Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Adama Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Adama

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,036 per month in Jimma vs $1,078 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,427 per month in Jimma vs $1,761 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,817 per month in Jimma vs $2,443 in Adama, rent included.

Jimma is about 4% cheaper than Adama, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Adama are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 22% lower, Adama 19% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.73 ETB 755

$3.02 ETB 483

56.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.39 ETB 5,651

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.97 ETB 794

Cappuccino

$1.18 ETB 189

$1.25 ETB 199

-5.60%

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

$0.56 ETB 89.4

$0.64 ETB 102

-12.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 76.5

$0.31 ETB 50.2

54.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.19 ETB 191

$0.98 ETB 157

21.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 234

$2.94 ETB 469

-50.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 191

$1.38 ETB 221

-13.77%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.6

$1.33 ETB 213

-69.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 180

$2.15 ETB 343

-47.44%

Eggs

$4.21 ETB 672

$2.50 ETB 399

68.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.94 ETB 1,109

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.50 ETB 1,837

$14.03 ETB 2,241

-18.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.73 ETB 1,874

$13.32 ETB 2,128

-11.94%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 ETB 371

$6.70 ETB 1,070

-65.37%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 184

$1.02 ETB 163

12.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.53 ETB 563

$2.25 ETB 359

56.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 90.1

$0.97 ETB 154

-42.27%

Potato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 95.1

$0.68 ETB 108

-11.76%

Onion (1kg)

$3.54 ETB 566

$1.84 ETB 294

92.39%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 ETB 102

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 ETB 96.2

$0.64 ETB 102

-6.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.89 ETB 622

Wine (Bottle)

$6.66 ETB 1,064

$5.66 ETB 903

17.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ETB 187

$1.00 ETB 160

17.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 236

$1.82 ETB 291

-18.68%

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)

$0.29 ETB 46.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 271

$1.97 ETB 315

-13.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.77 ETB 282

$1.29 ETB 206

37.21%

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

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

-5.85%

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

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

$53.5K ETB 8.5M

7.35%

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

$62.5 ETB 9,975

$158 ETB 25.3K

-60.54%

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

$15.07 ETB 2,407

$12.11 ETB 1,934

24.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$309 ETB 49.4K

$132 ETB 21.1K

134.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.15 ETB 5,454

Cinema Ticket

$5.64 ETB 900

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

$81.5 ETB 13.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.27 ETB 7,549

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

$76.1 ETB 12.2K

23.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.4K

$92.8 ETB 14.8K

51.38%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 ETB 18.8K

$116 ETB 18.6K

1.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 ETB 34.2K

$494 ETB 78.9K

-56.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$163 ETB 26.1K

$304 ETB 48.6K

-46.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 ETB 68.5K

$988 ETB 157.7K

-56.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 52.1K

$794 ETB 126.8K

-58.92%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.8K

$101 ETB 16.2K

120.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-47.06%

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

Last update for Jimma: July 26, 2026

Last update for Adama: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $214 in Jimma versus $494 in Adama. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 121% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Jimma vs Adama: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,036 in Jimma, $1,078 in Adama – roughly 4% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,554 per month in Jimma and $1,617 in Adama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jimma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,036 in Jimma and $1,078 in Adama. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 31% more in Adama, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,036, than in Adama at $1,078. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – 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 Jimma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.