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 $1,034 per month in Jimma vs $372 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,424 per month in Jimma vs $560 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,814 per month in Jimma vs $748 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Jimma costs about 178% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Bahir Dar are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 23% lower, Bahir Dar 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.51 ETB 710

$3.60 ETB 567

25.28%

Cappuccino

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.02 ETB 161

15.69%

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

$0.57 ETB 89.1

$0.42 ETB 65.9

35.71%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 75.8

$0.48 ETB 76.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 189

$0.78 ETB 123

53.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 233

$1.99 ETB 313

-25.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 187

$1.01 ETB 160

17.82%

White Bread (500g)

$0.37 ETB 57.7

$1.01 ETB 160

-63.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 179

$0.99 ETB 156

14.14%

Eggs

$4.15 ETB 655

$1.76 ETB 277

135.80%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.48 ETB 1,810

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.72 ETB 1,847

$9.96 ETB 1,569

17.67%

Apples (1kg)

$2.25 ETB 354

$2.94 ETB 463

-23.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 186

$1.02 ETB 160

15.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.43 ETB 540

$1.97 ETB 310

74.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.5

$0.77 ETB 122

-20.78%

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 86.8

$0.67 ETB 105

-17.91%

Onion (1kg)

$3.37 ETB 531

$1.17 ETB 185

188.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ETB 155

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ETB 88.0

$0.52 ETB 81.6

7.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.07 ETB 1,114

$4.03 ETB 636

75.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 179

$0.77 ETB 121

48.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 231

$1.98 ETB 313

-25.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 ETB 34.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.79 ETB 2,173

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.52 ETB 81.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.75 ETB 276

$1.98 ETB 312

-11.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.78 ETB 280

$1.02 ETB 160

74.51%

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

$52.9K ETB 8.3M

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

$57.5K ETB 9.1M

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

$62.7 ETB 9,877

$100 ETB 15.8K

-37.63%

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

$15.52 ETB 2,445

$9.90 ETB 1,560

56.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$315 ETB 49.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.69 ETB 5,467

$50.5 ETB 7,963

-31.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.1 ETB 9,311

Cinema Ticket

$5.97 ETB 941

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

$50.3 ETB 7,927

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.9 ETB 8,024

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.6 ETB 14.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 ETB 18.5K

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

$2,032 ETB 320.3K

12.49%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,186 ETB 186.9K

$1,514 ETB 238.6K

-21.65%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$229 ETB 36.1K

$198 ETB 31.2K

15.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Jimma: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 15% 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 178% 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 $1,551 per month in Jimma and $557 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 $1,034 in Jimma and $372 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 $1,034 in Jimma and $372 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.