Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 460 Birr (¥1,176) | ¥1,025 | + 15% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 439 Birr (¥1,122) | ¥723 | + 55% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 409 Birr (¥1,045) | ¥519 | + 101% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 88 Birr (¥224) | ¥197 | + 14% | |
12 eggs, large | 135 Birr (¥344) | ¥316 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Birr (¥140) | ¥629 | - 78% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 563 Birr (¥1,439) | ¥962 | + 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 394 Birr (¥1,008) | ¥902 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 38 Birr (¥96) | ¥574 | - 83% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 Birr (¥134) | ¥285 | - 53% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 641 Birr (¥1,638) | ¥1,208 | + 36% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 66 Birr (¥170) | ¥184 | - 8% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 120 Birr (¥306) | ¥206 | + 49% | |
Housing | - 22% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 90,406 Birr (¥230,963) | ¥326,267 | - 29% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 50,695 Birr (¥129,512) | ¥171,772 | - 25% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,857 Birr (¥20,072) | ¥28,488 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 42,675 Birr (¥109,023) | ¥157,603 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,002 Birr (¥51,100) | ¥82,713 | - 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,436 Birr (¥16,442) | ¥24,082 | - 32% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,101 Birr (¥7,922) | ¥4,699 | + 69% | |
40” flat screen tv | 42,373 Birr (¥108,250) | ¥47,482 | + 128% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 9,770 Birr (¥24,960) | ¥32,093 | - 22% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 334 Birr (¥853) | ¥1,313 | - 35% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 200 Birr (¥511) | ¥1,878 | - 73% | |
Clothes | - 25% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,745 Birr (¥7,012) | ¥6,136 | + 14% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,224 Birr (¥3,127) | ¥5,199 | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,052 Birr (¥10,353) | ¥8,989 | + 15% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,760 Birr (¥7,052) | ¥13,588 | - 48% | |
Transportation | - 45% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,800,000 Birr (¥4,598,501) | ¥2,700,660 | + 70% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 65 Birr (¥165) | ¥165 | + 0% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 808 Birr (¥2,064) | ¥10,143 | - 80% | |
Personal Care | - 28% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 191 Birr (¥489) | ¥2,497 | - 80% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 200 Birr (¥511) | ¥1,967 | - 74% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 549 Birr (¥1,402) | ¥5,380 | - 74% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 92 Birr (¥236) | ¥650 | - 64% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 522 Birr (¥1,335) | ¥938 | + 42% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 180 Birr (¥460) | ¥702 | - 34% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 174 Birr (¥446) | ¥218 | + 104% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 118 Birr (¥302) | ¥216 | + 40% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 258 Birr (¥660) | ¥3,927 | - 83% | |
Entertainment | - 13% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Ethiopia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,363 Birr (¥3,481) | ¥4,141 | - 16% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 239 Birr (¥610) | ¥3,600 | - 83% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥4,000 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,832 Birr (¥7,235) | ¥5,993 | + 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 350 Birr (¥893) | ¥984 | - 9% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 167 Birr (¥425) | ¥472 | - 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 90 Birr (¥230) | ¥575 | - 60% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥101,122 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,929 Birr (¥7,484) | ¥9,280 | - 19% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 265 Birr (¥677) | ¥592 | + 14% | |
TOTAL | - 23% |

These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
2.555
JPY
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 23% cheaper than in Japan
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