Cost of Living in Ethiopia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ethiopia
Address: ET

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $763 (excluding rent), and $1,239 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,712 (excluding rent), and $2,700 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.52 ETB 698

$2.06 ETB 318

$10.20 ETB 1,576

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.49 ETB 5,329

$24.64 ETB 3,807

$49.28 ETB 7,613

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.60 ETB 1,020

$6.13 ETB 948

$7.16 ETB 1,106

Cappuccino

$1.15 ETB 178

$0.49 ETB 75.4

$1.95 ETB 302

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

$0.63 ETB 97.6

$0.47 ETB 72.0

$1.04 ETB 160

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 66.2

$0.26 ETB 39.72

$0.95 ETB 147

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 ETB 151

$0.49 ETB 75.6

$1.96 ETB 302

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ETB 315

$1.27 ETB 197

$4.07 ETB 629

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 ETB 221

$0.99 ETB 153

$2.04 ETB 315

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 ETB 198

$0.51 ETB 78.6

$2.56 ETB 396

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 ETB 262

$0.99 ETB 153

$3.95 ETB 610

Eggs

$2.48 ETB 383

$1.18 ETB 183

$3.43 ETB 529

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.25 ETB 1,120

$3.04 ETB 470

$20.28 ETB 3,133

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.79 ETB 1,976

$7.56 ETB 1,168

$20.16 ETB 3,115

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.03 ETB 2,013

$8.07 ETB 1,247

$23.20 ETB 3,584

Apples (1kg)

$6.15 ETB 950

$2.92 ETB 451

$9.73 ETB 1,503

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 157

$0.51 ETB 78.7

$2.04 ETB 315

Oranges (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 353

$1.01 ETB 155

$3.23 ETB 499

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 ETB 141

$0.51 ETB 79.4

$1.49 ETB 230

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 ETB 103

$0.26 ETB 39.72

$1.75 ETB 270

Onion (1kg)

$1.85 ETB 285

$0.78 ETB 121

$2.93 ETB 453

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 108

$0.21 ETB 31.91

$0.98 ETB 152

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 ETB 103

$0.31 ETB 48.34

$1.15 ETB 177

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.89 ETB 601

$2.92 ETB 450

$6.03 ETB 931

Wine (Bottle)

$6.43 ETB 993

$4.11 ETB 635

$15.42 ETB 2,383

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 ETB 127

$0.57 ETB 88.5

$1.81 ETB 280

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 ETB 277

$0.79 ETB 122

$3.15 ETB 486

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 ETB 41.68

$0.10 ETB 14.89

$0.48 ETB 74.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.73 ETB 1,966

$10.17 ETB 1,572

$25.43 ETB 3,930

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 ETB 229

$1.02 ETB 157

$2.03 ETB 314

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.31 ETB 47.96

$0.24 ETB 36.77

$0.52 ETB 79.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.03 ETB 313

$1.52 ETB 235

$2.03 ETB 313

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 ETB 204

$0.76 ETB 117

$1.54 ETB 238

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

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

$49.1K ETB 7.6M

$62.4K ETB 9.6M

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

$54.4K ETB 8.4M

$45.4K ETB 7.0M

$65.6K ETB 10.1M

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

$134 ETB 20.7K

$60.5 ETB 9,354

$336 ETB 51.9K

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

$12.28 ETB 1,897

$8.09 ETB 1,249

$18.19 ETB 2,811

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$157 ETB 24.2K

$39.71 ETB 6,135

$381 ETB 58.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.8 ETB 9,555

$25.99 ETB 4,015

$112 ETB 17.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.71 ETB 5,517

$24.63 ETB 3,805

$49.25 ETB 7,609

Cinema Ticket

$4.89 ETB 755

$2.44 ETB 378

$8.11 ETB 1,254

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

$77.7 ETB 12.0K

$50.2 ETB 7,757

$127 ETB 19.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.0K ETB 6.2M

$29.7K ETB 4.6M

$55.4K ETB 8.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.51 ETB 7,341

$32.01 ETB 4,945

$86.0 ETB 13.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$77.3 ETB 11.9K

$28.16 ETB 4,351

$151 ETB 23.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 ETB 15.2K

$70.1 ETB 10.8K

$130 ETB 20.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 ETB 18.0K

$81.7 ETB 12.6K

$148 ETB 22.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$690 ETB 106.6K

$303 ETB 46.9K

$1,517 ETB 234.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 ETB 58.6K

$203 ETB 31.3K

$1,004 ETB 155.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,367 ETB 211.2K

$890 ETB 137.6K

$3,462 ETB 534.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$877 ETB 135.4K

$560 ETB 86.5K

$1,189 ETB 183.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,203 ETB 340.4K

$1,487 ETB 229.8K

$3,577 ETB 552.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,348 ETB 208.3K

$805 ETB 124.4K

$2,920 ETB 451.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$204 ETB 31.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 11, 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	$641	$1,082	$1,381	$2,418	64.02	4.84
2	Addis Ababa	3500000	70	$729	$1,405	$1,728	$2,747	247.51	7.95
3	Assela	-	41	$616	$830	$1,315	$1,672	-	-
4	Bahir Dar	-		$244	$369	$587	$773	143.13	4.7
5	Harar	132042						20.62	4.59
6	Hawassa	160000	41	$725	$815	$1,625	$1,628	77.17	5.22
7	Jimma	207573		$777	$1,007	$1,301	$1,802	134.98	36.91

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.