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: $372 in Bahir Dar versus $806 in Assela.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $560 in Bahir Dar versus $1,237 in Assela.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $748 in Bahir Dar versus $1,669 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 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.60 ETB 567

$4.60 ETB 725

-21.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.67 ETB 5,622

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.32 ETB 996

Cappuccino

$1.02 ETB 161

$1.29 ETB 203

-20.93%

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

$0.43 ETB 68.3

11.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.78 ETB 123

$0.98 ETB 154

-20.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 ETB 313

$2.93 ETB 462

-32.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 ETB 160

$1.44 ETB 228

-29.86%

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 ETB 160

$1.32 ETB 209

-23.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 156

$2.17 ETB 343

-54.38%

Eggs

$1.76 ETB 277

$2.46 ETB 388

-28.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.00 ETB 1,104

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.87 ETB 2,185

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.96 ETB 1,569

$13.40 ETB 2,112

-25.67%

Apples (1kg)

$2.94 ETB 463

$6.84 ETB 1,078

-57.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.03 ETB 162

-0.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.97 ETB 310

$2.19 ETB 345

-10.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.77 ETB 122

$0.97 ETB 153

-20.62%

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 105

$0.63 ETB 99.6

6.35%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ETB 185

$1.88 ETB 296

-37.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 155

$0.70 ETB 110

40.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ETB 81.6

$0.69 ETB 108

-24.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 ETB 636

Wine (Bottle)

$4.03 ETB 636

$5.70 ETB 899

-29.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ETB 121

$0.99 ETB 156

-22.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 ETB 313

$1.84 ETB 290

7.61%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 ETB 228

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.52 ETB 81.2

$0.27 ETB 42.53

92.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 ETB 312

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.29 ETB 204

-20.93%

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

$55.2K ETB 8.7M

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

$54.6K ETB 8.6M

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

$100 ETB 15.8K

$159 ETB 25.0K

-36.71%

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

$9.90 ETB 1,560

$11.83 ETB 1,864

-16.31%

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

$5.77 ETB 910

3.47%

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

$50.3 ETB 7,927

$79.9 ETB 12.6K

-37.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.0K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.9 ETB 8,024

$46.94 ETB 7,398

8.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.1 ETB 11.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ETB 14.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ETB 18.1K

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

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 Assela: June 1, 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 117% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $557 in Bahir Dar and $1,208 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 116% higher in Assela. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $50.3 in Bahir Dar versus $79.9 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 117% less than in Assela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.