Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 26% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 26% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 916 Birr (₨1,898) | ₨1,155 | + 64% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,161 Birr (₨2,407) | ₨1,180 | + 104% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 502 Birr (₨1,040) | ₨523 | + 99% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 95 Birr (₨197) | ₨231 | - 15% | |
12 eggs, large | 223 Birr (₨462) | ₨309 | + 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 79 Birr (₨163) | ₨165 | - 2% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 383 Birr (₨793) | ₨836 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 346 Birr (₨718) | ₨279 | + 158% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 41 Birr (₨85) | ₨128 | - 33% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 77 Birr (₨160) | ₨391 | - 59% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 586 Birr (₨1,215) | ₨2,624 | - 54% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 75 Birr (₨155) | ₨210 | - 26% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 62 Birr (₨129) | ₨153 | - 16% | |
Housing | + 17% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 17% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 91,228 Birr (₨189,052) | ₨137,741 | + 37% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 75,514 Birr (₨156,488) | ₨58,708 | + 167% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,083 Birr (₨4,317) | ₨21,580 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 46,546 Birr (₨96,457) | ₨79,067 | + 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 30,139 Birr (₨62,456) | ₨35,699 | + 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,113 Birr (₨12,668) | ₨17,044 | - 26% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 808 Birr (₨1,674) | ₨2,308 | - 27% | |
40” flat screen tv | 47,783 Birr (₨99,021) | ₨58,431 | + 69% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 14,000 Birr (₨29,012) | ₨29,384 | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 246 Birr (₨510) | ₨1,281 | - 60% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 270 Birr (₨560) | ₨625 | - 10% | |
Clothes | - 2% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,872 Birr (₨8,024) | ₨4,832 | + 66% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,500 Birr (₨5,181) | ₨9,004 | - 42% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,245 Birr (₨23,303) | ₨13,089 | + 78% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,592 Birr (₨15,733) | ₨13,255 | + 19% | |
Transportation | - 22% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 22% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨2,800,000 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 94 Birr (₨195) | ₨272 | - 28% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 600 Birr (₨1,243) | ₨4,030 | - 69% | |
Personal Care | + 355% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 355% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Birr (₨2,072) | ₨230 | + 803% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,000 Birr (₨6,217) | ₨838 | + 642% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 50,000 Birr (₨103,615) | ₨3,307 | + 3034% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 Birr (₨124) | ₨1,222 | - 90% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 282 Birr (₨584) | ₨649 | - 10% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 149 Birr (₨309) | ₨557 | - 45% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 49 Birr (₨102) | ₨396 | - 74% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 31 Birr (₨64) | ₨217 | - 70% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨495 | - | |
Entertainment | + 4% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Ethiopia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,400 Birr (₨2,901) | ₨3,859 | - 25% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 213 Birr (₨442) | ₨1,827 | - 76% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨6,844 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 3,080 Birr (₨6,382) | ₨8,435 | - 24% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 100 Birr (₨207) | ₨2,877 | - 93% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,103 Birr (₨4,359) | ₨566 | + 670% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 100 Birr (₨207) | ₨803 | - 74% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨149,999 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨255 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,817 Birr (₨7,909) | ₨5,226 | + 51% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 473 Birr (₨980) | ₨637 | + 54% | |
TOTAL | + 20% |

These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.072
PKR
/
ETB
*
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 20% more expensive than in Pakistan
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