Cost of Living in Ethiopia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ethiopia
Address: ET

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $753 (excluding rent), and $1,260 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,707 (excluding rent), and $2,744 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.49 ETB 694

$2.05 ETB 316

$10.14 ETB 1,566

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.57 ETB 5,339

$24.69 ETB 3,814

$49.39 ETB 7,627

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.41 ETB 991

$5.96 ETB 920

$6.95 ETB 1,073

Cappuccino

$1.17 ETB 180

$0.49 ETB 76.4

$1.98 ETB 306

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

$0.59 ETB 91.3

$0.44 ETB 67.4

$0.97 ETB 150

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.46 ETB 71.2

$0.28 ETB 42.70

$1.02 ETB 158

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ETB 159

$0.51 ETB 79.5

$2.06 ETB 318

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 ETB 307

$1.24 ETB 192

$3.98 ETB 614

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 ETB 222

$1.00 ETB 154

$2.05 ETB 317

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 ETB 198

$0.51 ETB 78.7

$2.57 ETB 397

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 ETB 268

$1.01 ETB 156

$4.04 ETB 624

Eggs

$2.47 ETB 382

$1.18 ETB 182

$3.42 ETB 529

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.32 ETB 1,131

$3.07 ETB 475

$20.49 ETB 3,164

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.74 ETB 1,968

$7.53 ETB 1,163

$20.08 ETB 3,101

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.90 ETB 1,992

$7.99 ETB 1,233

$22.96 ETB 3,546

Apples (1kg)

$6.42 ETB 992

$3.05 ETB 471

$10.16 ETB 1,569

Banana (1kg)

$1.01 ETB 156

$0.51 ETB 78.2

$2.03 ETB 313

Oranges (1kg)

$2.20 ETB 340

$0.97 ETB 150

$3.12 ETB 481

Tomato (1kg)

$0.87 ETB 134

$0.49 ETB 75.4

$1.42 ETB 219

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 96.7

$0.24 ETB 37.20

$1.64 ETB 253

Onion (1kg)

$1.94 ETB 299

$0.82 ETB 127

$3.07 ETB 475

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ETB 106

$0.20 ETB 31.38

$0.97 ETB 149

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 ETB 103

$0.31 ETB 48.39

$1.15 ETB 177

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.91 ETB 604

$2.93 ETB 453

$6.06 ETB 936

Wine (Bottle)

$5.95 ETB 918

$3.96 ETB 612

$9.91 ETB 1,531

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 ETB 134

$0.61 ETB 93.8

$1.92 ETB 297

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 ETB 278

$0.79 ETB 122

$3.16 ETB 488

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 ETB 44.83

$0.10 ETB 16.01

$0.52 ETB 80.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.64 ETB 1,952

$10.11 ETB 1,561

$25.26 ETB 3,902

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 ETB 221

$0.98 ETB 151

$1.96 ETB 303

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 44.70

$0.22 ETB 34.27

$0.48 ETB 74.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.04 ETB 315

$1.53 ETB 236

$2.04 ETB 315

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ETB 196

$0.73 ETB 113

$1.48 ETB 228

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

$53.0K ETB 8.2M

$49.3K ETB 7.6M

$62.6K ETB 9.7M

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

$54.5K ETB 8.4M

$45.6K ETB 7.0M

$65.8K ETB 10.2M

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

$135 ETB 20.9K

$61.0 ETB 9,422

$339 ETB 52.3K

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

$12.03 ETB 1,857

$7.92 ETB 1,223

$17.82 ETB 2,752

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$159 ETB 24.5K

$40.23 ETB 6,214

$386 ETB 59.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.8 ETB 9,549

$25.98 ETB 4,012

$112 ETB 17.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.55 ETB 5,644

$25.20 ETB 3,893

$50.4 ETB 7,785

Cinema Ticket

$4.98 ETB 769

$2.49 ETB 385

$8.27 ETB 1,277

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

$77.3 ETB 11.9K

$49.99 ETB 7,721

$126 ETB 19.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.1K ETB 6.2M

$29.8K ETB 4.6M

$55.5K ETB 8.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.65 ETB 7,359

$32.10 ETB 4,958

$86.3 ETB 13.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$75.6 ETB 11.7K

$27.56 ETB 4,256

$148 ETB 22.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.9 ETB 15.1K

$69.8 ETB 10.8K

$130 ETB 20.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 ETB 18.5K

$83.8 ETB 12.9K

$151 ETB 23.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$689 ETB 106.5K

$303 ETB 46.8K

$1,516 ETB 234.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 ETB 58.5K

$202 ETB 31.3K

$1,002 ETB 154.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,389 ETB 214.5K

$905 ETB 139.7K

$3,519 ETB 543.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$890 ETB 137.4K

$568 ETB 87.8K

$1,206 ETB 186.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,982 ETB 306.0K

$1,517 ETB 234.3K

$3,539 ETB 546.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,116 ETB 172.4K

$812 ETB 125.4K

$2,233 ETB 344.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$202 ETB 31.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: February 1, 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	$567	$1,087	$1,674	$2,416	64.02	4.84
2	Addis Ababa	3500000	70	$733	$1,382	$1,714	$2,750	247.51	7.95
3	Assela	-	41	$741	$803	$1,508	$1,661	-	-
4	Bahir Dar	-		$262	$367	$694	$753	143.13	4.7
5	Harar	132042						20.62	4.59
6	Hawassa	160000	41	$747	$798	$1,444	$1,638	77.17	5.22
7	Jimma	207573		$751	$1,019	$1,209	$1,835	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.