Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 460 Birr ($8) | $19 | - 55% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 439 Birr ($8) | $10 | - 20% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 409 Birr ($7) | $5.78 | + 29% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 88 Birr ($1.60) | $1.08 | + 48% | |
12 eggs, large | 135 Birr ($2.46) | $4.94 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Birr ($1.00) | $4.68 | - 79% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 563 Birr ($10) | $7 | + 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 394 Birr ($7) | $4.68 | + 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 38 Birr ($0.68) | $2.51 | - 73% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 Birr ($0.96) | $3.10 | - 69% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 641 Birr ($12) | $16 | - 26% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 66 Birr ($1.21) | $2.76 | - 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 120 Birr ($2.18) | $2.99 | - 27% | |
Housing | - 49% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 90,406 Birr ($1,649) | $2,839 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 50,695 Birr ($925) | $2,147 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,857 Birr ($143) | $222 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 42,675 Birr ($778) | $1,889 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,002 Birr ($365) | $1,444 | - 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,436 Birr ($117) | $146 | - 20% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,101 Birr ($57) | $64 | - 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | 42,373 Birr ($773) | $295 | + 162% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 9,770 Birr ($178) | $134 | + 33% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 334 Birr ($6) | $13 | - 55% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 200 Birr ($3.65) | $31 | - 88% | |
Clothes | - 40% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,745 Birr ($50) | $54 | - 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,224 Birr ($22) | $45 | - 50% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,052 Birr ($74) | $93 | - 21% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,760 Birr ($50) | $119 | - 58% | |
Transportation | - 51% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,800,000 Birr ($32,832) | $27,977 | + 17% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 65 Birr ($1.18) | $1.05 | + 12% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 808 Birr ($15) | $79 | - 81% | |
Personal Care | - 47% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 191 Birr ($3.49) | $8 | - 57% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 200 Birr ($3.65) | $21 | - 83% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 549 Birr ($10) | $139 | - 93% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 92 Birr ($1.68) | $8 | - 80% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 522 Birr ($10) | $4.80 | + 98% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 180 Birr ($3.28) | $6 | - 48% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 174 Birr ($3.18) | $4.78 | - 33% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 118 Birr ($2.15) | $2.24 | - 4% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 258 Birr ($4.71) | $27 | - 83% | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,363 Birr ($25) | $55 | - 55% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 239 Birr ($4.35) | $28 | - 84% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $203 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,832 Birr ($52) | $89 | - 42% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 350 Birr ($6) | $14 | - 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 167 Birr ($3.04) | $5.19 | - 41% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 90 Birr ($1.64) | $6 | - 74% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $556 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.20 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,929 Birr ($53) | $54 | - 2% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 265 Birr ($4.83) | $10 | - 52% | |
TOTAL | - 44% |

These prices were last updated on June 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01824
USD
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 44% cheaper than in United States
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