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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $823 per month in Hawassa vs $1,036 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,230 per month in Hawassa vs $1,427 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,637 per month in Hawassa vs $1,817 in Jimma, rent included.

Hawassa is about 21% cheaper than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Hawassa and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Hawassa 38% lower, Jimma 22% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.46 ETB 713

$4.73 ETB 755

-5.71%

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

$1.18 ETB 189

8.47%

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

$0.64 ETB 103

$0.56 ETB 89.4

14.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 69.8

$0.48 ETB 76.5

-8.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 163

$1.19 ETB 191

-14.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 ETB 488

$1.47 ETB 234

108.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 ETB 223

$1.19 ETB 191

16.81%

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ETB 213

$0.40 ETB 63.6

232.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 158

$1.13 ETB 180

-12.39%

Eggs

$1.58 ETB 253

$4.21 ETB 672

-62.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.01 ETB 1,119

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.95 ETB 2,227

$11.50 ETB 1,837

21.30%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.27 ETB 2,118

$11.73 ETB 1,874

13.13%

Apples (1kg)

$6.81 ETB 1,088

$2.32 ETB 371

193.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 165

$1.15 ETB 184

-10.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 364

$3.53 ETB 563

-35.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.00 ETB 159

$0.56 ETB 90.1

78.57%

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 100

$0.60 ETB 95.1

5.00%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 ETB 306

$3.54 ETB 566

-46.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 112

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 101

$0.60 ETB 96.2

5.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 ETB 620

Wine (Bottle)

$5.46 ETB 871

$6.66 ETB 1,064

-18.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 ETB 159

$1.17 ETB 187

-14.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 ETB 307

$1.48 ETB 236

29.73%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.06 ETB 2,246

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 ETB 240

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.71

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 314

$1.70 ETB 271

15.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 ETB 208

$1.77 ETB 282

-26.55%

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

$54.3K ETB 8.7M

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

5.38%

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

$54.5K ETB 8.7M

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

-5.04%

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

$156 ETB 25.0K

$62.5 ETB 9,975

150.48%

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

$11.85 ETB 1,892

$15.07 ETB 2,407

-21.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$130 ETB 20.7K

$309 ETB 49.4K

-58.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.15 ETB 5,454

Cinema Ticket

$5.61 ETB 895

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

$82.5 ETB 13.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.7K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.78 ETB 7,630

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$76.7 ETB 12.2K

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

-18.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.3 ETB 14.9K

$141 ETB 22.4K

-33.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 ETB 18.0K

$118 ETB 18.8K

-4.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 ETB 34.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$163 ETB 26.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 ETB 68.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 52.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$501 ETB 80.0K

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

-55.85%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.8K

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: July 28, 2026

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

Monthly costs with rent: $823 in Hawassa, $1,036 in Jimma – roughly 26% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,234 per month in Hawassa and $1,554 in Jimma. 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 $1,036 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 $823 in Hawassa and $1,036 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.