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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Jimma vs $1,113 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,428 per month in Jimma vs $1,782 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,823 per month in Jimma vs $2,451 in Adama, rent included.

Jimma is about 7% cheaper than Adama, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Adama are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 23% lower, Adama 17% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.50 ETB 714

$3.03 ETB 480

48.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.50 ETB 5,468

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.10 ETB 808

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.27 ETB 202

-11.02%

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

$0.60 ETB 95.4

$0.69 ETB 109

-13.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ETB 74.7

$0.31 ETB 49.29

51.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 190

$0.99 ETB 156

21.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 233

$3.02 ETB 478

-51.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 188

$1.45 ETB 231

-17.93%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.2

$1.35 ETB 214

-70.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 187

$2.12 ETB 336

-44.34%

Eggs

$4.16 ETB 659

$2.41 ETB 382

72.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.22 ETB 1,145

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.42 ETB 1,810

$14.10 ETB 2,235

-19.01%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 ETB 1,826

$13.43 ETB 2,129

-14.22%

Apples (1kg)

$2.29 ETB 363

$6.75 ETB 1,070

-66.07%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$0.96 ETB 152

19.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.46 ETB 548

$2.19 ETB 347

57.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 87.9

$0.98 ETB 156

-43.88%

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 89.5

$0.67 ETB 107

-16.42%

Onion (1kg)

$3.43 ETB 543

$1.89 ETB 300

81.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ETB 96.0

$0.63 ETB 99.8

-3.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.93 ETB 623

Wine (Bottle)

$6.86 ETB 1,088

$5.53 ETB 876

24.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.04 ETB 165

8.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 ETB 227

$1.89 ETB 300

-24.34%

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)

$1.44 ETB 228

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.09

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 ETB 279

$2.05 ETB 324

-14.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.77 ETB 280

$1.29 ETB 205

37.21%

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

$52.2K ETB 8.3M

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

-4.47%

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

$57.6K ETB 9.1M

$54.7K ETB 8.7M

5.26%

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

$63.2 ETB 10.0K

$162 ETB 25.6K

-60.89%

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

$15.34 ETB 2,431

$11.84 ETB 1,877

29.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$313 ETB 49.6K

$129 ETB 20.4K

143.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.61 ETB 5,485

Cinema Ticket

$5.63 ETB 893

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

$80.5 ETB 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.44 ETB 7,361

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

$75.1 ETB 11.9K

23.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.2K

$92.3 ETB 14.6K

51.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 18.1K

$112 ETB 17.8K

1.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$217 ETB 34.4K

$509 ETB 80.6K

-57.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.1K

$302 ETB 47.9K

-47.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$418 ETB 66.3K

$1,005 ETB 159.3K

-58.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.7K

$791 ETB 125.4K

-58.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,277 ETB 360.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,149 ETB 182.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 36.9K

$101 ETB 15.9K

131.56%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Adama: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $217 in Jimma versus $509 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 132% 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: $1,034 in Jimma, $1,113 in Adama – roughly 8% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,551 per month in Jimma and $1,670 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 $1,034 in Jimma and $1,113 in Adama. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 33% 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 $1,034, than in Adama at $1,113. 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.