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 $379 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,093 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $563 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,744 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $747 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,395 in Adama, rent included.

Bahir Dar is about 65% 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 18% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.52 ETB 558

$3.06 ETB 485

15.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.62 ETB 5,487

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.11 ETB 810

Cappuccino

$0.97 ETB 154

$1.27 ETB 202

-23.62%

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

$0.38 ETB 60.6

$0.69 ETB 110

-44.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 ETB 77.0

$0.31 ETB 49.47

58.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.73 ETB 115

$1.03 ETB 163

-29.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 ETB 326

$3.06 ETB 486

-32.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 ETB 162

$1.40 ETB 221

-27.14%

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 ETB 157

$1.34 ETB 212

-26.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 157

$2.14 ETB 339

-53.74%

Eggs

$1.70 ETB 270

$2.48 ETB 394

-31.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.18 ETB 1,139

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.83 ETB 2,192

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.19 ETB 1,615

$13.55 ETB 2,148

-24.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.91 ETB 462

$6.58 ETB 1,042

-55.78%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 156

$0.98 ETB 155

Oranges (1kg)

$2.03 ETB 322

$2.23 ETB 354

-8.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 ETB 121

$0.91 ETB 144

-16.48%

Potato (1kg)

$0.62 ETB 97.9

$0.64 ETB 101

-3.13%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ETB 186

$1.81 ETB 287

-35.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 156

$0.64 ETB 102

53.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ETB 81.4

$0.65 ETB 102

-21.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 ETB 652

Wine (Bottle)

$4.08 ETB 646

$5.72 ETB 907

-28.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 ETB 124

$1.04 ETB 164

-25.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 ETB 309

$1.83 ETB 291

6.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ETB 225

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.51 ETB 80.9

$0.29 ETB 46.38

75.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 313

$2.03 ETB 322

-2.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 ETB 163

$1.29 ETB 205

-20.16%

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

$55.5K ETB 8.8M

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

$53.7K ETB 8.5M

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

$100 ETB 15.9K

$159 ETB 25.1K

-36.70%

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

$10.06 ETB 1,595

$12.06 ETB 1,912

-16.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.45 ETB 7,838

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.7 ETB 9,627

Cinema Ticket

$6.10 ETB 967

$5.59 ETB 886

9.12%

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

$49.33 ETB 7,819

$81.2 ETB 12.9K

-39.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.1K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.82 ETB 7,897

$46.90 ETB 7,434

6.23%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.5 ETB 11.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.7 ETB 14.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$502 ETB 79.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$297 ETB 47.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,015 ETB 160.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$789 ETB 125.1K

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

$99.5 ETB 15.8K

104.59%

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Adama: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 105% 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: $379 in Bahir Dar, $1,093 in Adama – roughly 189% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $568 per month in Bahir Dar and $1,640 in Adama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $49.33 per month in Bahir Dar and $81.2 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 $379 in Bahir Dar and $1,093 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 $379, than in Adama at $1,093. 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.