Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Ethiopia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 230 Birr ($7) | $14 | - 51% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 213 Birr ($7) | $8 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 221 Birr ($7) | $4.32 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Birr ($0.96) | $0.88 | + 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 59 Birr ($1.82) | $3.00 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 23 Birr ($0.73) | $4.08 | - 82% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 154 Birr ($4.77) | $6 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 122 Birr ($3.78) | $3.39 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 16 Birr ($0.51) | $1.74 | - 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Birr ($0.71) | $3.21 | - 78% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 216 Birr ($7) | $15 | - 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 44 Birr ($1.37) | $1.92 | - 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 Birr ($0.47) | $2.07 | - 77% | |
| Housing | - 22% | |||
| Housing in Ethiopia is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 29,763 Birr ($924) | $2,231 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,316 Birr ($537) | $1,605 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,526 Birr ($171) | $179 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,199 Birr ($627) | $1,614 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 13,808 Birr ($428) | $1,141 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,557 Birr ($141) | $117 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,281 Birr ($133) | $48 | + 178% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 18,140 Birr ($563) | $300 | + 87% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,373 Birr ($229) | $121 | + 89% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 185 Birr ($5.75) | $11 | - 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $22 | - | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Ethiopia is 4% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 860 Birr ($27) | $49 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,859 Birr ($58) | $44 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,154 Birr ($67) | $87 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,145 Birr ($67) | $114 | - 41% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Ethiopia is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,100,550 Birr ($34,152) | $22,993 | + 49% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 20 Birr ($0.62) | $0.77 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 872 Birr ($27) | $79 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Ethiopia is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 72 Birr ($2.24) | $7 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 145 Birr ($4.49) | $20 | - 78% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 838 Birr ($26) | $110 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 110 Birr ($3.41) | $7 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 124 Birr ($3.86) | $3.51 | + 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 142 Birr ($4.39) | $5.02 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 55 Birr ($1.70) | $3.54 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 49 Birr ($1.53) | $1.85 | - 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 151 Birr ($4.68) | $22 | - 79% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Ethiopia is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 645 Birr ($20) | $45 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 175 Birr ($5.43) | $25 | - 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $221 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,076 Birr ($33) | $75 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 166 Birr ($5.14) | $12 | - 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 38 Birr ($1.18) | $4.81 | - 75% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 34 Birr ($1.06) | $5.82 | - 82% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 20,343 Birr ($631) | $405 | + 56% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.47 Birr ($0.05) | $0.19 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,841 Birr ($57) | $54 | + 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 94 Birr ($2.91) | $8 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 51,457 prices entered by 6,492 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.03103
USD
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 32% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 18% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 48% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 54% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 51% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 8% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 11% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 37% cheaper than in United States