Cost Of Living in Mekele 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Mekele

Whether you're living in Mekele or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Mekele is 5,900 ETB. Expenses can range from 830 ETB at the minimum level to 40,000 ETB at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Mekele is 9,900 ETB. Expenditure can range from 3,300 ETB to 53,000 ETB per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Mekele is 13,000 ETB per month. Families spend anywhere from 4,600 ETB to 86,000 ETB.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Mekele is 4,400 ETB. Students spend from 660 ETB to 29,000 ETB per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Mekele

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Mekele is 82% This means that on average, people spend around 82% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
74%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

68%

82%

Couple
78%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

72%

86%

Family
86%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

79%

95%

How do people spend their money in Mekele?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Mekele typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 2,600 ETB with expenditure ranging from 200 ETB to 26,000 ETB. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mekele ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 430 ETB with 33 ETB and 4,300 ETB being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 66 ETB to 8,600 ETB on commuting with 860 ETB being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Mekele is 2,100 ETB. The cost of groceries can range between 160 ETB to 21,000 ETB. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

People in Mekele allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 46 ETB to 6,000 ETB with 600 ETB being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 26 ETB to 3,400 ETB with 340 ETB being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 510 ETB per month with 40 ETB being the minimum spent amount and 5,100 ETB being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Mekele every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Mekele manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 46% of the surveyed people in Mekele said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 54% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Mekele

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 8.5% to 27% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 16% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 2,400 ETB on average with savings ranging from 190 ETB to 24,000 ETB.

52% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 47% of couples said the same. 43% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Mekele?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 29% of their monthly income to savings, with 20% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1,700 ETB with 190 ETB and 11,000 ETB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9.5% to 28% of their monthly income, with 18% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 2,800 ETB with 930 ETB and 15,000 ETB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Mekele can save anywhere between 8.5% to 27% of their monthly income, with 15% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 3,700 ETB with 1,300 ETB and 24,000 ETB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Mekele

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Mekele. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Mekele

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Mekele

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Mekele?

Around 40% of surveyed residents think that living in Mekele is affordable with proper budgeting while 60% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Mekele

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options49%

Few low-cost options51%

Based on the survey, 49% of the people living in Mekele have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 51% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Mekele whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes37%

No63%

Based on the survey, 63% of the people living in Mekele said that they don't have an emergency fund while 37% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Ethiopia

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy37%

We asked residents of Ethiopia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 63% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 37% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Ethiopia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 63% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 37% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance63%

Easily manages finances37%

Financial goals of people in Mekele

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Mekele, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 45% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Mekele

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Mekele and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Ethiopia is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Mekele about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Mekele

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Mekele

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 32% of the people in Mekele have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 68% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Mekele

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 30% of the people's monthly income in Mekele goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Mekele pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Mekele

7% of debtors in Mekele confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Mekele.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Mekele

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Mekele how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Mekele

Rent Cost in Mekele

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

700 ETB

1,100 ETB

2,800 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$19

$50

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,100 ETB

1,700 ETB

4,200 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$19

$30

$74

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,400 ETB

2,100 ETB

5,600 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$25

$37

$99

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 ETB

2,800 ETB

7,700 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$30

$50

$140

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

3,400 ETB

8,400 ETB

17,000 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$60

$150

$300

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,800 ETB

4,200 ETB

12,000 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$50

$74

$210

House monthly rent cost

3,400 ETB

8,400 ETB

17,000 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$60

$150

$300

Villa monthly rent cost

4,200 ETB

11,000 ETB

17,000 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$74

$190

$300

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Mekele ranges between 700 ETB and 2,800 ETB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,100 ETB to 4,200 ETB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,400 ETB and 5,600 ETB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,700 ETB to 7,700 ETB. The average rent of a townhouse in Mekele is around 4,200 ETB while house rental costs can be as high as 8,400 ETB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 4,200 ETB to 17,000 ETB per month.

