Cost of Living Comparison Between Hawassa and JimmaCost of Living Comparison Between Hawassa and Jimma
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $822 per month in Hawassa vs $1,030 in Jimma, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,230 per month in Hawassa vs $1,424 in Jimma, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,638 per month in Hawassa vs $1,818 in Jimma, rent included.
🙂Hawassa is about 20% cheaper than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Hawassa and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Hawassa39% lower, Jimma23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.41ETB 688
$4.72ETB 736
-6.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.09ETB 5,476
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.58ETB 1,027
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.23ETB 192
$1.19ETB 186
3.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64ETB 100
$0.60ETB 93.8
6.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43ETB 67.4
$0.44ETB 68.5
-2.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02ETB 159
$1.21ETB 188
-15.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ETB 463
$1.48ETB 231
100.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.39ETB 217
$1.17ETB 183
18.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.34ETB 208
$0.40ETB 61.7
235.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03ETB 160
$1.13ETB 177
-8.85%
Eggs
$1.60ETB 250
$4.26ETB 664
-62.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.21ETB 1,126
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.92ETB 2,172
$11.59ETB 1,809
20.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.28ETB 2,072
$11.66ETB 1,820
13.89%
Apples(1kg)
$6.76ETB 1,055
$2.28ETB 357
196.49%
Banana(1kg)
$0.97ETB 151
$1.15ETB 179
-15.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16ETB 337
$3.48ETB 543
-37.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.90ETB 141
$0.61ETB 94.9
47.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67ETB 105
$0.61ETB 95.0
9.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91ETB 299
$3.52ETB 549
-45.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68ETB 107
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63ETB 97.9
$0.55ETB 86.4
14.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02ETB 628
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.76ETB 899
$6.97ETB 1,088
-17.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.00ETB 156
$1.19ETB 185
-15.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84ETB 287
$1.49ETB 232
23.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.24ETB 37.60
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$13.70ETB 2,138
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49ETB 233
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27ETB 41.99
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.05ETB 319
$1.79ETB 280
14.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24ETB 193
$1.75ETB 273
-29.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.1KETB 8.6M
$52.8KETB 8.2M
4.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.0KETB 8.3M
$57.3KETB 8.9M
-7.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158ETB 24.7K
$64.7ETB 10.1K
144.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.98ETB 1,870
$15.01ETB 2,343
-20.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$131ETB 20.4K
$321ETB 50.0K
-59.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$34.37ETB 5,364
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.54ETB 865
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$81.7ETB 12.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$40.9KETB 6.4M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.79ETB 7,459
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.0ETB 11.7K
$92.7ETB 14.5K
-19.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.5ETB 14.4K
$141ETB 22.0K
-34.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116ETB 18.1K
$114ETB 17.8K
1.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$212ETB 33.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$162ETB 25.3K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$422ETB 65.9K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$326ETB 50.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,341ETB 365.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$503ETB 78.4K
$1,196ETB 186.6K
-57.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hawassa
Jimma
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$232ETB 36.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17
9
88.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hawassa: April 25, 2026
Last update for Jimma: April 25, 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
How do living costs in Hawassa and Jimma compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $822 in Hawassa, $1,030 in Jimma – roughly 25% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hawassa compared to Jimma?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,232 per month in Hawassa and $1,545 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hawassa or Jimma?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $822 in Hawassa and $1,030 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hawassa, where all-in costs run around $822, than in Jimma at $1,030. In Hawassa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Hawassa or Jimma?
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.
How do I decide between Hawassa and Jimma?
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.