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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,030 per month in Jimma vs $1,114 in Adama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,424 per month in Jimma vs $1,756 in Adama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,818 per month in Jimma vs $2,399 in Adama, rent included.

Jimma is about 8% 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

$4.72 ETB 737

$3.05 ETB 477

54.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.58 ETB 5,561

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.04 ETB 788

Cappuccino

$1.19 ETB 186

$1.28 ETB 201

-7.03%

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

$0.60 ETB 94.0

$0.67 ETB 105

-10.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 68.6

$0.31 ETB 48.66

41.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.21 ETB 189

$1.01 ETB 158

19.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 231

$2.96 ETB 463

-50.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 ETB 183

$1.46 ETB 228

-19.86%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 61.8

$1.27 ETB 199

-68.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 177

$2.12 ETB 332

-46.70%

Eggs

$4.26 ETB 665

$2.52 ETB 393

69.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 ETB 1,137

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.59 ETB 1,812

$13.73 ETB 2,145

-15.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.66 ETB 1,823

$13.38 ETB 2,091

-12.86%

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 357

$6.79 ETB 1,061

-66.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 180

$1.02 ETB 160

12.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.48 ETB 544

$2.23 ETB 349

56.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.1

$0.92 ETB 144

-33.70%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.1

$0.63 ETB 98.2

-3.17%

Onion (1kg)

$3.52 ETB 550

$1.91 ETB 299

84.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 110

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 86.5

$0.63 ETB 98.5

-12.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.92 ETB 613

Wine (Bottle)

$6.97 ETB 1,090

$5.74 ETB 896

21.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 ETB 185

$1.04 ETB 162

14.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ETB 232

$1.82 ETB 284

-18.13%

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)

$1.45 ETB 226

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 45.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ETB 280

$2.03 ETB 317

-11.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.75 ETB 274

$1.30 ETB 202

34.62%

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

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

$54.4K ETB 8.5M

-3.01%

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

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

$54.8K ETB 8.6M

4.47%

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

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

$162 ETB 25.3K

-60.12%

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

$15.01 ETB 2,346

$12.16 ETB 1,900

23.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$321 ETB 50.1K

$133 ETB 20.8K

141.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.37 ETB 5,372

Cinema Ticket

$5.87 ETB 917

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

$79.7 ETB 12.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K ETB 6.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.05 ETB 7,509

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

$74.0 ETB 11.6K

25.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.0K

$94.1 ETB 14.7K

49.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 17.8K

$116 ETB 18.1K

-1.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 33.2K

$496 ETB 77.6K

-57.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.4K

$304 ETB 47.5K

-46.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$422 ETB 66.0K

$982 ETB 153.5K

-57.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.0K

$813 ETB 127.1K

-59.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,341 ETB 365.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,196 ETB 186.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$232 ETB 36.3K

$102 ETB 15.9K

128.20%

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Adama: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $212 in Jimma versus $496 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 128% 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: $1,030 in Jimma, $1,114 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 $1,545 per month in Jimma and $1,671 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 $1,030 in Jimma and $1,114 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 $1,030, than in Adama at $1,114. 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.