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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,041 per month in Jimma vs $1,006 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,436 per month in Jimma vs $1,693 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,831 per month in Jimma vs $2,380 in Adama, rent included.

Jimma costs about 3% more than Adama, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Adama are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 24% lower, Adama 26% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.65 ETB 748

$3.06 ETB 491

51.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.54 ETB 6,834

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.07 ETB 815

Cappuccino

$1.15 ETB 184

$0.90 ETB 144

27.78%

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

$0.56 ETB 89.8

$0.60 ETB 96.3

-6.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 70.9

$0.31 ETB 49.92

41.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.84 ETB 456

$0.77 ETB 124

268.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 ETB 228

$2.23 ETB 357

-36.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 ETB 189

$0.84 ETB 135

40.48%

White Bread (500g)

$0.37 ETB 58.7

$1.18 ETB 190

-68.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 181

$2.12 ETB 341

-46.70%

Eggs

$4.14 ETB 665

$1.75 ETB 281

136.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 ETB 1,213

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.56 ETB 1,858

$10.28 ETB 1,652

12.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.62 ETB 1,866

$9.35 ETB 1,502

24.28%

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 ETB 377

$5.29 ETB 850

-55.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 190

$0.65 ETB 104

81.54%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.53 ETB 566

$2.13 ETB 343

65.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 96.6

$0.65 ETB 105

-7.69%

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 89.7

$0.46 ETB 73.6

21.74%

Onion (1kg)

$3.56 ETB 572

$1.05 ETB 169

239.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 ETB 104

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 ETB 95.1

$0.61 ETB 97.3

-3.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.18 ETB 1,313

Wine (Bottle)

$6.76 ETB 1,086

$5.54 ETB 889

22.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 184

$0.71 ETB 114

60.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.45 ETB 234

$1.28 ETB 206

13.28%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.62

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.99 ETB 2,247

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.29 ETB 207

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 ETB 286

$1.96 ETB 315

-9.18%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.76 ETB 283

$0.97 ETB 156

81.44%

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

$52.3K ETB 8.4M

$54.6K ETB 8.8M

-4.22%

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

$57.7K ETB 9.3M

$56.0K ETB 9.0M

2.99%

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

$62.7 ETB 10.1K

$204 ETB 32.7K

-69.19%

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

$36.62 ETB 5,883

$7.22 ETB 1,160

407.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$316 ETB 50.7K

$212 ETB 34.1K

48.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.41 ETB 5,528

Cinema Ticket

$3.64 ETB 585

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

$138 ETB 22.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K ETB 4.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.59 ETB 5,396

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.9 ETB 14.8K

$70.8 ETB 11.4K

29.71%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$139 ETB 22.4K

$77.8 ETB 12.5K

78.97%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.6K

$81.7 ETB 13.1K

41.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$216 ETB 34.6K

$347 ETB 55.7K

-37.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$161 ETB 25.8K

$198 ETB 31.8K

-18.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ETB 68.1K

$982 ETB 157.7K

-56.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$322 ETB 51.7K

$816 ETB 131.1K

-60.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,328 ETB 374.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,154 ETB 185.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$230 ETB 37.0K

$102 ETB 16.3K

126.74%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

-51.35%

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

Last update for Jimma: September 12, 2026

Last update for Adama: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $216 in Jimma versus $347 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 127% higher in Jimma, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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: $1,041 in Jimma, $1,006 in Adama – roughly 3% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,561 per month in Jimma and $1,509 in Adama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Adama, 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 $1,041 in Jimma and $1,006 in Adama. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% 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 Adama, where all-in costs run around $1,006, than in Jimma at $1,041. In Adama it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Adama – 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 Adama. 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.