Cost of Living in Addis Ababa
Summary of cost of living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,754.7$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 810.3$, excluding rent.
- Addis Ababa is 48.5% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Addis Ababa is, on average, 68.3% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 4.52 $ | |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 35.00 $ | |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 6.46 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | 1.00 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | 3.00 $ | |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 1.34 $ | |
| Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) | 0.71 $ | |
| Water (12 oz small bottle) | 0.51 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | 5.48 $ | |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | 1.12 $ | |
| Rice (white), (1 lb) | 1.04 $ | |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 2.45 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 3.43 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 6.28 $ | |
| Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 6.04 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 3.23 $ | |
| Banana (1 lb) | 0.46 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 1.04 $ | |
| Tomato (1 lb) | 0.43 $ | |
| Potato (1 lb) | 0.30 $ | |
| Onion (1 lb) | 0.84 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.60 $ | |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.68 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 7.00 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 0.98 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | 2.04 $ | |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 4.00 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.50 $ | |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 10.00 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 1.30 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | 0.44 $ | |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 2.00 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | 4.87 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 40,000.00 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 53,285.71 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | 159.50 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 12.22 $ | |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 130.20 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 70.33 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 36.25 $ | |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 5.70 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | 86.47 $ | |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 43,916.67 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 48.83 $ | |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) | 75.17 $ | |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 92.82 $ | |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 113.19 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 689.00 $ | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 502.86 $ | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1,808.67 $ | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 899.06 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 255.16 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 169.71 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 184.33 $ | |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 16.40 |
Prices in Addis Ababa
This city had 363 entries in the past 12 months by 35 different contributors.
Last update: 16 March 2025
Last update: 16 March 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Addis Ababa? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Shashemene | 163.41 miles |
| Cost of Living in Debre Mark'os | 191.64 miles |
| Cost of Living in Jimma | 213.73 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Addis Abeba
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 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Adis Abeba
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 ItalianoCosto della Vita a Addis Abeba
|
 FrançaisCoût de la Vie à Addis-Abeba
|
 EspañolCosto de Vida en Adís Abeba
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The price has increased but so has the exchange rate. Over the years I’m now paying 20$ more than 10 years ago.
As an individual I can easily live on 50$/ week or 200$/month.
I’m not a financial expert but anybody can do the maths once you realize that a bank employee earns 300-400$/month, a hotel receptionist less than 100$/month and a factory worker about 50$/month. My driver has to pay his mortgage for his condominium, which is about 4$/month for 24 years. After that he owns the place.
Yes, I know that some UN expats have a monthly allowance of 1500$ for house rent. And yes, you could buy a pot of Nescafé or Nutella for 30$ at the expat supermarket. But that doesn’t imply that Addis Ababa is an expensive city.
Life in the country side is even cheaper, expect to rent a three bedroom villa for 150-200$.
FYI, I have been living and working in this beautiful country since 1991. Welcome to Ethiopia.