Cost of Living in Addis Ababa

Summary about cost of living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 7.66 $ 3.00-10.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 30.00 $ 15.38-60.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 5.60 $ 4.00-7.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 0.75 $ 0.50-2.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.30 $ 1.00-2.00
Cappuccino (regular) 0.73 $ 0.30-1.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 0.64 $ 0.50-1.80
Water (12 oz small bottle) 0.39 $ 0.30-1.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 3.67 $ 2.04-7.04
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 0.53 $ 0.20-0.97
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.87 $ 0.35-1.36
Eggs (regular) (12) 2.15 $ 1.44-3.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) 3.97 $ 1.36-9.07
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 3.48 $ 1.36-4.54
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 4.19 $ 1.81-9.07
Apples (1 lb) 1.45 $ 0.97-2.90
Banana (1 lb) 0.41 $ 0.28-0.51
Oranges (1 lb) 0.83 $ 0.57-1.13
Tomato (1 lb) 0.31 $ 0.18-0.47
Potato (1 lb) 0.19 $ 0.09-0.24
Onion (1 lb) 0.28 $ 0.18-0.45
Lettuce (1 head) 0.35 $ 0.20-0.75
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.35 $ 0.22-0.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 8.15 $ 5.00-10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 0.94 $ 0.50-1.51
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.32 $ 1.00-1.50
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 4.00 $ 2.00-6.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.35 $ 0.16-2.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 11.00 $ 10.00-20.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 1.30 $ 1.20-2.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 0.56 $ 0.40-0.80
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 3.00 $ 3.00-10.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 2.94 $ 1.89-4.35
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 26,000.00 $ 25,000.00-40,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 48,421.25 $ 44,000.00-50,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 132.50 $ 85.00-250.00
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.02 $ 0.01-0.03
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 202.38 $ 40.00-384.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 59.52 $ 30.00-400.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 28.75 $ 25.00-35.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 4.00 $ 3.30-6.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 74.57 $ 31.41-150.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 46,000.00 $ 40,000.00-56,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 26.18 $ 13.00-52.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 45.95 $ 28.00-70.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 61.59 $ 38.00-100.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 66.88 $ 20.00-150.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 476.12 $ 213.00-850.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 234.10 $ 100.00-400.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,789.93 $ 1,000.00-2,700.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 738.42 $ 350.00-1,300.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 160.68 $ 120.77-240.25
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 104.75 $ 82.96-139.35
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 185.88 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 16.03 14.00-17.00

Prices in Addis Ababa

This city had 437 entries in the past 12 months by 37 different contributors.
Last update: March 2023
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Sign Up for Our Newsletter:
Your Email Address:
  
Leave a comment:

Your name: Sign In

Your email address (optional):

Your comment (no HTML):

12 Comments so far
traveler man on Jun 20, 2022:
I visited several countries around the world, estimated at 44, and Ethiopia is considered one of the most expensive, despite the poor capabilities and infrastructure, unfortunately.
Anonymous on Aug 16, 2021:
I noticed some people saying Addis is "cheap". Rent at USD55, or average income being around USD60... I just want to say that these prices are meant for International people, expats and people working in NGOs and International Organization. And when you want to go to places with International standards (not local), the prices are much much much higher if not equivalent to places in the US or Europe.
Martin Hoeck on Jun 25, 2021:
Addis Ababa is now hugely expensive for everything. Some restaurants have added almost 80% to cost but in return the quality in many is below normal. Example - giving stale bread, reducing portions etc etc. If they have no Chips they still charge for them. Bole Airport is disgustingly high prices with very poor quality...totally dreadful.
Anonymous on Feb 23, 2021:
The capital is really cheap hands-down. Pay no attention to people giving costs on here. I'm from Addis my rent only $55usd monthly electric water combined $13usd monthly taxi anywhere in Addis less than $1usd.I don't know why people post over inflated prices because no truth to it. Outside of Addis less than half the price.
Anonymous on Jul 24, 2020:
The logistics performance index of Ethiopia is 2.59. It indicates a satisfactory performance - in general, traffic is handeled well, some flaws in certain areas are possible, but overall the logistics system performs reliably and is ready to handle predictable amounts of traffic.

Customs performance is rated at 2.42. It indicates a mediocre performance - although somewhat ineffective, clearence porcesses do not overly discourage international business activity, occasionally fees and/or documents needed may be unpredictable, long clearance time can also be a problem. http://www.confiduss.com/en/jurisdictions/ethiopia/infrastructure/
Tesfaye Tariku on May 15, 2020:
The cost of living in Addis is unheard of for such poor country. Your comparison index with dallas is absoult fabrication because based on the cost of living indicated in addis not even near to compare to Dallas. Because i live in it a middle class standard.
I feel sorry for the people in Addis. Such a scaming country.
Let me help you highlighting what i'm paying.
You specified cost of living in dallas for a single person - $848.11.
Let me breakdown for you my monthly cost.
- gas for car = $50
- water/garbage= $40
- Electricity = $55
- Internet/TV = $55 (High capacity 80 Mbps)
- car and house insurance = $55
food items, taking the highest = $300

