Capital city, Ethiopia
Cost of living in Addis Ababa
How much a month costs in Addis Ababa
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $553–921 (Br90,000–150,000).
Prices in Addis Ababa
Typical 2026 ranges in ETB, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | ETB | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Br45,000–100,000 | $276–614 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Br20,000–45,000 | $123–276 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Br600–1,500 | $3.7–9.2 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Br4,500–12,000 | $28–74 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Br200–450 | $1.2–2.8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Br700–1,600 | $4.3–9.8 |
| Cappuccino | Br80–180 | $0.5–1.1 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Br80–160 | $0.49–0.98 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Br5–40 | $0.03–0.25 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Br250–600 | $1.5–3.7 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | Br400–900 | $2.5–5.5 |
| Gym membership (month) | Br3,000–8,000 | $18–49 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Br400–900 | $2.5–5.5 |
Value for money: 91/100
A value score of 91/100 means Addis Ababa gives more quality of life per dollar than 90% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 50/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Ethiopia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Lalibela | $338–553 | 96/100 |
| Addis Ababa | $553–921 | 91/100 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Addis Ababa?
About $215–338 on a lean budget, $553–921 for a comfortable month and $1,230–2,150 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Addis Ababa?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Br45,000–100,000 ($276–614) a month in the center and Br20,000–45,000 ($123–276) outside it.
How much does food cost in Addis Ababa?
A local meal is Br200–450 ($1.2–2.8); a mid-range restaurant is Br700–1,600 ($4.3–9.8) per person.
Is Ethiopia expensive?
Prices in Ethiopia are about 37% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Addis Ababa
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Ethiopian e-visa portal
- Ethiopian Airlines
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.