Cost of living in Ethiopia compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 43% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ethiopia is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 445 Birr ($9) | $17 | - 50% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 459 Birr ($9) | $9 | - 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 330 Birr ($6) | $5.07 | + 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 30 Birr ($0.59) | $0.99 | - 40% | |
12 eggs, large | 119 Birr ($2.30) | $3.33 | - 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 21 Birr ($0.41) | $4.43 | - 91% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 200 Birr ($3.88) | $7 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 378 Birr ($7) | $3.93 | + 87% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Birr ($0.35) | $1.92 | - 82% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 30 Birr ($0.58) | $3.28 | - 82% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 800 Birr ($16) | $16 | - 1% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 91 Birr ($1.77) | $2.26 | - 22% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 Birr ($0.30) | $2.46 | - 88% | |
Housing | - 63% | |||
Housing in Ethiopia is 63% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 48,254 Birr ($937) | $2,513 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 45,000 Birr ($874) | $1,960 | - 55% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,000 Birr ($39) | $206 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 40,000 Birr ($777) | $1,778 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 30,000 Birr ($582) | $1,342 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,500 Birr ($29) | $139 | - 79% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 967 Birr ($19) | $56 | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | 13,537 Birr ($263) | $300 | - 12% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 5,478 Birr ($106) | $134 | - 21% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 200 Birr ($3.88) | $12 | - 68% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 187 Birr ($3.64) | $26 | - 86% | |
Clothes | - 44% | |||
Clothes in Ethiopia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,300 Birr ($25) | $51 | - 51% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,438 Birr ($28) | $46 | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,619 Birr ($31) | $92 | - 66% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,000 Birr ($78) | $120 | - 35% | |
Transportation | - 54% | |||
Transportation in Ethiopia is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,260,670 Birr ($24,474) | $25,474 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 31 Birr ($0.60) | $1.06 | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,000 Birr ($19) | $77 | - 75% | |
Personal Care | - 43% | |||
Personal Care in Ethiopia is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 191 Birr ($3.72) | $7 | - 50% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 200 Birr ($3.88) | $19 | - 80% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 500 Birr ($10) | $125 | - 92% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 92 Birr ($1.79) | $7 | - 76% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 563 Birr ($11) | $4.17 | + 162% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 156 Birr ($3.04) | $5.50 | - 45% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 100 Birr ($1.94) | $4.18 | - 54% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 100 Birr ($1.94) | $2.05 | - 5% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 154 Birr ($2.99) | $25 | - 88% | |
Entertainment | - 45% | |||
Entertainment in Ethiopia is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Ethiopia | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,255 Birr ($24) | $49 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 271 Birr ($5.27) | $27 | - 80% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,000 Birr ($19) | $196 | - 90% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,394 Birr ($46) | $83 | - 44% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 450 Birr ($9) | $13 | - 32% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 100 Birr ($1.94) | $5.19 | - 63% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 80 Birr ($1.55) | $6 | - 75% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $499 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.00 Birr ($0.10) | $0.17 | - 42% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,949 Birr ($38) | $53 | - 28% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 235 Birr ($4.57) | $9 | - 50% | |
TOTAL | - 53% |

These prices were last updated on May 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.01941
USD
/
ETB
Cost of living in Ethiopia is 53% cheaper than in United States
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