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: $1,052 in Jimma versus $836 in Assela.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,461 in Jimma versus $1,195 in Assela.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,870 in Jimma versus $1,554 in Assela.

Living in Jimma is roughly 26% more expensive than in Assela, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jimma 23% lower, Assela 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.62 ETB 742

$3.94 ETB 632

17.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.27 ETB 6,949

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.66 ETB 1,070

Cappuccino

$1.14 ETB 183

$0.95 ETB 152

20.00%

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

$0.56 ETB 89.2

$0.60 ETB 95.9

-6.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 77.2

$0.63 ETB 102

-23.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 ETB 473

$0.77 ETB 123

283.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 ETB 230

$2.28 ETB 366

-37.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 ETB 183

$1.07 ETB 172

6.54%

White Bread (500g)

$0.37 ETB 60.0

$1.20 ETB 193

-69.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 ETB 189

$2.11 ETB 338

-44.55%

Eggs

$4.12 ETB 661

$1.72 ETB 277

139.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 ETB 1,167

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.78 ETB 1,891

$10.10 ETB 1,621

16.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.39 ETB 1,829

$9.16 ETB 1,471

24.34%

Apples (1kg)

$2.37 ETB 381

$5.27 ETB 846

-55.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 185

$0.63 ETB 101

82.54%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.42 ETB 549

$2.20 ETB 353

55.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 97.0

$0.67 ETB 107

-10.45%

Potato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 96.9

$0.50 ETB 79.9

20.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.48 ETB 559

$1.06 ETB 170

228.30%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ETB 106

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ETB 90.5

$0.57 ETB 91.4

-1.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.92 ETB 1,273

Wine (Bottle)

$6.91 ETB 1,110

$5.48 ETB 881

26.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 ETB 192

$0.66 ETB 105

80.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 ETB 229

$1.23 ETB 198

15.45%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.92 ETB 2,235

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 ETB 210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 43.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 273

$1.99 ETB 319

-14.57%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.70 ETB 274

$0.97 ETB 156

75.26%

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

$51.8K ETB 8.3M

$54.3K ETB 8.7M

-4.57%

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

$57.8K ETB 9.3M

$54.9K ETB 8.8M

5.18%

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

$62.9 ETB 10.1K

$208 ETB 33.4K

-69.73%

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

$37.35 ETB 5,998

$7.28 ETB 1,170

413.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$310 ETB 49.8K

$210 ETB 33.8K

47.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.34 ETB 5,515

Cinema Ticket

$3.86 ETB 620

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

$137 ETB 22.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K ETB 4.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.35 ETB 5,356

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.6 ETB 14.9K

$70.0 ETB 11.2K

32.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.7K

$79.5 ETB 12.8K

77.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.7K

$83.1 ETB 13.3K

40.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$211 ETB 33.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$434 ETB 69.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$315 ETB 50.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,308 ETB 370.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,167 ETB 187.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 37.5K

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: August 31, 2026

Last update for Assela: August 31, 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 26% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,577 in Jimma and $1,254 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 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $1,052 per month in Jimma versus $836 in Assela – a 26% 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 26% less than in Jimma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.