Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cost of Living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Addis Ababa costs approximately $580 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $795. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Addis Ababa is a city in Ethiopia, where a single person can expect to spend about $580 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $795 per month, or $555 outside the centre. Internet is slow at around 9 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Addis Ababa scores 42/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 72°F and winter highs around 75°F, with roughly 280 sunny days a year.

Top for Coffee CultureFamily friendlyMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$580≈ $19/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$795
Internet9 Mbps
Safety42/100
Avg Temp74°F

Addis Ababa Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$37.50
McDonald's Combo Meal$6.48
Cappuccino$0.98
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$0.95
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.77

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.32
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.12
Eggs (12)$1.95
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.97
Apples (1 lb)$2.72
Bananas (1 lb)$0.37
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.34
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.25
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.82
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$6.28
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$5.10

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.42
Monthly Transit Pass$10
Taxi Start$1.42
Taxi (1 Mile)$0.44
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.07
VW Golf (New)$55,000

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$163.75
Mobile Phone Plan$9.15
Broadband Internet$111.38

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$41.20
Cinema Ticket$3.75
Preschool (Monthly)$118.57
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$30,187.50

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$34.51
Nike Running Shoes$86.90

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$795.07
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$554.70
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,104.29
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$985.87
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$172.32
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$110.43

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$196
Mortgage Interest Rate18.5%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Addis Ababa

Internet9 Mbps
Safety42/100
Healthcare28/100
Public Transit25/100
Walkability38/100
Nightlife42/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture70/100
Air Quality58/100
Green Spaces42/100
Culture82/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free30 days

Addis Ababa FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Addis Ababa?

A single person should budget around $580 per month in Addis Ababa, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Addis Ababa?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Addis Ababa averages $795 per month, dropping to about $555 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,104.

Is Addis Ababa safe?

Addis Ababa scores 42/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 45/100.

How fast is the internet in Addis Ababa?

Median download speeds in Addis Ababa are around 9 Mbps — slow for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 15 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Ethiopia offer a digital nomad visa?

Ethiopia does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 30 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Addis Ababa?

Addis Ababa sees summer highs around 72°F and winter highs near 75°F, with about 280 sunny days and 100 rainy days per year.

Addis Ababa in our travel guides

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