Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 49% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 239 Birr ($5.94) | $15 | - 60% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 280 Birr ($7) | $8 | - 15% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 242 Birr ($6) | $4.25 | + 42% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 33 Birr ($0.81) | $0.88 | - 9% | |
12 eggs, large | 67 Birr ($1.65) | $2.94 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 23 Birr ($0.56) | $4.12 | - 86% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 157 Birr ($3.90) | $6 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 133 Birr ($3.31) | $3.29 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Birr ($0.44) | $1.68 | - 74% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 32 Birr ($0.79) | $3.29 | - 76% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 298 Birr ($7) | $14 | - 48% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 43 Birr ($1.06) | $1.99 | - 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 Birr ($0.36) | $2.06 | - 82% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,405 Birr ($904) | $2,211 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 21,456 Birr ($533) | $1,555 | - 66% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,232 Birr ($55) | $178 | - 69% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 22,790 Birr ($566) | $1,544 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,560 Birr ($262) | $1,121 | - 77% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,684 Birr ($42) | $113 | - 63% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 997 Birr ($25) | $50 | - 50% | |
40” flat screen tv | 13,199 Birr ($328) | $270 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 5,478 Birr ($136) | $128 | + 6% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 237 Birr ($5.89) | $11 | - 44% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 187 Birr ($4.66) | $22 | - 79% | |
Clothes | - 36% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 696 Birr ($17) | $47 | - 63% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,306 Birr ($32) | $43 | - 25% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,372 Birr ($59) | $87 | - 33% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,030 Birr ($50) | $108 | - 54% | |
Transportation | - 52% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,132,220 Birr ($28,129) | $23,606 | + 19% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 20 Birr ($0.50) | $0.64 | - 22% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 532 Birr ($13) | $74 | - 82% | |
Personal Care | - 42% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 191 Birr ($4.76) | $7 | - 33% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 482 Birr ($12) | $16 | - 27% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 636 Birr ($16) | $112 | - 86% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 92 Birr ($2.29) | $7 | - 65% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 218 Birr ($5.42) | $3.46 | + 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 156 Birr ($3.89) | $4.96 | - 22% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 67 Birr ($1.67) | $3.66 | - 54% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 111 Birr ($2.75) | $1.81 | + 52% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 176 Birr ($4.38) | $22 | - 80% | |
Entertainment | - 56% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 819 Birr ($20) | $46 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 150 Birr ($3.74) | $25 | - 85% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,000 Birr ($25) | $206 | - 88% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,362 Birr ($34) | $80 | - 58% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 429 Birr ($11) | $12 | - 14% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 52 Birr ($1.29) | $5.06 | - 75% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 53 Birr ($1.31) | $5.84 | - 78% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $421 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.00 Birr ($0.12) | $0.51 | - 76% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,610 Birr ($40) | $49 | - 18% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 125 Birr ($3.10) | $8 | - 62% | |
TOTAL | - 54% |

These prices were last updated on March 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.02484
USD
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 54% cheaper than in United States
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