Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,022 per month in Jimma vs $379 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,412 per month in Jimma vs $563 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,802 per month in Jimma vs $747 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Jimma costs about 170% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 24% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.71 ETB 746

$3.52 ETB 558

33.81%

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 178

$0.97 ETB 154

16.49%

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

$0.60 ETB 94.9

$0.38 ETB 60.6

57.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 75.5

$0.49 ETB 77.0

-2.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.22 ETB 193

$0.73 ETB 115

67.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 235

$2.06 ETB 326

-28.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.02 ETB 162

15.69%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.0

$0.99 ETB 157

-59.60%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$0.99 ETB 157

16.16%

Eggs

$4.23 ETB 671

$1.70 ETB 270

148.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.41 ETB 1,808

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.53 ETB 1,828

$10.19 ETB 1,615

13.15%

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 ETB 377

$2.91 ETB 462

-18.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$0.98 ETB 156

17.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.39 ETB 537

$2.03 ETB 322

67.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ETB 93.7

$0.76 ETB 121

-22.37%

Potato (1kg)

$0.59 ETB 94.1

$0.62 ETB 97.9

-4.84%

Onion (1kg)

$3.44 ETB 545

$1.17 ETB 186

194.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 156

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 87.5

$0.51 ETB 81.4

7.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.94 ETB 1,101

$4.08 ETB 646

70.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 180

$0.78 ETB 124

46.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 ETB 225

$1.95 ETB 309

-27.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.72 ETB 2,174

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.51 ETB 80.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 ETB 272

$1.97 ETB 313

-12.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.69 ETB 269

$1.03 ETB 163

64.08%

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

$53.1K ETB 8.4M

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

$56.9K ETB 9.0M

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

$63.4 ETB 10.1K

$100 ETB 15.9K

-36.83%

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

$15.13 ETB 2,398

$10.06 ETB 1,595

50.40%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$310 ETB 49.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.16 ETB 5,415

$49.45 ETB 7,838

-30.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.7 ETB 9,627

Cinema Ticket

$6.10 ETB 967

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

$49.33 ETB 7,819

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.82 ETB 7,897

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.7 ETB 14.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$137 ETB 21.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ETB 18.2K

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

$2,023 ETB 320.7K

14.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,144 ETB 181.3K

$1,485 ETB 235.3K

-22.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.5K

$203 ETB 32.2K

10.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Jimma: July 13, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 10% 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 Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jimma costs about 170% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,533 per month in Jimma and $568 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,022 in Jimma and $379 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 63% more in Jimma, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,022 in Jimma and $379 in Bahir Dar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Bahir Dar – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. 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.