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: $1,022 in Jimma versus $817 in Assela.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,412 in Jimma versus $1,242 in Assela.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,802 in Jimma versus $1,667 in Assela.

Living in Jimma is roughly 25% more expensive than in Assela, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jimma 24% lower, Assela 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.71 ETB 746

$4.59 ETB 727

2.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.32 ETB 5,599

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.54 ETB 1,036

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 178

$1.30 ETB 205

-13.08%

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

$0.60 ETB 94.9

$0.69 ETB 110

-13.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 75.5

$0.47 ETB 74.2

2.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.22 ETB 193

$1.01 ETB 160

20.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 235

$3.08 ETB 488

-51.95%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.38 ETB 219

-14.49%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.0

$1.32 ETB 210

-69.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$2.12 ETB 336

-45.75%

Eggs

$4.23 ETB 671

$2.49 ETB 395

69.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.98 ETB 1,106

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.41 ETB 1,808

$13.67 ETB 2,166

-16.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.53 ETB 1,828

$13.17 ETB 2,087

-12.45%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ETB 377

$6.72 ETB 1,064

-64.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$1.02 ETB 161

12.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.39 ETB 537

$2.27 ETB 360

49.34%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ETB 93.7

$0.99 ETB 157

-40.40%

Potato (1kg)

$0.59 ETB 94.1

$0.68 ETB 108

-13.24%

Onion (1kg)

$3.44 ETB 545

$1.92 ETB 304

79.17%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 87.5

$0.68 ETB 108

-19.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 ETB 626

Wine (Bottle)

$6.94 ETB 1,101

$5.66 ETB 897

22.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 180

$0.99 ETB 157

15.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 ETB 225

$1.83 ETB 291

-22.40%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.72 ETB 2,174

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 ETB 225

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.54

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 ETB 272

$2.05 ETB 325

-16.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.69 ETB 269

$1.30 ETB 206

30.00%

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

$53.1K ETB 8.4M

$54.0K ETB 8.6M

-1.67%

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

$56.9K ETB 9.0M

$53.8K ETB 8.5M

5.77%

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

$63.4 ETB 10.1K

$157 ETB 24.9K

-59.60%

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

$15.13 ETB 2,398

$12.04 ETB 1,909

25.66%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$310 ETB 49.1K

$129 ETB 20.5K

139.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.16 ETB 5,415

Cinema Ticket

$5.76 ETB 914

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

$80.2 ETB 12.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.8K ETB 6.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.74 ETB 7,409

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.7 ETB 14.5K

$73.9 ETB 11.7K

24.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$137 ETB 21.7K

$94.5 ETB 15.0K

44.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ETB 18.2K

$113 ETB 17.8K

1.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$210 ETB 33.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$419 ETB 66.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$325 ETB 51.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,320 ETB 367.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,144 ETB 181.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.5K

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: July 13, 2026

Last update for Assela: July 12, 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 25% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,533 in Jimma and $1,225 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 31% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $1,022 per month in Jimma versus $817 in Assela – a 25% 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 25% less than in Jimma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.