Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Assela Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Assela

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Jimma versus $806 in Assela.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,424 in Jimma versus $1,237 in Assela.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,814 in Jimma versus $1,669 in Assela.

Living in Jimma is roughly 28% more expensive than Assela, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jimma 23% lower, Assela 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.51 ETB 710

$4.60 ETB 725

-1.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.67 ETB 5,622

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.32 ETB 996

Cappuccino

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.29 ETB 203

-8.53%

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

$0.57 ETB 89.1

$0.64 ETB 101

-10.94%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 75.8

$0.43 ETB 68.3

11.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 189

$0.98 ETB 154

22.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 233

$2.93 ETB 462

-49.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 187

$1.44 ETB 228

-17.36%

White Bread (500g)

$0.37 ETB 57.7

$1.32 ETB 209

-71.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 179

$2.17 ETB 343

-47.93%

Eggs

$4.15 ETB 655

$2.46 ETB 388

68.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.00 ETB 1,104

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.48 ETB 1,810

$13.87 ETB 2,185

-17.23%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.72 ETB 1,847

$13.40 ETB 2,112

-12.54%

Apples (1kg)

$2.25 ETB 354

$6.84 ETB 1,078

-67.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 186

$1.03 ETB 162

14.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.43 ETB 540

$2.19 ETB 345

56.62%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.5

$0.97 ETB 153

-37.11%

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 86.8

$0.63 ETB 99.6

-12.70%

Onion (1kg)

$3.37 ETB 531

$1.88 ETB 296

79.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 110

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ETB 88.0

$0.69 ETB 108

-18.84%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 ETB 636

Wine (Bottle)

$7.07 ETB 1,114

$5.70 ETB 899

24.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 179

$0.99 ETB 156

15.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 231

$1.84 ETB 290

-20.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 ETB 34.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.79 ETB 2,173

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 ETB 228

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.75 ETB 276

$1.98 ETB 312

-11.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.78 ETB 280

$1.29 ETB 204

37.98%

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

$52.9K ETB 8.3M

$55.2K ETB 8.7M

-4.16%

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

$57.5K ETB 9.1M

$54.6K ETB 8.6M

5.39%

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

$62.7 ETB 9,877

$159 ETB 25.0K

-60.53%

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

$15.52 ETB 2,445

$11.83 ETB 1,864

31.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$315 ETB 49.6K

$131 ETB 20.6K

140.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.69 ETB 5,467

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ETB 910

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

$79.9 ETB 12.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.0K ETB 6.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.94 ETB 7,398

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.6 ETB 14.4K

$75.1 ETB 11.8K

22.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.1K

$94.1 ETB 14.8K

49.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 ETB 18.5K

$115 ETB 18.1K

2.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$218 ETB 34.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 ETB 68.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$321 ETB 50.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,286 ETB 360.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,186 ETB 186.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$229 ETB 36.1K

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Assela: June 1, 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

Jimma vs Assela: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Assela is cheaper overall, especially in Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,551 in Jimma and $1,208 in Assela to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Shoppers in Jimma pay roughly 32% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $1,034 per month in Jimma versus $806 in Assela – a 28% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Assela gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Jimma and Assela are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Assela gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Jimma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.