Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 41% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 41% more expensive than in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 553 Birr (72元) | 46元 | + 58% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 594 Birr (78元) | 40元 | + 95% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 391 Birr (51元) | 15元 | + 238% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 110 Birr (14元) | 17元 | - 17% | |
12 eggs, large | 171 Birr (22元) | 18元 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 71 Birr (9元) | 11元 | - 13% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 292 Birr (38元) | 62元 | - 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 364 Birr (47元) | 15元 | + 213% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 113 Birr (15元) | 7元 | + 122% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 53 Birr (7元) | 6元 | + 7% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 865 Birr (113元) | 118元 | - 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 80 Birr (10元) | 9元 | + 15% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 62 Birr (8元) | 15元 | - 46% | |
Housing | + 3% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is about the same as in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 94,078 Birr (12,290元) | 13,507元 | - 9% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 58,833 Birr (7,686元) | 7,710元 | - 0% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,660 Birr (739元) | 488元 | + 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 53,015 Birr (6,926元) | 7,095元 | - 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 28,558 Birr (3,731元) | 4,246元 | - 12% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,458 Birr (582元) | 271元 | + 115% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,132 Birr (148元) | 113元 | + 30% | |
40” flat screen tv | 33,534 Birr (4,381元) | 1,322元 | + 231% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 12,406 Birr (1,621元) | 592元 | + 174% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 260 Birr (34元) | 34元 | + 0% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 49元 | - | |
Clothes | - 14% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 14% cheaper than in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,091 Birr (404元) | 510元 | - 21% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,748 Birr (228元) | 252元 | - 9% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,965 Birr (649元) | 624元 | + 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,261 Birr (557元) | 839元 | - 34% | |
Transportation | - 9% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 9% cheaper than in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,800,000 Birr (235,151元) | 159,743元 | + 47% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 77 Birr (10元) | 9元 | + 15% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 719 Birr (94元) | 198元 | - 53% | |
Personal Care | + 104% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 104% more expensive than in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Birr (131元) | 41元 | + 215% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,000 Birr (392元) | 29元 | + 1263% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,000 Birr (131元) | 328元 | - 60% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 Birr (8元) | 52元 | - 85% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 466 Birr (61元) | 45元 | + 34% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 622 Birr (81元) | 36元 | + 123% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 126 Birr (16元) | 12元 | + 39% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 147 Birr (19元) | 15元 | + 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 230 Birr (30元) | 86元 | - 65% | |
Entertainment | + 15% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
Ethiopia | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 2,970 Birr (388元) | 249元 | + 56% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 282 Birr (37元) | 111元 | - 67% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,566元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,134 Birr (279元) | 399元 | - 30% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 363 Birr (47元) | 76元 | - 38% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 123 Birr (16元) | 30元 | - 47% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Birr (8元) | 15元 | - 50% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 2,783元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.24元 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,250 Birr (163元) | 427元 | - 62% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,035 Birr (266元) | 24元 | + 1028% | |
TOTAL | + 14% |

These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.13064
CNY
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 14% more expensive than in China
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