Total = $541
Difference = 848.11 - 541 = $307.11

Despite such huge difference of your calculation on living cost in dallas, how do you compare a country of highest living standard to the country at the bottom of living standard?
If truly people are paying $848.11 /month for utilities expense, wondering where do they got the money to afford? Because according to recent survey the average income/month in Addis is 2000 birr, equivalent to $62.50 US dollars.
Unemployment rate is about60%.
No wonder 20%of the population in addis are homeless and god knows how many live with family/relatives because unable to afford by their own.
Taking all this factors, its telling me how the government is so inconsiderat to let you do what you wanted and at least not to consider to involve in housing project to adjust housing and other utilities. Free market concept is not to rob the population. Instead if necessary the government to involve cost adjustments, and if necessary directly involve to adjust the cost. One way is directly supply the to the public on reasonable prices so that those robbers will be out of business and new generation who understand doing business will emerge.
I feel sorry for the Ethiopian people.
Anonymous on Oct 14, 2019:
@karem when u stay in addis dont play with Ur $ to hotels so expensive;; so just stay good location furnished apartments reasonable price;;no worry abt neighborhood so welcoming ppl Enjoy Ur Time in addis with those beautiful culture
Kerem on Oct 11, 2019:
Hello, I was assigned as a lecturer. I will live in Addis Ababada for a year. Hotel prices are too expensive for a long stay. where do you think i should stay? What are the neighborhoods close to the university? Thank you.
Anonymous on Jul 22, 2019:
Living in addis ababa is really cheap. The price stated above are wrong you can live for 200$ a good quality of life. The price for vegitables and fruits are cheap all are less than 1$ except apple and orange.the for potato is 0.34,
Onion 0.62$ ,banana 0.7$,water 2liter 0.42$,tomato 0.59$,beef 1kg 6.8$,chicken 1kg 3.26$,and alcohol are also cheap Heineken beer 500ml 0.92$,wine 3.2$ and cigarette 0.72$ for pack, milk are 0.87$,cheese 4$,loaf bread 0.62$,egg 12 1.67$,rice 1kg 0.89$
When it come to restaurant local food are cheaper than the fast food you can eat local meal between 1$ to 2$ and the fast food are also cheap from 1$ to 2$
if you want a combo meal like mcdonald you can get it for 3$ or less and when it come to utilities
You will only pay less than 15$ a months that including electricity ,water and garbage mobile tarrif for 1 minute is 0.01$ and for monthly 4G unlimited internet is 66$ or you can use adsl or unlimited broadband internet starting from 19.3$.also the rent startes from 88$ for two rooms to a 3 bedroom villa for 235$.about clothes and shoes you can buy jean like 12$ and dress for 22$, nike shoes for 27$ and business leather shoes for 35$ ,box office movies on cinema for 3.2$, gym for 18$ ,
tennis court for 2hr 2$ and private school for month is around 38 $
Anonymus on May 05, 2019:
What they say about Living in addis ababa is difficult is wrong you can live comfortable with 400$
If you see the salaries it is low and they can survive with that. The salary for waiters ,guard, cashier,shopkeeper,sanitary worker and other type of workers is around 100$ and the teacher,doctor,engineer,and other bachelor degree jobs are from 200$ to 300$ so if they have good life with that salary so you could have the best life with 400$ and more
Ted on May 05, 2019:
You are right Getty every price you list is right and accurate.
When it come to forgeiners i advice to have local friends to get the price list so you can avoid scam. And the price vary as the place you rent. I advice you to live around atenatera, winget,
Mesalemyia, torhailoch or around bingham academy the price are cheap and great quality
Getty on May 05, 2019:
Living in addis ababa is really cheap. The price stated above are wrong you can live for 200$ a good quality of life. The price for vegitables and fruits are cheap all are less than 1$ except apple and orange.the for potato is 0.34,
Onion 0.62$ ,banana 0.7$,water 2liter 0.42$,tomato 0.59$,beef 1kg 6.8$,chicken 1kg 3.26$,and alcohol are also cheap Heineken beer 500ml 0.92$,wine 3.2$ and cigarette 0.72$ for pack, milk are 0.87$,cheese 4$,loaf bread 0.62$,egg 12 1.67$,rice 1kg 0.89$
When it come to restaurant local food are cheaper than the fast food you can eat local meal between 1$ to 2$ and the fast food are also cheap from 1$ to 2$
if you want a combo meal like mcdonald you can get it for 3$ or less and when it come to utilities
You will only pay less than 15$ a months that including electricity ,water and garbage mobile tarrif for 1 minute is 0.01$ and for monthly 4G unlimited internet is 66$ or you can use adsl or unlimited broadband internet starting from 19.3$.also the rent startes from 88$ for two rooms to a 3 bedroom villa for 235$.about clothes and shoes you can buy jean like 12$ and dress for 22$, nike shoes for 27$ and business leather shoes for 35$ ,box office movies on cinema for 3.2$, gym for 18$ ,
tennis court for 2hr 2$ and private school for month is around 38 $