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 668

$1.99 ETB 304

$9.86 ETB 1,507

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.80 ETB 5,320

$24.86 ETB 3,800

$49.72 ETB 7,601

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.52 ETB 997

$6.06 ETB 926

$7.07 ETB 1,080

Cappuccino

$1.15 ETB 176

$0.49 ETB 74.7

$1.95 ETB 299

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

$0.60 ETB 91.5

$0.44 ETB 67.5

$0.98 ETB 150

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ETB 66.2

$0.26 ETB 39.74

$0.96 ETB 147

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ETB 156

$0.51 ETB 77.9

$2.04 ETB 311

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 ETB 299

$1.22 ETB 187

$3.91 ETB 597

Milk (1 liter)

$1.37 ETB 209

$0.95 ETB 145

$1.95 ETB 298

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 ETB 196

$0.51 ETB 77.7

$2.56 ETB 392

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 ETB 256

$0.97 ETB 149

$3.89 ETB 595

Eggs

$2.36 ETB 361

$1.13 ETB 172

$3.26 ETB 499

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.28 ETB 1,112

$3.05 ETB 467

$20.36 ETB 3,112

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.71 ETB 1,943

$7.51 ETB 1,148

$20.03 ETB 3,062

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.70 ETB 1,941

$7.86 ETB 1,202

$22.60 ETB 3,455

Apples (1kg)

$6.25 ETB 956

$2.97 ETB 454

$9.89 ETB 1,512

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 157

$0.51 ETB 78.6

$2.06 ETB 314

Oranges (1kg)

$2.34 ETB 357

$1.03 ETB 157

$3.31 ETB 505

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 ETB 131

$0.48 ETB 73.7

$1.40 ETB 214

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 ETB 104

$0.26 ETB 39.96

$1.78 ETB 272

Onion (1kg)

$1.85 ETB 283

$0.78 ETB 120

$2.94 ETB 450

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ETB 113

$0.22 ETB 33.31

$1.04 ETB 159

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 ETB 102

$0.31 ETB 47.96

$1.15 ETB 176

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 ETB 618

$3.03 ETB 463

$6.26 ETB 957

Wine (Bottle)

$6.29 ETB 961

$4.03 ETB 615

$15.09 ETB 2,308

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 ETB 128

$0.59 ETB 89.6

$1.85 ETB 284

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 ETB 271

$0.78 ETB 119

$3.11 ETB 476

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 ETB 44.38

$0.10 ETB 15.85

$0.52 ETB 79.2

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.65 ETB 1,934

$10.11 ETB 1,546

$25.28 ETB 3,865

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 ETB 218

$0.98 ETB 150

$1.96 ETB 299

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 44.28

$0.22 ETB 33.95

$0.48 ETB 73.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 ETB 302

$1.48 ETB 226

$1.97 ETB 302

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 ETB 202

$0.76 ETB 116

$1.54 ETB 235

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

$51.9K ETB 7.9M

$48.2K ETB 7.4M

$61.2K ETB 9.4M

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

$54.0K ETB 8.3M

$45.1K ETB 6.9M

$65.1K ETB 10.0M

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

$133 ETB 20.3K

$59.8 ETB 9,147

$332 ETB 50.8K

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

$12.07 ETB 1,845

$7.95 ETB 1,215

$17.88 ETB 2,733

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$158 ETB 24.2K

$40.11 ETB 6,131

$385 ETB 58.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 ETB 9,754

$26.81 ETB 4,098

$115 ETB 17.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.60 ETB 5,595

$25.24 ETB 3,859

$50.5 ETB 7,717

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ETB 785

$2.57 ETB 392

$8.52 ETB 1,303

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

$76.9 ETB 11.8K

$49.73 ETB 7,603

$125 ETB 19.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.2K ETB 6.1M

$29.8K ETB 4.6M

$55.6K ETB 8.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.94 ETB 7,176

$31.62 ETB 4,834

$85.0 ETB 13.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$77.3 ETB 11.8K

$28.17 ETB 4,306

$151 ETB 23.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 ETB 14.9K

$69.4 ETB 10.6K

$129 ETB 19.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 17.8K

$81.4 ETB 12.4K

$147 ETB 22.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$680 ETB 103.9K

$299 ETB 45.7K

$1,496 ETB 228.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 ETB 57.9K

$203 ETB 31.0K

$1,003 ETB 153.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,375 ETB 210.2K

$896 ETB 136.9K

$3,483 ETB 532.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$887 ETB 135.6K

$567 ETB 86.7K

$1,203 ETB 183.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,246 ETB 343.3K

$1,516 ETB 231.8K

$3,646 ETB 557.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,350 ETB 206.3K

$806 ETB 123.2K

$2,923 ETB 446.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$200 ETB 30.5K

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.