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 $1,030 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 – Hawassa 39% lower, Jimma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.41 ETB 689

$4.72 ETB 737

-6.57%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.09 ETB 5,484

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.58 ETB 1,029

Cappuccino

$1.23 ETB 193

$1.19 ETB 186

3.36%

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

$0.64 ETB 100

$0.60 ETB 94.0

6.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 67.5

$0.44 ETB 68.6

-2.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.21 ETB 189

-15.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 ETB 464

$1.48 ETB 231

100.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 ETB 218

$1.17 ETB 183

18.80%

White Bread (500g)

$1.34 ETB 209

$0.40 ETB 61.8

235.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 161

$1.13 ETB 177

-8.85%

Eggs

$1.60 ETB 251

$4.26 ETB 665

-62.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.21 ETB 1,127

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.92 ETB 2,175

$11.59 ETB 1,812

20.10%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.28 ETB 2,075

$11.66 ETB 1,823

13.89%

Apples (1kg)

$6.76 ETB 1,057

$2.28 ETB 357

196.49%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 ETB 152

$1.15 ETB 180

-15.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 ETB 338

$3.48 ETB 544

-37.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 ETB 141

$0.61 ETB 95.1

47.54%

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 105

$0.61 ETB 95.1

9.84%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 ETB 299

$3.52 ETB 550

-45.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 ETB 107

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 98.1

$0.55 ETB 86.5

14.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.02 ETB 629

Wine (Bottle)

$5.76 ETB 900

$6.97 ETB 1,090

-17.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 ETB 156

$1.19 ETB 185

-15.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.84 ETB 288

$1.49 ETB 232

23.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 37.66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,141

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 ETB 233

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 ETB 320

$1.79 ETB 280

14.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ETB 194

$1.75 ETB 274

-29.14%

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

$55.1K ETB 8.6M

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

4.42%

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

$53.0K ETB 8.3M

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

-7.42%

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

$158 ETB 24.7K

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

144.45%

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

$11.98 ETB 1,872

$15.01 ETB 2,346

-20.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$131 ETB 20.5K

$321 ETB 50.1K

-59.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.37 ETB 5,372

Cinema Ticket

$5.54 ETB 866

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

$81.7 ETB 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.9K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.79 ETB 7,470

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.0 ETB 11.7K

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

-19.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.5 ETB 14.5K

$141 ETB 22.0K

-34.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.2K

$114 ETB 17.8K

1.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 33.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$422 ETB 66.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,341 ETB 365.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$503 ETB 78.5K

$1,196 ETB 186.9K

-57.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$232 ETB 36.3K

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: 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.