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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,030 per month in Jimma vs $822 in Hawassa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,424 per month in Jimma vs $1,230 in Hawassa, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,818 per month in Jimma vs $1,638 in Hawassa, rent included.

Jimma costs about 25% 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

$4.72 ETB 737

$4.41 ETB 689

7.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.09 ETB 5,484

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.58 ETB 1,029

Cappuccino

$1.19 ETB 186

$1.23 ETB 193

-3.25%

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

$0.60 ETB 94.0

$0.64 ETB 100

-6.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 68.6

$0.43 ETB 67.5

2.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.21 ETB 189

$1.02 ETB 160

18.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 231

$2.97 ETB 464

-50.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 ETB 183

$1.39 ETB 218

-15.83%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 61.8

$1.34 ETB 209

-70.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 177

$1.03 ETB 161

9.71%

Eggs

$4.26 ETB 665

$1.60 ETB 251

166.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.21 ETB 1,127

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.59 ETB 1,812

$13.92 ETB 2,175

-16.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.66 ETB 1,823

$13.28 ETB 2,075

-12.20%

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 357

$6.76 ETB 1,057

-66.27%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 180

$0.97 ETB 152

18.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.48 ETB 544

$2.16 ETB 338

61.11%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.1

$0.90 ETB 141

-32.22%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.1

$0.67 ETB 105

-8.96%

Onion (1kg)

$3.52 ETB 550

$1.91 ETB 299

84.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 ETB 107

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 86.5

$0.63 ETB 98.1

-12.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.02 ETB 629

Wine (Bottle)

$6.97 ETB 1,090

$5.76 ETB 900

21.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 ETB 185

$1.00 ETB 156

19.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ETB 232

$1.84 ETB 288

-19.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 37.66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,141

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 ETB 233

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ETB 42.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ETB 280

$2.05 ETB 320

-12.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.75 ETB 274

$1.24 ETB 194

41.13%

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

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

$55.1K ETB 8.6M

-4.24%

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

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

$53.0K ETB 8.3M

8.02%

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

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

$158 ETB 24.7K

-59.09%

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

$15.01 ETB 2,346

$11.98 ETB 1,872

25.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$321 ETB 50.1K

$131 ETB 20.5K

144.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.37 ETB 5,372

Cinema Ticket

$5.54 ETB 866

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

$81.7 ETB 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.9K ETB 6.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.79 ETB 7,470

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

$75.0 ETB 11.7K

23.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.0K

$92.5 ETB 14.5K

52.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 17.8K

$116 ETB 18.2K

-1.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 33.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$422 ETB 66.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,341 ETB 365.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,196 ETB 186.9K

$503 ETB 78.5K

137.93%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$232 ETB 36.3K

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Hawassa: April 25, 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: $1,030 in Jimma, $822 in Hawassa – roughly 25% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,545 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 $1,030 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 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 $822, than in Jimma at $1,030. 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.