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 $1,034 per month in Jimma vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,428 per month in Jimma vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,823 per month in Jimma vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Jimma costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 23% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.50 ETB 714

$1.98 ฿64.3

127.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.92 ฿62.5

-41.15%

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

$0.60 ETB 95.4

$0.79 ฿25.79

-24.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ETB 74.7

$0.36 ฿11.62

30.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 190

$2.21 ฿72.1

-45.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 233

$3.66 ฿119

-59.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 188

$1.65 ฿53.8

-27.88%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.2

$1.63 ฿53.2

-75.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.19 ฿38.86

-0.84%

Eggs

$4.16 ETB 659

$2.00 ฿65.1

108.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.42 ETB 1,810

$3.03 ฿98.5

276.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 ETB 1,826

$10.86 ฿354

6.08%

Apples (1kg)

$2.29 ETB 363

$2.76 ฿90.0

-17.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$1.18 ฿38.42

-2.54%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.46 ETB 548

$1.64 ฿53.5

110.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 87.9

$1.52 ฿49.51

-63.82%

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 89.5

$1.38 ฿45.10

-59.42%

Onion (1kg)

$3.43 ETB 543

$1.19 ฿38.84

188.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ETB 96.0

$0.56 ฿18.13

8.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

Wine (Bottle)

$6.86 ETB 1,088

$16.56 ฿539

-58.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.83 ฿59.5

-38.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 ETB 227

$3.20 ฿104

-55.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.10

$0.88 ฿28.56

-72.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,171

$18.72 ฿610

-26.82%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 ETB 279

$7.84 ฿256

-77.55%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.77 ETB 280

$1.23 ฿39.92

43.90%

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

$52.2K ETB 8.3M

$21.6K ฿704.3K

141.50%

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

$57.6K ETB 9.1M

$22.5K ฿734.3K

155.56%

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

$63.2 ETB 10.0K

$70.5 ฿2,298

-10.36%

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

$15.34 ETB 2,431

$13.68 ฿445

12.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$313 ETB 49.6K

$17.45 ฿568

1692.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.61 ETB 5,485

$41.33 ฿1,346

-16.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

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

$307 ฿10.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

$26.21 ฿854

254.41%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.2K

$85.8 ฿2,793

63.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 18.1K

$72.2 ฿2,353

57.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$217 ETB 34.4K

$430 ฿14.0K

-49.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.1K

$239 ฿7,774

-33.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$418 ETB 66.3K

$817 ฿26.6K

-48.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.7K

$511 ฿16.6K

-36.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,277 ETB 360.9K

$1,983 ฿64.6K

14.82%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,149 ETB 182.2K

$1,484 ฿48.3K

-22.54%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 36.9K

$619 ฿20.2K

-62.39%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $217 in Jimma versus $430 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 19% 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 $1,551 per month in Jimma and $1,303 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 $1,034 in Jimma and $869 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 19% 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 $1,034 in Jimma and $869 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,034 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.