6 Comments so far
ourmaninafrica on Nov 26, 2023:
Really, I have no idea what your sources are. My rent around Bole, a tiny apartment of 45 sq meters is 120$/month.
The price has increased but so has the exchange rate. Over the years I’m now paying 20$ more than 10 years ago.
As an individual I can easily live on 50$/ week or 200$/month.
I’m not a financial expert but anybody can do the maths once you realize that a bank employee earns 300-400$/month, a hotel receptionist less than 100$/month and a factory worker about 50$/month. My driver has to pay his mortgage for his condominium, which is about 4$/month for 24 years. After that he owns the place.
Yes, I know that some UN expats have a monthly allowance of 1500$ for house rent. And yes, you could buy a pot of Nescafé or Nutella for 30$ at the expat supermarket. But that doesn’t imply that Addis Ababa is an expensive city.
Life in the country side is even cheaper, expect to rent a three bedroom villa for 150-200$.
FYI, I have been living and working in this beautiful country since 1991. Welcome to Ethiopia.
jone on Apr 02, 2023:
I have been visiting Ethiopia since 1984 to 2022. Ethiopia, yes, was cheap in the eighties and nineties as well, but now it is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Addis Ababa is one of the most expensive cities, more expensive than Dubai, Riyadh, Tbilisi, Kiev, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Tashkent and many cities around the world Add to that the police who are chasing you and asking for money from you without the slightest right.
traveler man on Jun 20, 2022:
I visited several countries around the world, estimated at 44, and Ethiopia is considered one of the most expensive, despite the poor capabilities and infrastructure, unfortunately.
Anonymous on Aug 16, 2021:
I noticed some people saying Addis is "cheap". Rent at USD55, or average income being around USD60... I just want to say that these prices are meant for International people, expats and people working in NGOs and International Organization. And when you want to go to places with International standards (not local), the prices are much much much higher if not equivalent to places in the US or Europe.
Martin Hoeck on Jun 25, 2021:
Addis Ababa is now hugely expensive for everything. Some restaurants have added almost 80% to cost but in return the quality in many is below normal. Example - giving stale bread, reducing portions etc etc. If they have no Chips they still charge for them. Bole Airport is disgustingly high prices with very poor quality...totally dreadful.
Anonymous on Feb 23, 2021:
The capital is really cheap hands-down. Pay no attention to people giving costs on here. I'm from Addis my rent only $55usd monthly electric water combined $13usd monthly taxi anywhere in Addis less than $1usd.I don't know why people post over inflated prices because no truth to it. Outside of Addis less than half the price.