Apartment and house prices in Mekele

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

140,000 ETB

210,000 ETB

420,000 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,500

$3,700

$7,400

1-bedroom apartment price

170,000 ETB

280,000 ETB

1.1M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3,000

$5,000

$19,000

2-bedroom apartment price

280,000 ETB

840,000 ETB

1.7M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5,000

$15,000

$30,000

3-bedroom apartment price

940,000 ETB

1.4M ETB

4.2M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17,000

$25,000

$74,000

Townhouse price

1.2M ETB

2.8M ETB

11M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21,000

$50,000

$190,000

House price

1.4M ETB

8.4M ETB

12M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$25,000

$150,000

$210,000

Villa price

1.7M ETB

9.4M ETB

14M ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$30,000

$170,000

$250,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Mekele can range from 140,000 ETB to 420,000 ETB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 170,000 ETB to 1.1M ETB. A villa can cost you 9.4M ETB on average with prices ranging from 1.7M ETB to 14M ETB.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Mekele can be x80 to x180 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x80 multiples of the average monthly salary in Mekele.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Mekele is around 27%. This means that people pay 27% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 37% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Mekele

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Mekele

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

50 ETB

360 ETB

2,400 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.88

$6.3

$42

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

130 ETB

440 ETB

2,900 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.3

$7.8

$51

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

230 ETB

660 ETB

4,300 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.1

$12

$76

Internet and cable cost

47 ETB

93 ETB

120 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.82

$1.6

$2.2

Mobile phone bill and charges

37 ETB

62 ETB

190 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.66

$1.1

$3.3

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Mekele ranges between 50 ETB and 2,400 ETB with average being 360 ETB, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 440 ETB with 130 ETB and 2,900 ETB being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 660 ETB. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 47 ETB to 120 ETB with 93 ETB being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 62 ETB but can range between 37 ETB and 190 ETB depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Mekele is around 6.6%. This means that people pay 6.6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.8% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Mekele

Prices and cost of goods and services in Mekele

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

9.3 ETB

19 ETB

31 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.16

$0.33

$0.55

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Mekele is approximatly 19 ETB with meal cost ranging from 9.3 ETB to 31 ETB. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

30 ETB

44 ETB

89 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.52

$0.78

$1.6

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 30 ETB and 89 ETB with 44 ETB being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Mekele.

Fine dining meal for one price

59 ETB

89 ETB

360 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1

$1.6

$6.3

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 59 ETB to 360 ETB with the average cost being 89 ETB for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Mekele.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

7.8 ETB

12 ETB

19 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.14

$0.22

$0.33

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Mekele is around 12 ETB. Price ranges between 7.8 ETB and 19 ETB depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

6.2 ETB

7.5 ETB

9.3 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.11

$0.13

$0.16

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Mekele is 7.5 ETB. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 9.3 ETB and the minimum being 6.2 ETB depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

4.7 ETB

6.2 ETB

9.3 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.08

$0.11

$0.16

A dozen eggs costs around 6.2 ETB on average with 4.7 ETB and 9.3 ETB being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

11 ETB

14 ETB

19 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.19

$0.24

$0.34

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Mekele is between 11 ETB and 19 ETB depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 14 ETB.

Pack of beef price

12 ETB

19 ETB

37 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.22

$0.33

$0.66

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 19 ETB. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

5 ETB

6.9 ETB

9.7 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.09

$0.12

$0.17

A bag of rice in Mekele costs around 6.9 ETB on average with prices rangeing between 5 ETB and 9.7 ETB depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.9 ETB

2.5 ETB

4.7 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.03

$0.04

$0.08

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.9 ETB to 4.7 ETB. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

3.3 ETB

4.4 ETB

7.2 ETB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.06

$0.08

$0.13

A bag of apples costs 4.4 ETB on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Mekele is around 26%. This means that people spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 31% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 950 ETB per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 130 ETB and 6,300 ETB depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 1,400 ETB per month. That number can be get as low as 460 ETB or a high as 7,400 ETB. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 830 ETB to 15,000 ETB with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Mekele

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Mekele

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Mekele

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Mekele