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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $823 per month in Hawassa vs $373 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,230 per month in Hawassa vs $568 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,637 per month in Hawassa vs $764 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Hawassa costs about 121% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Hawassa and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Hawassa 38% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.46 ETB 713

$3.40 ETB 543

31.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.65 ETB 5,534

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.53 ETB 1,044

Cappuccino

$1.28 ETB 205

$0.98 ETB 157

30.61%

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

$0.64 ETB 103

$0.41 ETB 65.8

56.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 69.8

$0.52 ETB 83.7

-15.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 163

$0.74 ETB 117

37.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 ETB 488

$1.99 ETB 317

53.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 ETB 223

$0.98 ETB 157

41.84%

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ETB 213

$0.99 ETB 158

34.34%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 158

$1.02 ETB 163

-2.94%

Eggs

$1.58 ETB 253

$1.77 ETB 282

-10.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.01 ETB 1,119

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.95 ETB 2,227

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.27 ETB 2,118

$10.14 ETB 1,619

30.87%

Apples (1kg)

$6.81 ETB 1,088

$2.97 ETB 474

129.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 165

$1.01 ETB 162

1.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 364

$2.04 ETB 326

11.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.00 ETB 159

$0.78 ETB 125

28.21%

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 100

$0.62 ETB 99.6

1.61%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 ETB 306

$1.17 ETB 187

63.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 112

$1.01 ETB 161

-30.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 101

$0.48 ETB 76.9

31.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 ETB 620

Wine (Bottle)

$5.46 ETB 871

$4.07 ETB 649

34.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 ETB 159

$0.84 ETB 133

19.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 ETB 307

$1.99 ETB 317

-3.52%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 ETB 240

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.71

$0.48 ETB 76.7

-43.75%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 314

$1.97 ETB 315

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 ETB 208

$1.03 ETB 164

26.21%

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

$54.3K ETB 8.7M

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

$54.5K ETB 8.7M

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

$156 ETB 25.0K

$101 ETB 16.1K

54.81%

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

$11.85 ETB 1,892

$9.95 ETB 1,590

19.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$130 ETB 20.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.9 ETB 8,133

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$61.1 ETB 9,754

Cinema Ticket

$5.61 ETB 895

$6.14 ETB 980

-8.63%

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

$82.5 ETB 13.2K

$50.4 ETB 8,047

63.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.7K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.78 ETB 7,630

$49.40 ETB 7,889

-3.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$76.7 ETB 12.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.3 ETB 14.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 ETB 18.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,008 ETB 320.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$501 ETB 80.0K

$1,489 ETB 237.8K

-66.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$198 ETB 31.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Hawassa: July 28, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: July 26, 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

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

Hawassa costs about 121% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,234 per month in Hawassa and $559 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $823 in Hawassa and $373 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 107% more in Hawassa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $823 in Hawassa and $373 in Bahir Dar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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, Hawassa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.