Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Bahir Dar

For one person, living is cheaper in Bahir Dar: $375 a month against $1,020 in Jimma, rent and utilities included – about $7,700 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Jimma

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

$1,020

/mo nomad

Bahir Dar

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

$375

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Jimma and in Bahir Dar

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Jimma and in Bahir Dar actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,020 per month in Jimma vs $375 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Jimma $1,020
Bahir Dar $375

A couple spends around $1,406 per month in Jimma vs $569 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Jimma $1,406
Bahir Dar $569

A family of three spends $1,792 per month in Jimma vs $763 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Jimma $1,792
Bahir Dar $763

Jimma costs about 172% more than Bahir Dar, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.40 ETB 705

$3.51 ETB 564

25.36%

Cappuccino

$1.11 ETB 178

$0.99 ETB 159

12.12%

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

$0.58 ETB 93.3

$0.41 ETB 66.0

41.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 68.8

$0.52 ETB 83.9

-17.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.86 ETB 458

$0.72 ETB 116

297.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 ETB 220

$2.01 ETB 323

-31.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 ETB 176

$0.99 ETB 158

11.11%

White Bread (500g)

$0.35 ETB 57.0

$0.98 ETB 157

-64.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.10 ETB 176

$1.03 ETB 165

6.80%

Eggs

$3.96 ETB 636

$1.72 ETB 276

130.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.18 ETB 1,795

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.29 ETB 1,812

$10.04 ETB 1,612

12.45%

Apples (1kg)

$2.18 ETB 349

$2.92 ETB 468

-25.34%

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 182

$1.02 ETB 164

10.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.26 ETB 523

$2.05 ETB 329

59.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.58 ETB 93.5

$0.83 ETB 133

-30.12%

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 ETB 93.2

$0.63 ETB 101

-7.94%

Onion (1kg)

$3.33 ETB 535

$1.12 ETB 180

197.32%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 ETB 164

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 87.9

$0.51 ETB 82.2

7.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.79 ETB 1,089

$3.90 ETB 626

74.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 ETB 177

$0.84 ETB 134

32.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 ETB 229

$1.97 ETB 316

-27.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 ETB 33.58

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.56 ETB 2,176

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.48 ETB 76.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 273

$2.02 ETB 324

-15.84%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.70 ETB 273

$1.02 ETB 164

66.67%

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

$50.0K ETB 8.0M

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

$56.2K ETB 9.0M

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

$61.8 ETB 9,921

$102 ETB 16.4K

-39.34%

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

$36.05 ETB 5,786

$9.82 ETB 1,576

267.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$304 ETB 48.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.49 ETB 5,375

$50.9 ETB 8,167

-34.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.5 ETB 9,711

Cinema Ticket

$5.90 ETB 947

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

$49.85 ETB 8,001

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.1 ETB 8,032

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$89.1 ETB 14.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$132 ETB 21.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 ETB 18.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$205 ETB 33.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$156 ETB 25.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$415 ETB 66.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$311 ETB 49.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,215 ETB 355.5K

$1,988 ETB 319.1K

11.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,107 ETB 177.6K

$1,476 ETB 237.0K

-25.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$222 ETB 35.7K

$200 ETB 32.1K

11.02%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Jimma: October 11, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: October 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 11% higher in Jimma, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know

🇪🇹 Jimma

🇪🇹 Bahir Dar

🕒 Local time

19:46 7:46 PM

Same time as Jimma

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

207,573

350,000

💱 Currency

Ethiopian Birr ETB Br

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 ETB = 6.23 USD

1,000 ETB = 5.54 EUR

1,000 ETB = 6.23 USD

1,000 ETB = 5.54 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Jimma Bahir Dar 440 km

From you

Jimma
Bahir Dar

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 172% more than Bahir Dar, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,530 per month in Jimma and $562 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 $1,020 in Jimma and $375 in Bahir Dar. That's a gap of about 172%.

Groceries cost about 57% more in Jimma, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $375, than in Jimma at $1,020. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.