

Wine (Bottle)

$5.66 ETB 897

$6.94 ETB 1,101

-18.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ETB 157

$1.14 ETB 180

-13.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 ETB 291

$1.42 ETB 225

28.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.72 ETB 2,174

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ETB 225

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.54

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 325

$1.72 ETB 272

19.19%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 ETB 206

$1.69 ETB 269

-23.08%

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

$54.0K ETB 8.6M

$53.1K ETB 8.4M

1.70%

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

$53.8K ETB 8.5M

$56.9K ETB 9.0M

-5.45%

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

$157 ETB 24.9K

$63.4 ETB 10.1K

147.53%

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

$12.04 ETB 1,909

$15.13 ETB 2,398

-20.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.5K

$310 ETB 49.1K

-58.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.16 ETB 5,415

Cinema Ticket

$5.76 ETB 914

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

$80.2 ETB 12.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.8K ETB 6.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.74 ETB 7,409

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.9 ETB 11.7K

$91.7 ETB 14.5K

-19.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.5 ETB 15.0K

$137 ETB 21.7K

-30.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 ETB 17.8K

$115 ETB 18.2K

-1.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$210 ETB 33.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$419 ETB 66.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$325 ETB 51.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,320 ETB 367.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,144 ETB 181.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

88.89%

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

Last update for Assela: July 12, 2026

Last update for Jimma: July 13, 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 Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Assela is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 25% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,225 in Assela and $1,533 in Jimma 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.

Shoppers in Jimma pay roughly 31% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $817 per month in Assela versus $1,022 in Jimma – a 25% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Assela 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 Jimma 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 Assela gentler on the wallet – expenses run 25% less than in Jimma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.