Travel budget in Ethiopia

Ethiopia: calculate your travel budget

Ethiopia: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Ethiopia for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 51 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 8.9 per person
  • $ 1.3 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 997* (128632 ETB)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 73 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 16 per person
  • $ 3.1 per person
  • $ 6 per person

Total budget:

$ 1723* (222432 ETB)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 77 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 26 per person
  • $ 6 per person
  • $ 12 per person

Total budget:

$ 2301* (297080 ETB)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Ethiopia in 2025

Cost of living: Ethiopia VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Ethiopia in 2025 is 30% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-66%-66%-60%-60%-31%-31%-48%-48%+11%+11%+12%+12%Price variation between Ethiopia and United States in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-80-60-40-20020



Local prices in Ethiopia by expense type

Ethiopia: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Ethiopia costs 66% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Ethiopia compared to United States2020373711115.95.94.54.518186611United StatesEthiopiaLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840
Lunch
Lunch
$ 4.5/person
($ 3 to $ 11)

76% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 18/person
($ 7.6 to $ 24)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 6/person
($ 5.7 to $ 6.5)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1 for 500ml
($ 0.5 to $ 2)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2 for 330ml
($ 1 to $ 3.3)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 1/cup
($ 0.5 to $ 2)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.6/can
($ 0.5 to $ 1)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Ethiopia: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Ethiopia costs 60% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Ethiopia compared to United States15115122322331031016116122622673737474808065656767United StatesEthiopia2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house020406080100120140160180200220240260280300320340
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 65/night
($ 38 to $ 156)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 160
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 73/night
($ 56 to $ 114)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 74/night
($ 58 to $ 110)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 80/night
($ 66 to $ 112)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 310
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 84/night
($ 53 to $ 143)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 490
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 65/month
($ 38 to $ 156)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 73/month
($ 47 to $ 135)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 238
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 96/month
($ 69 to $ 155)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 67/month
($ 46 to $ 122)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Family room
Family room
$ 172/month
($ 139 to $ 249)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

Ethiopia: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Ethiopia costs 31% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Ethiopia compared to United States3.63.612124.84.82.92.92.52.513130.80.80.60.6United StatesEthiopiaEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes01234567891011121314
Milk
Milk
$ 1.5/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 2)

41% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 2.2/500g
($ 1 to $ 4)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 1.9/kg
($ 1 to $ 4)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.5/12 eggs
($ 1.3 to $ 3.4)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 13/kg
($ 7 to $ 21)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 6.7/kg
($ 3 to $ 11)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 0.8/kg
($ 0.4 to $ 1.5)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 0.6/kg
($ 0.2 to $ 1)

76% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.6
($ 0.2 to $ 1.2)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Ethiopia: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Ethiopia costs 48% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Ethiopia compared to United States2.42.41.71.70.90.971710.30.30.30.31.31.33636United StatesEthiopiaBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.3/ticket
($ 0.1 to $ 0.5)

85% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.3/km
($ 0.2 to $ 0.5)

81% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.5)

36% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.3
($ 1 to $ 2)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 36/24hrs
($ 34 to $ 39)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Ethiopia: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Ethiopia is 11% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 6/ticket
($ 3.6 to $ 8.3)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 37/hr
($ 26 to $ 51)

77% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Ethiopia: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Ethiopia is 12% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 4/pack
($ 3 to $ 6.2)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 49
($ 33 to $ 88)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 86
($ 36 to $ 152)

101% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42


About the information on the cost of living in Ethiopia

The information about the cost of living in Ethiopia shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Ethiopia updated on 28-01-2025.

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