Cost of Living Comparison Between Hawassa and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Hawassa and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $822 per month in Hawassa vs $1,071 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,202 per month in Hawassa vs $1,453 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,582 per month in Hawassa vs $1,836 in Jimma, rent included.

Hawassa is about 23% cheaper than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Hawassa and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Hawassa 40% lower, Jimma 22% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.98 ETB 640

$4.67 ETB 751

-14.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.30 ETB 6,961

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.63 ETB 1,065

Cappuccino

$0.90 ETB 144

$1.13 ETB 181

-20.35%

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

$0.58 ETB 93.5

$0.60 ETB 96.3

-3.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 ETB 102

$0.48 ETB 77.6

33.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.81 ETB 131

$2.82 ETB 453

-71.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 ETB 358

$1.49 ETB 239

49.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 ETB 178

$1.13 ETB 182

-1.77%

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 ETB 194

$0.41 ETB 65.2

195.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 158

$1.14 ETB 183

-14.04%

Eggs

$1.60 ETB 258

$4.29 ETB 690

-62.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.18 ETB 1,154

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.17 ETB 1,634

$11.45 ETB 1,840

-11.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.13 ETB 1,468

$11.80 ETB 1,897

-22.63%

Apples (1kg)

$5.46 ETB 877

$2.26 ETB 363

141.59%

Banana (1kg)

$0.64 ETB 103

$1.18 ETB 189

-45.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.24 ETB 361

$3.52 ETB 567

-36.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.66 ETB 106

$0.55 ETB 88.7

20.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.50 ETB 80.7

$0.61 ETB 97.4

-18.03%

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 ETB 175

$3.45 ETB 554

-68.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ETB 98.7

$0.56 ETB 90.4

8.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.22 ETB 1,321

Wine (Bottle)

$5.48 ETB 881

$6.91 ETB 1,111

-20.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ETB 116

$1.14 ETB 184

-36.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.27 ETB 204

$1.48 ETB 238

-14.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.80 ETB 2,218

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 ETB 210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 330

$1.70 ETB 273

20.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 ETB 155

$1.71 ETB 275

-43.86%

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

$54.2K ETB 8.7M

$52.7K ETB 8.5M

2.88%

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

$54.5K ETB 8.8M

$59.2K ETB 9.5M

-7.97%

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

$207 ETB 33.3K

$63.5 ETB 10.2K

225.95%

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

$7.44 ETB 1,196

$37.71 ETB 6,062

-80.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$216 ETB 34.8K

$310 ETB 49.8K

-30.27%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.14 ETB 5,649

Cinema Ticket

$3.67 ETB 590

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

$135 ETB 21.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K ETB 4.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.27 ETB 5,349

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$69.8 ETB 11.2K

$94.5 ETB 15.2K

-26.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.5 ETB 12.5K

$137 ETB 22.0K

-43.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.4 ETB 13.1K

$117 ETB 18.7K

-30.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 34.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 26.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$420 ETB 67.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$323 ETB 52.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,292 ETB 368.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$491 ETB 79.0K

$1,181 ETB 189.8K

-58.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$234 ETB 37.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

105.56%

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

Last update for Hawassa: September 6, 2026

Last update for Jimma: September 7, 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 Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $822 in Hawassa, $1,071 in Jimma – roughly 30% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,232 per month in Hawassa and $1,606 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $822 in Hawassa and $1,071 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Jimma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hawassa, where all-in costs run around $822, than in Jimma at $1,071. In Hawassa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

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