Cost of Living in Ethiopia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ethiopia
Address: ET

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $743 (excluding rent), and $1,256 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,680 (excluding rent), and $2,704 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.37 ETB 675

$1.99 ETB 308

$9.86 ETB 1,524

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.80 ETB 5,378

$24.86 ETB 3,842

$49.72 ETB 7,683

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.52 ETB 1,008

$6.06 ETB 936

$7.07 ETB 1,092

Cappuccino

$1.15 ETB 178

$0.49 ETB 75.5

$1.95 ETB 302

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

$0.60 ETB 92.4

$0.44 ETB 68.2

$0.98 ETB 152

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 67.0

$0.26 ETB 40.17

$0.96 ETB 149

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 157

$0.51 ETB 78.7

$2.04 ETB 315

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 ETB 302

$1.22 ETB 189

$3.91 ETB 604

Milk (1 liter)

$1.37 ETB 211

$0.95 ETB 146

$1.95 ETB 302

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 ETB 198

$0.51 ETB 78.6

$2.56 ETB 396

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 ETB 259

$0.97 ETB 150

$3.89 ETB 601

Eggs

$2.36 ETB 365

$1.13 ETB 174

$3.26 ETB 504

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.28 ETB 1,125

$3.05 ETB 472

$20.36 ETB 3,145

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.71 ETB 1,964

$7.51 ETB 1,161

$20.03 ETB 3,095

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.70 ETB 1,962

$7.86 ETB 1,215

$22.60 ETB 3,492

Apples (1kg)

$6.25 ETB 966

$2.97 ETB 459

$9.89 ETB 1,529

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 159

$0.51 ETB 79.4

$2.06 ETB 318

Oranges (1kg)

$2.34 ETB 361

$1.03 ETB 159

$3.31 ETB 511

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 ETB 133

$0.48 ETB 74.5

$1.40 ETB 216

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 105

$0.26 ETB 40.39

$1.78 ETB 275

Onion (1kg)

$1.85 ETB 287

$0.78 ETB 121

$2.94 ETB 455

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ETB 114

$0.22 ETB 33.68

$1.04 ETB 160

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 ETB 103

$0.31 ETB 48.48

$1.15 ETB 178

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 ETB 624

$3.03 ETB 468

$6.26 ETB 968

Wine (Bottle)

$6.29 ETB 972

$4.03 ETB 622

$15.09 ETB 2,333

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 ETB 130

$0.59 ETB 90.5

$1.85 ETB 287

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 ETB 274

$0.78 ETB 120

$3.11 ETB 481

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 ETB 44.86

$0.10 ETB 16.02

$0.52 ETB 80.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.65 ETB 1,955

$10.11 ETB 1,563

$25.28 ETB 3,907

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 ETB 221

$0.98 ETB 151

$1.96 ETB 302

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 44.76

$0.22 ETB 34.32

$0.48 ETB 74.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 305

$1.48 ETB 229

$1.97 ETB 305

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 ETB 205

$0.76 ETB 117

$1.54 ETB 238

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

$51.9K ETB 8.0M

$48.2K ETB 7.4M

$61.2K ETB 9.5M

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

$54.0K ETB 8.3M

$45.1K ETB 7.0M

$65.1K ETB 10.1M

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

$133 ETB 20.5K

$59.8 ETB 9,246

$332 ETB 51.3K

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

$12.07 ETB 1,865

$7.95 ETB 1,228

$17.88 ETB 2,763

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$158 ETB 24.4K

$40.11 ETB 6,198

$385 ETB 59.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 ETB 9,860

$26.81 ETB 4,143

$115 ETB 17.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.60 ETB 5,656

$25.24 ETB 3,900

$50.5 ETB 7,801

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ETB 793

$2.57 ETB 397

$8.52 ETB 1,317

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

$76.9 ETB 11.9K

$49.73 ETB 7,685

$125 ETB 19.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.2K ETB 6.2M

$29.8K ETB 4.6M

$55.6K ETB 8.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.94 ETB 7,254

$31.62 ETB 4,887

$85.0 ETB 13.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$77.3 ETB 11.9K

$28.17 ETB 4,353

$151 ETB 23.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 ETB 15.0K

$69.4 ETB 10.7K

$129 ETB 19.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.0K

$81.4 ETB 12.6K

$147 ETB 22.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$680 ETB 105.1K

$299 ETB 46.2K

$1,496 ETB 231.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 ETB 58.6K

$203 ETB 31.3K

$1,003 ETB 155.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,375 ETB 212.5K

$896 ETB 138.4K

$3,483 ETB 538.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$887 ETB 137.1K

$567 ETB 87.6K

$1,203 ETB 185.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,246 ETB 347.0K

$1,516 ETB 234.3K

$3,646 ETB 563.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,350 ETB 208.6K

$806 ETB 124.6K

$2,923 ETB 451.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$200 ETB 30.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 18, 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	$570	$1,089	$1,346	$2,452	64.02	4.84
2	Addis Ababa	3500000	70	$735	$1,419	$1,675	$2,771	247.51	7.95
3	Assela	-	41	$635	$803	$1,708	$1,671	-	-
4	Bahir Dar	-		$252	$372	$706	$766	143.13	4.7
5	Harar	132042						20.62	4.59
6	Hawassa	160000	41	$626	$826	$1,661	$1,667	77.17	5.22
7	Jimma	207573		$783	$1,014	$1,339	$1,772	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.