Last update: Oct 2026 Ethiopia 160K

Cost of Living in Hawassa

For one person, living costs in Hawassa are estimated at $834 a month, including rent and utilities – 31% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Hawassa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Hawassa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $834 per month with rent, or $632 for everyday expenses alone.

$834 /mo

A couple spends around $1,199 per month with rent, or $997 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,199 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,564 per month with rent, or $1,362 without housing.

$1,564 /mo

Overall, Hawassa is 38–45% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are close to average – just 8% lower.

Currency
Do you live in Hawassa? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.90 ETB 625
$1.97 ETB 316
$9.74 ETB 1,563
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.11 ETB 6,758
$24.77 ETB 3,976
$51.5 ETB 8,269
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.56 ETB 1,054
$6.06 ETB 973
$7.07 ETB 1,135
Cappuccino
$0.95 ETB 153
$0.47 ETB 74.7
$2.07 ETB 332
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 ETB 102
$0.42 ETB 66.7
$1.04 ETB 167
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ETB 110
$0.31 ETB 50.1
$1.04 ETB 167
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.83 ETB 133
$0.52 ETB 83.4
$1.69 ETB 272
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30 ETB 370
$1.20 ETB 192
$3.07 ETB 493
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 ETB 172
$0.84 ETB 135
$1.49 ETB 239
White Bread (500g)
$1.17 ETB 188
$0.54 ETB 86.8
$2.95 ETB 473
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ETB 163
$1.01 ETB 163
$4.05 ETB 650
Eggs
$1.58 ETB 253
$0.97 ETB 156
$2.27 ETB 365
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.40 ETB 1,188
$3.00 ETB 482
$13.06 ETB 2,096
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.07 ETB 1,616
$7.47 ETB 1,199
$11.27 ETB 1,809
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.09 ETB 1,458
$7.19 ETB 1,153
$14.77 ETB 2,370
Apples (1kg)
$5.35 ETB 859
$2.99 ETB 479
$7.26 ETB 1,166
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 ETB 109
$0.51 ETB 82.4
$1.50 ETB 241
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 ETB 341
$0.97 ETB 156
$7.80 ETB 1,252
Tomato (1kg)
$0.66 ETB 106
$0.24 ETB 39.15
$0.98 ETB 157
Potato (1kg)
$0.50 ETB 80.5
$0.21 ETB 33.55
$1.05 ETB 168
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ETB 169
$0.69 ETB 111
$2.96 ETB 475
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.69 ETB 110
$0.31 ETB 49.27
$1.02 ETB 164
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 ETB 91.3
$0.23 ETB 37.15
$1.01 ETB 163
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.18 ETB 1,312
$3.07 ETB 492
$8.95 ETB 1,437
Wine (Bottle)
$5.55 ETB 891
$3.95 ETB 634
$9.48 ETB 1,522
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ETB 106
$0.48 ETB 76.6
$0.95 ETB 153
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 ETB 206
$0.72 ETB 115
$3.49 ETB 559
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.31 ETB 210
$0.99 ETB 159
$1.73 ETB 278
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 ETB 42.86
$0.19 ETB 30.61
$0.48 ETB 76.5
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 ETB 326
$1.52 ETB 244
$2.03 ETB 326
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 ETB 147
$0.73 ETB 117
$0.98 ETB 158
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$54.6K ETB 8.8M
$49.6K ETB 8.0M
$61.6K ETB 9.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$56.4K ETB 9.0M
$50.7K ETB 8.1M
$65.9K ETB 10.6M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$202 ETB 32.5K
$59.2 ETB 9,498
$345 ETB 55.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.21 ETB 1,158
$4.32 ETB 694
$9.87 ETB 1,584
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$213 ETB 34.2K
$71.3 ETB 11.4K
$452 ETB 72.5K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$3.84 ETB 616
$2.56 ETB 410
$8.49 ETB 1,363
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$136 ETB 21.9K
$58.1 ETB 9,323
$1,563 ETB 250.8K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.2K ETB 4.9M
$15.0K ETB 2.4M
$56.1K ETB 9.0M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.37 ETB 5,356
$15.11 ETB 2,424
$58.4 ETB 9,374
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.7 ETB 11.3K
$27.94 ETB 4,484
$150 ETB 24.0K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.6 ETB 12.6K
$39.97 ETB 6,415
$96.8 ETB 15.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.6 ETB 13.4K
$36.61 ETB 5,876
$162 ETB 25.9K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$494 ETB 79.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18.5
11
21

