Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 5% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 5% more expensive than in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 820 Birr (₨526) | ₨425 | + 24% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,161 Birr (₨745) | ₨363 | + 105% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 502 Birr (₨322) | ₨180 | + 79% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 95 Birr (₨61) | ₨61 | - 0% | |
12 eggs, large | 223 Birr (₨143) | ₨102 | + 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 74 Birr (₨47) | ₨44 | + 7% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 383 Birr (₨246) | ₨250 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 315 Birr (₨202) | ₨194 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 33 Birr (₨21) | ₨41 | - 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 58 Birr (₨37) | ₨162 | - 77% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 586 Birr (₨376) | ₨941 | - 60% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 75 Birr (₨48) | ₨92 | - 48% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 62 Birr (₨40) | ₨40 | + 0% | |
Housing | - 9% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 9% cheaper than in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 79,055 Birr (₨50,725) | ₨46,262 | + 10% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 63,136 Birr (₨40,511) | ₨29,291 | + 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,083 Birr (₨1,337) | ₨5,648 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 46,546 Birr (₨29,866) | ₨29,589 | + 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 30,139 Birr (₨19,338) | ₨17,760 | + 9% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,113 Birr (₨3,922) | ₨4,874 | - 20% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 894 Birr (₨574) | ₨727 | - 21% | |
40” flat screen tv | 47,783 Birr (₨30,660) | ₨25,901 | + 18% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 14,000 Birr (₨8,983) | ₨12,652 | - 29% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 246 Birr (₨158) | ₨511 | - 69% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 265 Birr (₨170) | ₨523 | - 67% | |
Clothes | - 4% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is about the same as in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,872 Birr (₨2,484) | ₨2,399 | + 4% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,500 Birr (₨1,604) | ₨2,579 | - 38% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,245 Birr (₨7,215) | ₨4,001 | + 80% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,592 Birr (₨4,871) | ₨2,864 | + 70% | |
Transportation | - 31% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 31% cheaper than in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨1,701,050 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 94 Birr (₨60) | ₨104 | - 42% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 600 Birr (₨385) | ₨1,619 | - 76% | |
Personal Care | + 291% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 291% more expensive than in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Birr (₨642) | ₨97 | + 561% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,000 Birr (₨1,925) | ₨217 | + 788% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 50,000 Birr (₨32,082) | ₨1,173 | + 2636% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 Birr (₨38) | ₨329 | - 88% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 282 Birr (₨181) | ₨220 | - 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 149 Birr (₨96) | ₨307 | - 69% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 49 Birr (₨32) | ₨195 | - 84% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 31 Birr (₨20) | ₨97 | - 79% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨315 | - | |
Entertainment | + 22% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 22% more expensive than in India | ||||
Ethiopia | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,000 Birr (₨3,208) | ₨1,419 | + 126% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 213 Birr (₨137) | ₨590 | - 77% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,843 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 3,080 Birr (₨1,976) | ₨2,143 | - 8% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 100 Birr (₨64) | ₨766 | - 92% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,103 Birr (₨1,350) | ₨240 | + 461% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 100 Birr (₨64) | ₨208 | - 69% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨42,526 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨7 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,817 Birr (₨2,449) | ₨1,579 | + 55% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 473 Birr (₨304) | ₨271 | + 12% | |
TOTAL | + 11% |

These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.642
INR
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 11% more expensive than in India
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