Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Hawassa Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Hawassa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,033 per month in Jimma vs $808 in Hawassa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,422 per month in Jimma vs $1,210 in Hawassa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,810 per month in Jimma vs $1,613 in Hawassa, rent included.

Jimma costs about 28% more than Hawassa, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Hawassa are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 23% lower, Hawassa 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.70 ETB 742

$4.46 ETB 705

5.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.56 ETB 5,460

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.62 ETB 1,046

Cappuccino

$1.19 ETB 188

$1.27 ETB 201

-6.30%

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

$0.57 ETB 89.3

$0.67 ETB 106

-14.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 70.2

$0.47 ETB 73.7

-6.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 189

$1.03 ETB 162

16.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.44 ETB 227

$2.95 ETB 467

-51.19%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 ETB 180

$1.44 ETB 228

-20.83%

White Bread (500g)

$0.37 ETB 57.9

$1.34 ETB 212

-72.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.01 ETB 160

11.88%

Eggs

$4.19 ETB 663

$1.52 ETB 240

175.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.94 ETB 1,097

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.60 ETB 1,833

$14.00 ETB 2,213

-17.14%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.38 ETB 1,799

$13.05 ETB 2,062

-12.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.36 ETB 373

$6.76 ETB 1,068

-65.09%

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 178

$1.02 ETB 162

10.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.52 ETB 556

$2.25 ETB 355

56.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ETB 93.4

$0.93 ETB 146

-36.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.60 ETB 94.9

$0.67 ETB 106

-10.45%

Onion (1kg)

$3.38 ETB 534

$1.84 ETB 291

83.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 109

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ETB 88.9

$0.63 ETB 100

-11.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.07 ETB 642

Wine (Bottle)

$7.15 ETB 1,130

$5.53 ETB 874

29.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 180

$1.00 ETB 158

14.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 234

$1.89 ETB 298

-21.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 ETB 34.59

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.01 ETB 2,214

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 ETB 236

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 269

$2.02 ETB 319

-15.84%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.79 ETB 283

$1.29 ETB 204

38.76%

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

$51.2K ETB 8.1M

$55.4K ETB 8.7M

-7.57%

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

$57.3K ETB 9.1M

$54.5K ETB 8.6M

5.08%

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

$62.5 ETB 9,874

$162 ETB 25.6K

-61.46%

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

$15.13 ETB 2,391

$11.77 ETB 1,860

28.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$318 ETB 50.2K

$129 ETB 20.4K

145.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.65 ETB 5,475

Cinema Ticket

$5.76 ETB 909

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

$80.4 ETB 12.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K ETB 6.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.00 ETB 7,426

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.1 ETB 14.4K

$74.7 ETB 11.8K

21.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.1K

$94.0 ETB 14.8K

49.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.3K

$112 ETB 17.7K

2.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 ETB 33.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$435 ETB 68.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$325 ETB 51.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,360 ETB 372.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,165 ETB 184.0K

$506 ETB 80.0K

129.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$236 ETB 37.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-47.06%

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

Last update for Jimma: June 15, 2026

Last update for Hawassa: June 13, 2026

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 Hawassa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,033 in Jimma, $808 in Hawassa – roughly 28% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,549 per month in Jimma and $1,212 in Hawassa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,033 in Jimma and $808 in Hawassa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 27% cheaper in Jimma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hawassa, where all-in costs run around $808, than in Jimma at $1,033. In Hawassa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

If budget matters most, go with Hawassa. 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.