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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,071 per month in Jimma vs $822 in Hawassa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,453 per month in Jimma vs $1,202 in Hawassa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,836 per month in Jimma vs $1,582 in Hawassa, rent included.

Jimma costs about 30% more than Hawassa, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Hawassa are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 22% lower, Hawassa 40% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.67 ETB 751

$3.98 ETB 640

17.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.30 ETB 6,961

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.63 ETB 1,065

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 181

$0.90 ETB 144

25.56%

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

$0.60 ETB 96.3

$0.58 ETB 93.5

3.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 ETB 77.6

$0.64 ETB 102

-25.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.82 ETB 453

$0.81 ETB 131

248.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ETB 239

$2.23 ETB 358

-33.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 ETB 182

$1.11 ETB 178

1.80%

White Bread (500g)

$0.41 ETB 65.2

$1.21 ETB 194

-66.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ETB 183

$0.98 ETB 158

16.33%

Eggs

$4.29 ETB 690

$1.60 ETB 258

168.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.18 ETB 1,154

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.45 ETB 1,840

$10.17 ETB 1,634

12.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.80 ETB 1,897

$9.13 ETB 1,468

29.24%

Apples (1kg)

$2.26 ETB 363

$5.46 ETB 877

-58.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 189

$0.64 ETB 103

84.37%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.52 ETB 567

$2.24 ETB 361

57.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 88.7

$0.66 ETB 106

-16.67%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 97.4

$0.50 ETB 80.7

22.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.45 ETB 554

$1.09 ETB 175

216.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ETB 90.4

$0.61 ETB 98.7

-8.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.22 ETB 1,321

Wine (Bottle)

$6.91 ETB 1,111

$5.48 ETB 881

26.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ETB 184

$0.72 ETB 116

58.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 238

$1.27 ETB 204

16.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.80 ETB 2,218

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 ETB 210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 ETB 273

$2.05 ETB 330

-17.07%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.71 ETB 275

$0.96 ETB 155

78.13%

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

$52.7K ETB 8.5M

$54.2K ETB 8.7M

-2.80%

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

$59.2K ETB 9.5M

$54.5K ETB 8.8M

8.66%

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

$63.5 ETB 10.2K

$207 ETB 33.3K

-69.32%

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

$37.71 ETB 6,062

$7.44 ETB 1,196

406.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$310 ETB 49.8K

$216 ETB 34.8K

43.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.14 ETB 5,649

Cinema Ticket

$3.67 ETB 590

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

$135 ETB 21.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K ETB 4.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.27 ETB 5,349

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$94.5 ETB 15.2K

$69.8 ETB 11.2K

35.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$137 ETB 22.0K

$77.5 ETB 12.5K

76.43%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 ETB 18.7K

$81.4 ETB 13.1K

43.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 34.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 26.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$420 ETB 67.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$323 ETB 52.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,292 ETB 368.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,181 ETB 189.8K

$491 ETB 79.0K

140.34%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$234 ETB 37.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

-51.35%

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

Last update for Jimma: September 7, 2026

Last update for Hawassa: September 6, 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: $1,071 in Jimma, $822 in Hawassa – roughly 30% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,606 per month in Jimma and $1,232 in Hawassa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,071 in Jimma and $822 in Hawassa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% 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 $822, than in Jimma at $1,071. 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.