Cost of Living in Ethiopia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ethiopia
Address: ET

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $762 (excluding rent), and $1,280 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,717 (excluding rent), and $2,664 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.37 ETB 683

$1.99 ETB 311

$9.86 ETB 1,541

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.38 ETB 5,374

$24.56 ETB 3,839

$49.12 ETB 7,677

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.38 ETB 997

$5.92 ETB 926

$6.91 ETB 1,080

Cappuccino

$1.14 ETB 179

$0.49 ETB 75.8

$1.94 ETB 303

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

$0.59 ETB 92.3

$0.44 ETB 68.1

$0.97 ETB 151

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 67.5

$0.26 ETB 40.48

$0.96 ETB 150

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 160

$0.51 ETB 80.0

$2.05 ETB 320

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 ETB 318

$1.27 ETB 198

$4.06 ETB 635

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 ETB 224

$0.99 ETB 155

$2.04 ETB 319

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 ETB 195

$0.49 ETB 77.4

$2.49 ETB 390

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.77 ETB 277

$1.03 ETB 161

$4.12 ETB 643

Eggs

$2.48 ETB 387

$1.18 ETB 185

$3.43 ETB 535

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.22 ETB 1,129

$3.03 ETB 474

$20.20 ETB 3,157

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.65 ETB 1,977

$7.47 ETB 1,168

$19.93 ETB 3,116

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.82 ETB 2,003

$7.94 ETB 1,241

$22.82 ETB 3,566

Apples (1kg)

$6.42 ETB 1,004

$3.05 ETB 477

$10.17 ETB 1,589

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 ETB 154

$0.49 ETB 77.0

$1.97 ETB 308

Oranges (1kg)

$2.31 ETB 361

$1.02 ETB 159

$3.26 ETB 510

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 ETB 134

$0.48 ETB 75.1

$1.39 ETB 218

Potato (1kg)

$0.64 ETB 99.9

$0.25 ETB 38.43

$1.67 ETB 261

Onion (1kg)

$1.88 ETB 294

$0.80 ETB 124

$2.98 ETB 466

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ETB 115

$0.22 ETB 34.09

$1.04 ETB 162

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 ETB 97.4

$0.29 ETB 45.63

$1.07 ETB 167

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.10 ETB 641

$3.08 ETB 481

$6.36 ETB 994

Wine (Bottle)

$5.93 ETB 927

$3.95 ETB 618

$9.89 ETB 1,545

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 ETB 128

$0.57 ETB 89.6

$1.81 ETB 284

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 ETB 291

$0.82 ETB 128

$3.27 ETB 511

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 ETB 45.34

$0.10 ETB 16.19

$0.52 ETB 81.0

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.28 ETB 1,920

$9.82 ETB 1,535

$24.55 ETB 3,837

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 ETB 226

$0.99 ETB 155

$1.98 ETB 309

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 44.77

$0.22 ETB 34.32

$0.48 ETB 74.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 ETB 310

$1.49 ETB 232

$1.98 ETB 310

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 ETB 205

$0.75 ETB 118

$1.53 ETB 239

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

$51.5K ETB 8.0M

$47.8K ETB 7.5M

$60.8K ETB 9.5M

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

$53.7K ETB 8.4M

$44.8K ETB 7.0M

$64.8K ETB 10.1M

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

$134 ETB 21.0K

$60.6 ETB 9,465

$336 ETB 52.5K

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

$12.17 ETB 1,902

$8.01 ETB 1,252

$18.03 ETB 2,818

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$160 ETB 25.0K

$40.65 ETB 6,353

$390 ETB 61.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.7 ETB 9,806

$26.36 ETB 4,120

$113 ETB 17.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.60 ETB 5,720

$25.24 ETB 3,945

$50.5 ETB 7,890

Cinema Ticket

$4.87 ETB 761

$2.43 ETB 380

$8.08 ETB 1,263

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

$77.6 ETB 12.1K

$50.2 ETB 7,840

$126 ETB 19.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$41.0K ETB 6.4M

$30.4K ETB 4.8M

$56.8K ETB 8.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.81 ETB 7,316

$31.53 ETB 4,929

$84.8 ETB 13.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.4 ETB 11.8K

$27.49 ETB 4,297

$147 ETB 23.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 ETB 15.3K

$69.7 ETB 10.9K

$130 ETB 20.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 ETB 18.2K

$81.7 ETB 12.8K

$148 ETB 23.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$681 ETB 106.4K

$299 ETB 46.8K

$1,497 ETB 234.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$378 ETB 59.0K

$202 ETB 31.6K

$1,000 ETB 156.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,397 ETB 218.4K

$910 ETB 142.3K

$3,540 ETB 553.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$901 ETB 140.8K

$576 ETB 90.0K

$1,222 ETB 190.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,919 ETB 299.9K

$1,383 ETB 216.1K

$3,533 ETB 552.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,083 ETB 169.3K

$788 ETB 123.2K

$2,168 ETB 338.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$196 ETB 30.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

By City in Ethiopia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Adama	228623	55	$687	$1,081	$1,558	$2,461	64.02	4.84
2	Addis Ababa	3500000	70	$731	$1,424	$1,691	$2,766	247.51	7.95
3	Assela	-	41	$622	$826	$1,534	$1,652	-	-
4	Bahir Dar	-		$276	$374	$646	$763	143.13	4.7
5	Harar	132042						20.62	4.59
6	Hawassa	160000	41	$635	$818	$1,565	$1,660	77.17	5.22
7	Jimma	207573		$773	$1,025	$1,307	$1,775	134.98	36.91

Ethiopia Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Ethiopia - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many global hubs, you’ll usually find Ethiopia more affordable for daily living, especially outside major business districts. Cost of Living in Ethiopia varies by city and neighborhood, driven by local markets, modest rents, and affordable public transport, with variation by region. In Addis Ababa you can find modern coworking spaces and quieter residential areas at different price tiers, while smaller cities offer tight budgets for meals and errands. Seasonal factors influence prices, such as holidays and harvests, but the pace remains slower than megacities. Tip: Build a simple budget based on monthly essentials and test a few neighborhoods before choosing a base.

Daily life aligns with local rhythms: you’ll find a range of housing – from simple, affordable apartments to newer builds near universities or business zones. Food options are plentiful: markets, stalls, and casual eateries offer fresh staples and hearty stews, with a chance to stretch your budget by cooking at home. Transport is practical and inexpensive, with buses, minibus taxis, and occasional ride-hailing apps in bigger cities. Co-working spaces and reliable Wi‑Fi support remote work well, though hours can mirror local patterns. For a sense of the Ethiopia living cost, neighborhoods near city centers tend to be pricier but shorter commutes. Tip: Map a loop of essential errands and test a few routes.

Quality of life hinges on your balance between exploration and stability. Start with a simple budgeting framework: fixed essentials (housing, food, utilities) plus discretionary categories (socializing, travel). Seasonality can affect groceries and energy for cooling in hotter months, so anticipate shifts in nearby markets or restaurants offering seasonal deals. Neighborhood fit matters: aim for a district with good transit links, safe streets, and access to coworking, markets, and green spaces. For longer stays, consider a few areas and rotate stays to gauge pace and vibe, then lock in a base that minimizes commute time and maximizes daily convenience. Tip: try a short pilot in each area.