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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $372 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,111 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $560 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,770 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $748 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,429 in Adama, rent included.

Bahir Dar is about 67% cheaper than Adama, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Bahir Dar and Adama are more affordable than the global median – Bahir Dar 72% lower, Adama 17% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.60 ETB 567

$3.03 ETB 478

18.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.22 ETB 5,551

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 ETB 790

Cappuccino

$1.02 ETB 161

$1.23 ETB 194

-17.07%

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

$0.42 ETB 65.9

$0.64 ETB 101

-34.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 76.3

$0.29 ETB 45.70

65.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.78 ETB 123

$0.98 ETB 155

-20.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 ETB 313

$3.03 ETB 478

-34.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 ETB 160

$1.41 ETB 222

-28.37%

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 ETB 160

$1.29 ETB 203

-21.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 156

$2.13 ETB 335

-53.52%

Eggs

$1.76 ETB 277

$2.49 ETB 392

-29.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,100

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.77 ETB 2,171

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.96 ETB 1,569

$13.54 ETB 2,134

-26.44%

Apples (1kg)

$2.94 ETB 463

$6.80 ETB 1,072

-56.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.04 ETB 163

-1.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.97 ETB 310

$2.16 ETB 341

-8.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.77 ETB 122

$0.91 ETB 144

-15.38%

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 105

$0.63 ETB 99.1

6.35%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ETB 185

$1.88 ETB 297

-37.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 155

$0.66 ETB 104

48.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ETB 81.6

$0.68 ETB 107

-23.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 ETB 636

Wine (Bottle)

$4.03 ETB 636

$5.56 ETB 876

-27.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ETB 121

$1.05 ETB 165

-26.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 ETB 313

$1.91 ETB 301

3.66%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 ETB 232

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.52 ETB 81.2

$0.29 ETB 46.01

79.31%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 ETB 312

$1.95 ETB 307

1.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.31 ETB 206

-22.14%

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

$55.8K ETB 8.8M

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)

$100 ETB 15.8K

$162 ETB 25.5K

-37.84%

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

$9.90 ETB 1,560

$12.17 ETB 1,917

-18.65%

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

$5.97 ETB 941

$5.74 ETB 904

4.01%

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

$50.3 ETB 7,927

$80.8 ETB 12.7K

-37.76%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.9 ETB 8,024

$47.03 ETB 7,412

8.25%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.6 ETB 11.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.0 ETB 14.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 18.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 ETB 79.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$296 ETB 46.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$983 ETB 154.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$806 ETB 127.1K

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

$101 ETB 15.9K

96.63%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 2026

Last update for Adama: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 97% higher in Bahir Dar, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $372 in Bahir Dar, $1,111 in Adama – roughly 199% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $557 per month in Bahir Dar and $1,666 in Adama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $50.3 per month in Bahir Dar and $80.8 in Adama. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $372 in Bahir Dar and $1,111 in Adama. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $372, than in Adama at $1,111. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Bahir Dar – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.