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Hawassa $834
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$423
Groceries & Markets
$205
Clothing & Footwear
$120
Eating Out
$76
Sport & Entertainment
$7.7 *
Getting Around
$2.6 *
Accommodation & Living
- *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $205 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $42.00 – broadly in line with the African average.

Cost Highlights

Internet is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,479 cities)

Chicken fillets is more expensive than 96% of cities in Africa

Local beer is cheaper than 95% of cities in Africa

Good to know
🕒 Local time
05:39 5:39 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
160,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ETB – Ethiopian Birr Converter

Ethiopian Birr exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 160 ETB (1,000 ETB = 6.23 USD). 1 EUR = 180 ETB (1,000 ETB = 5.54 EUR).

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Hawassa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Fixed Broadband

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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Hawassa - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawassa affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value here?
Cost of Living in Hawassa, Ethiopia shows a balance between city amenities and daily expenses that many find attractive. Local markets and casual eateries offer affordable options, while a growing selection of coworking spaces supports remote work. Value tends to arrive when you tailor your lifestyle: longer stays reduce per-day costs, cooking at home lowers restaurant bills, and dependable public transport minimizes commuting expenses. Seasonal crowds can influence prices for short visits, but steady routines help keep budgets predictable. Tip: map a neighborhood that balances safety, walkability, and proximity to your usual errands to maximize value.
What does daily life look like in Hawassa for housing, food options, transport, co-working, and errands?
Housing often ranges from lakeside apartments to central studios, with options that suit short stays or longer leases. Food options span vibrant markets, local eateries, and Western-style cafés; budget meals are abundant if you shop and cook. For transport, minibuses, bicycles, and walking cover most needs, while some neighborhoods offer ride-hailing services. Co-working spaces and wifi-enabled cafes are growing, helping you stay productive without a heavy overhead. Practical budgeting comes from planning groceries, avoiding peak tourist days, and choosing a compact living space near essential services. Hawassa, Ethiopia living cost can be managed with a simple home-cooked routine and walkable neighborhoods. Tip: build a weekly errand loop to minimize trips.
What factors affect quality of life, and what budgeting framework and neighborhood fit should you consider, including seasonality and saving strategies?
Quality of life in Hawassa rests on climate, pace, and community access. A simple budgeting framework helps you adapt: set fixed needs, then allocate flexible funds for dining, activities, and passes. To save, shop local markets, share housing, and leverage free public events or outdoor spaces around the lake. Seasonality matters: the dry season brings breezier days and easier outdoor routines, while the rainy period can affect transport and some outdoor plans. For neighborhood fit, look for walkable cores near shops, libraries, and green spaces, plus reliable wifi if you work remotely. Tip: start with a 2-4 week trial in a neighborhood that matches your daily rhythms.
What are the monthly living expenses in Hawassa as of 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Hawassa should plan on about $834 per month with rent, or $632 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Hawassa a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
By most standards, Hawassa is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $834, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Hawassa?
You'll want at least $1,252 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Hawassa. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Hawassa?
Groceries in Hawassa are cheap – a single person spends about $205 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Hawassa?
Food in Hawassa is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $205 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Hawassa?
$1,200 a month in Hawassa? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $834, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What is expat life like in Hawassa?
Hawassa has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. family-friendly facilities, wellness scene, café culture smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $834 including housing.
Is Hawassa budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Hawassa is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $834 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Hawassa vs other spots: cost of living compared

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