Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 64% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 820 Birr ($6) | $21 | - 69% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,161 Birr ($9) | $12 | - 23% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 502 Birr ($3.97) | $5.51 | - 28% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 95 Birr ($0.75) | $1.07 | - 30% | |
12 eggs, large | 295 Birr ($2.33) | $5.01 | - 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 74 Birr ($0.58) | $4.44 | - 87% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 383 Birr ($3.02) | $7 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 315 Birr ($2.48) | $3.79 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 33 Birr ($0.26) | $1.98 | - 87% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 58 Birr ($0.45) | $3.97 | - 89% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 586 Birr ($4.63) | $18 | - 74% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 75 Birr ($0.59) | $2.89 | - 80% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 49 Birr ($0.39) | $2.61 | - 85% | |
Housing | - 81% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 81% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 79,055 Birr ($624) | $2,776 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 63,136 Birr ($499) | $2,037 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,083 Birr ($16) | $226 | - 93% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 46,546 Birr ($368) | $2,067 | - 82% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 30,139 Birr ($238) | $1,456 | - 84% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,113 Birr ($48) | $168 | - 71% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 894 Birr ($7) | $59 | - 88% | |
40” flat screen tv | 47,783 Birr ($377) | $248 | + 52% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 14,000 Birr ($111) | $148 | - 25% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 246 Birr ($1.95) | $15 | - 87% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 265 Birr ($2.09) | $34 | - 94% | |
Clothes | - 57% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,378 Birr ($27) | $55 | - 52% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,800 Birr ($14) | $51 | - 72% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 11,007 Birr ($87) | $105 | - 17% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 6,594 Birr ($52) | $139 | - 62% | |
Transportation | - 3% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is about the same as in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $30,719 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 93 Birr ($0.73) | $0.93 | - 21% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | $79 | - | |
Personal Care | - 64% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Birr ($8) | $9 | - 16% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,000 Birr ($24) | $22 | + 10% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,823 Birr ($14) | $155 | - 91% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 60 Birr ($0.47) | $9 | - 95% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 282 Birr ($2.23) | $5.26 | - 58% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 149 Birr ($1.18) | $7 | - 83% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 49 Birr ($0.39) | $5.05 | - 92% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 34 Birr ($0.27) | $2.43 | - 89% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 412 Birr ($3.25) | $30 | - 89% | |
Entertainment | - 38% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 5,000 Birr ($39) | $61 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 213 Birr ($1.69) | $29 | - 94% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $216 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 3,080 Birr ($24) | $103 | - 76% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 100 Birr ($0.79) | $15 | - 95% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,103 Birr ($17) | $6 | + 176% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 94 Birr ($0.75) | $7 | - 90% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $491 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.55 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,817 Birr ($30) | $63 | - 52% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,105 Birr ($9) | $11 | - 18% | |
TOTAL | - 60% |

These prices were last updated on February 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00790
USD
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 60% cheaper than in United States
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