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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $379 in Bahir Dar versus $817 in Assela.

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

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

Living in Bahir Dar costs roughly 54% less than in Assela, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.52 ETB 558

$4.59 ETB 727

-23.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.32 ETB 5,599

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.54 ETB 1,036

Cappuccino

$0.97 ETB 154

$1.30 ETB 205

-25.38%

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

$0.47 ETB 74.2

4.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.73 ETB 115

$1.01 ETB 160

-27.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 ETB 326

$3.08 ETB 488

-33.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 ETB 162

$1.38 ETB 219

-26.09%

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 ETB 157

$1.32 ETB 210

-25.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 157

$2.12 ETB 336

-53.30%

Eggs

$1.70 ETB 270

$2.49 ETB 395

-31.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,106

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.67 ETB 2,166

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.19 ETB 1,615

$13.17 ETB 2,087

-22.63%

Apples (1kg)

$2.91 ETB 462

$6.72 ETB 1,064

-56.70%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 156

$1.02 ETB 161

-3.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.03 ETB 322

$2.27 ETB 360

-10.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 ETB 121

$0.99 ETB 157

-23.23%

Potato (1kg)

$0.62 ETB 97.9

$0.68 ETB 108

-8.82%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ETB 186

$1.92 ETB 304

-39.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 156

$0.69 ETB 109

42.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ETB 81.4

$0.68 ETB 108

-25.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 ETB 626

Wine (Bottle)

$4.08 ETB 646

$5.66 ETB 897

-27.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 ETB 124

$0.99 ETB 157

-21.21%

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 46.54

75.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 313

$2.05 ETB 325

-3.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 ETB 163

$1.30 ETB 206

-20.77%

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)

$100 ETB 15.9K

$157 ETB 24.9K

-36.05%

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

$10.06 ETB 1,595

$12.04 ETB 1,909

-16.45%

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

$6.10 ETB 967

$5.76 ETB 914

5.90%

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

$49.33 ETB 7,819

$80.2 ETB 12.7K

-38.49%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.8K ETB 6.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.82 ETB 7,897

$46.74 ETB 7,409

6.59%

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 Bahir Dar: July 12, 2026

Last update for Assela: 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

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

Bahir Dar is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 116% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $568 in Bahir Dar and $1,225 in Assela 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 $49.33 in Bahir Dar versus $80.2 in Assela. 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, Bahir Dar and Assela 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.