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: $836 in Assela versus $1,052 in Jimma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,195 in Assela versus $1,461 in Jimma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,554 in Assela versus $1,870 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 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.94 ETB 632

$4.62 ETB 742

-14.72%

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

$1.14 ETB 183

-16.67%

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

$0.60 ETB 95.9

$0.56 ETB 89.2

7.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 102

$0.48 ETB 77.2

31.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 ETB 123

$2.95 ETB 473

-73.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 ETB 366

$1.43 ETB 230

59.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 ETB 172

$1.14 ETB 183

-6.14%

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 ETB 193

$0.37 ETB 60.0

224.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.11 ETB 338

$1.17 ETB 189

80.34%

Eggs

$1.72 ETB 277

$4.12 ETB 661

-58.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 ETB 1,167

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.10 ETB 1,621

$11.78 ETB 1,891

-14.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.16 ETB 1,471

$11.39 ETB 1,829

-19.58%

Apples (1kg)

$5.27 ETB 846

$2.37 ETB 381

122.36%

Banana (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 101

$1.15 ETB 185

-45.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.20 ETB 353

$3.42 ETB 549

-35.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 107

$0.60 ETB 97.0

11.67%

Potato (1kg)

$0.50 ETB 79.9

$0.60 ETB 96.9

-16.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ETB 170

$3.48 ETB 559

-69.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ETB 106

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 ETB 91.4

$0.56 ETB 90.5

1.79%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.92 ETB 1,273

Wine (Bottle)

$5.48 ETB 881

$6.91 ETB 1,110

-20.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 ETB 105

$1.19 ETB 192

-44.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 ETB 198

$1.42 ETB 229

-13.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.92 ETB 2,235

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 ETB 210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 43.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.99 ETB 319

$1.70 ETB 273

17.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 ETB 156

$1.70 ETB 274

-42.94%

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

$54.3K ETB 8.7M

$51.8K ETB 8.3M

4.79%

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

$54.9K ETB 8.8M

$57.8K ETB 9.3M

-4.93%

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

$208 ETB 33.4K

$62.9 ETB 10.1K

230.35%

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

$7.28 ETB 1,170

$37.35 ETB 5,998

-80.51%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$210 ETB 33.8K

$310 ETB 49.8K

-32.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.34 ETB 5,515

Cinema Ticket

$3.86 ETB 620

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

$137 ETB 22.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K ETB 4.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.35 ETB 5,356

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.0 ETB 11.2K

$92.6 ETB 14.9K

-24.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.5 ETB 12.8K

$141 ETB 22.7K

-43.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.1 ETB 13.3K

$116 ETB 18.7K

-28.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$211 ETB 33.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$434 ETB 69.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$315 ETB 50.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,308 ETB 370.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,167 ETB 187.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 37.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

105.56%

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

Last update for Assela: August 31, 2026

Last update for Jimma: August 31, 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 Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 26% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,254 in Assela and $1,577 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 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $836 per month in Assela versus $1,052 in Jimma – a 26% 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 26% less than in Jimma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.