Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,036 per month in Jimma vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,427 per month in Jimma vs $1,360 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,817 per month in Jimma vs $1,867 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Jimma costs about 22% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 22% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.73 ETB 755

$2.04 ฿68.4

131.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.71 ฿626

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 ฿263

Cappuccino

$1.18 ETB 189

$2.03 ฿67.9

-41.87%

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

$0.56 ETB 89.4

$0.80 ฿26.71

-30.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 76.5

$0.35 ฿11.71

37.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.19 ETB 191

$2.14 ฿71.7

-44.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 234

$3.67 ฿123

-59.95%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 191

$1.73 ฿57.8

-31.21%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.6

$1.57 ฿52.5

-74.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 180

$1.20 ฿40.10

-5.83%

Eggs

$4.21 ETB 672

$1.97 ฿66.0

113.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.23 ฿543

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.50 ETB 1,837

$3.06 ฿102

275.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.73 ETB 1,874

$10.80 ฿361

8.61%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 ETB 371

$2.77 ฿92.6

-16.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 184

$1.17 ฿39.05

-1.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.53 ETB 563

$1.71 ฿57.1

106.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 90.1

$1.59 ฿53.3

-64.78%

Potato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 95.1

$1.39 ฿46.63

-56.83%

Onion (1kg)

$3.54 ETB 566

$1.16 ฿38.67

205.17%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿22.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 ETB 96.2

$0.52 ฿17.35

15.38%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.65 ฿155

Wine (Bottle)

$6.66 ETB 1,064

$17.78 ฿595

-62.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ETB 187

$1.79 ฿59.8

-34.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 236

$3.34 ฿112

-55.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.44

$0.91 ฿30.35

-73.63%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.06 ETB 2,246

$18.64 ฿624

-24.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿47.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 271

$8.11 ฿271

-79.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.77 ETB 282

$1.23 ฿41.27

43.90%

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

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

$21.4K ฿717.0K

140.33%

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

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

$21.8K ฿730.0K

163.02%

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

$62.5 ETB 9,975

$71.3 ฿2,386

-12.44%

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

$15.07 ETB 2,407

$14.01 ฿469

7.57%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$309 ETB 49.4K

$17.93 ฿600

1625.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.15 ETB 5,454

$40.82 ฿1,365

-16.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿230

Cinema Ticket

$5.72 ฿191

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

$308 ฿10.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿491.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,865

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

$26.04 ฿871

260.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.4K

$84.8 ฿2,837

65.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 ETB 18.8K

$71.0 ฿2,375

65.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 ETB 34.2K

$423 ฿14.2K

-49.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$163 ETB 26.1K

$242 ฿8,110

-32.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 ETB 68.5K

$797 ฿26.7K

-46.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 52.1K

$507 ฿17.0K

-35.63%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

$1,918 ฿64.2K

19.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

$1,464 ฿49.0K

-22.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$224 ETB 35.8K

$595 ฿19.9K

-62.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

80.00%

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

Last update for Jimma: July 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $214 in Jimma versus $423 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 166% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jimma costs about 22% more than Chiang Mai, 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 $1,554 per month in Jimma and $1,279 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,036 in Jimma and $852 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 20% cheaper in Jimma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,036 in Jimma and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,036 in Jimma. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Chiang Mai. 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.