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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $793 per month in Hawassa vs $1,034 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,222 per month in Hawassa vs $1,428 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,650 per month in Hawassa vs $1,823 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 41% lower, Jimma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.45 ETB 705

$4.50 ETB 714

-1.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.62 ETB 5,645

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.63 ETB 1,051

Cappuccino

$1.25 ETB 198

$1.13 ETB 179

10.62%

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

$0.63 ETB 99.5

$0.60 ETB 95.4

5.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 68.9

$0.47 ETB 74.7

-8.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 162

$1.20 ETB 190

-15.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 ETB 474

$1.47 ETB 233

103.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 ETB 230

$1.19 ETB 188

21.85%

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 ETB 205

$0.40 ETB 63.2

225.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 162

$1.18 ETB 187

-13.56%

Eggs

$1.53 ETB 243

$4.16 ETB 659

-63.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.99 ETB 1,108

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.85 ETB 2,196

$11.42 ETB 1,810

21.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.16 ETB 2,086

$11.52 ETB 1,826

14.24%

Apples (1kg)

$6.79 ETB 1,076

$2.29 ETB 363

196.51%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 ETB 153

$1.15 ETB 182

-15.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 ETB 343

$3.46 ETB 548

-37.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 155

$0.55 ETB 87.9

78.18%

Potato (1kg)

$0.69 ETB 109

$0.56 ETB 89.5

23.21%

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 ETB 288

$3.43 ETB 543

-47.23%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ETB 101

$0.61 ETB 96.0

4.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.09 ETB 648

Wine (Bottle)

$5.56 ETB 881

$6.86 ETB 1,088

-18.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 ETB 159

$1.13 ETB 179

-11.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 ETB 303

$1.43 ETB 227

33.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.10

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,171

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 ETB 227

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.95 ETB 309

$1.76 ETB 279

10.80%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ETB 196

$1.77 ETB 280

-30.51%

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

$54.8K ETB 8.7M

$52.2K ETB 8.3M

5.01%

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

$54.4K ETB 8.6M

$57.6K ETB 9.1M

-5.59%

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

$161 ETB 25.6K

$63.2 ETB 10.0K

155.40%

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

$11.88 ETB 1,882

$15.34 ETB 2,431

-22.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$129 ETB 20.4K

$313 ETB 49.6K

-58.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.61 ETB 5,485

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ETB 917

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

$80.9 ETB 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.4K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.67 ETB 7,556

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.4 ETB 12.0K

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

-18.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

$140 ETB 22.2K

-33.69%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.4K

$114 ETB 18.1K

1.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$217 ETB 34.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$418 ETB 66.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,277 ETB 360.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$500 ETB 79.3K

$1,149 ETB 182.2K

-56.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 36.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

88.89%

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

Last update for Hawassa: June 6, 2026

Last update for Jimma: June 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: $793 in Hawassa, $1,034 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 $1,190 per month in Hawassa and $1,551 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $793 in Hawassa and $1,034 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 27% cheaper in Jimma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $793 in Hawassa and $1,034 in Jimma, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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.