Cost Of Living For a Single Person in Mekele 2024

Single person cost of living chart - individual average monthly expenditure in Mekele

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: ETB
830 5,900 40,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $100 $700

Average monthly spending for a single person or individual in Mekele

How much money does an individual need in a month to survive in Mekele?

A single person in Mekele spends around 5,900 ETB per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a single individual can survive with a monthly budget as low as 830 ETB or as high as 40,000 ETB. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Mekele


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Mekele

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

9.3 ETB 19 ETB 31 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.16 $0.33 $0.55

Restaurant meal for one

30 ETB 44 ETB 89 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.52 $0.78 $1.6

Fine dining meal for one

59 ETB 89 ETB 360 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.6 $6.3

Cappuccino or latte

7.8 ETB 12 ETB 19 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.14 $0.22 $0.33

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

6.2 ETB 7.5 ETB 9.3 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.11 $0.13 $0.16

12 eggs

4.7 ETB 6.2 ETB 9.3 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.08 $0.11 $0.16

Fresh whole chicken

11 ETB 14 ETB 19 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.19 $0.24 $0.34

Pack of beef

12 ETB 19 ETB 37 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.22 $0.33 $0.66

Medium bag of rice

5 ETB 6.9 ETB 9.7 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.09 $0.12 $0.17

Bag of tomatos

1.9 ETB 2.5 ETB 4.7 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.03 $0.04 $0.08

Bag of apples

3.3 ETB 4.4 ETB 7.2 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.06 $0.08 $0.13
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Mekele


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

7.4 ETB 8.9 ETB 18 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.13 $0.16 $0.31

Average car full tank

47 ETB 62 ETB 120 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.82 $1.1 $2.2

Average car 1-day rental

42 ETB 56 ETB 84 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.74 $0.99 $1.5

Average car price

23,000 ETB 47,000 ETB 62,000 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $820 $1,100

Bus ticket one way

1.4 ETB 2.1 ETB 4.2 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.02 $0.04 $0.07

Car Service

56 ETB 84 ETB 170 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.99 $1.5 $3
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Mekele


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual

50 ETB 360 ETB 2,400 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $6.3 $42

Internet and cable

47 ETB 93 ETB 120 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.82 $1.6 $2.2

Mobile phone charges

37 ETB 62 ETB 190 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.66 $1.1 $3.3

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

23 ETB 31 ETB 47 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.41 $0.55 $0.82

One month gym membership

68 ETB 84 ETB 170 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.5 $3
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Mekele


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

50 ETB 70 ETB 110 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $1.2 $1.9

Woman dress

47 ETB 65 ETB 210 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.83 $1.1 $3.7

Woman shoes

44 ETB 60 ETB 140 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.78 $1.1 $2.5

Men's shoes

38 ETB 47 ETB 94 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.68 $0.83 $1.7

Men suit

42 ETB 53 ETB 280 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.74 $0.93 $5

Regular t-shirt

21 ETB 28 ETB 84 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.37 $0.50 $1.5
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Mekele


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

700 ETB 1,100 ETB 2,800 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $19 $50

1-bedroom apartment

1,100 ETB 1,700 ETB 4,200 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $30 $74

2-bedroom apartment

1,400 ETB 2,100 ETB 5,600 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25 $37 $99

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

140,000 ETB 210,000 ETB 420,000 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,500 $3,700 $7,400

1-bedroom apartment

170,000 ETB 280,000 ETB 1.1M ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,000 $5,000 $19,000

2-bedroom apartment

280,000 ETB 840,000 ETB 1.7M ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5,000 $15,000 $30,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Mekele


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

930 ETB 1,200 ETB 1,600 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $21 $27

Double Bed

620 ETB 930 ETB 1,200 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $16 $21

Single Bed

550 ETB 720 ETB 930 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.7 $13 $16

Living Room

1,000 ETB 1,300 ETB 4,700 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $24 $82

Dining Table

470 ETB 620 ETB 1,200 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.2 $11 $21

Sofa or Couch

620 ETB 850 ETB 1,900 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $15 $33
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Mekele


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

620 ETB 930 ETB 1,900 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $16 $33

Fridge or Freezer

550 ETB 850 ETB 1,200 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.7 $15 $21

Washing Machine

720 ETB 1,000 ETB 1,900 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$13 $18 $33

Stove or Cooker

670 ETB 850 ETB 1,200 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $15 $21

Mobile Phone

780 ETB 930 ETB 1,300 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $16 $24

Laptop or Computer

850 ETB 1,000 ETB 1,900 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $18 $33
Single person or Individual cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Mekele

Single person expenditure to income ratio in Mekele

Analysing the how affordable it is for an individual to live 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. Individuals usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a single individual ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

74%

68% to 82%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Individuals in Mekele spend around 74% of their monthly income. Some individuals spend as low as 68% of their income while some as high as 82%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a single person in Mekele

How do individuals spend their money in Mekele?

We asked thousands of individuals about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for individuals

Accomodation Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (17% to 41%)

LOW$5.3   300 ETB
AVERAGE$38   2,100 ETB
HIGH$250   14,000 ETB
Per Month

Individuals in Mekele typically spend from 17% to 41% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 29% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,100 ETB with expenditure ranging from 300 ETB to 14,000 ETB. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for individuals

Cost of utilities9%

9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)

LOW$0.88   50 ETB
AVERAGE$6.3   360 ETB
HIGH$42   2,400 ETB
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mekele ranges from 5% to 14% of total expenses with 9% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly cost of utilities is 360 ETB with 50 ETB and 2,400 ETB being the upper and lower limits for a single person.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for individuals

Cost of transport and fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 10%)

LOW$1.2   66 ETB
AVERAGE$8.4   470 ETB
HIGH$56   3,200 ETB
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a single person resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a single person would expect to spend from 66 ETB to 3,200 ETB in a month on commuting with 470 ETB being the norm for most individuals. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 2% or as high as 10%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for individuals

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)

LOW$2.3   130 ETB
AVERAGE$17   950 ETB
HIGH$110   6,300 ETB
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical person in a month in Mekele is 950 ETB. The cost of groceries can range between 130 ETB to 6,300 ETB. Individuals spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 25% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for individuals

Cost of healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$1.3   75 ETB
AVERAGE$9.4   530 ETB
HIGH$63   3,600 ETB
Per Month

Individuals in Mekele allocate 7% to 17% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 13%. The range of medical expenses range from 75 ETB to 3,600 ETB with 530 ETB being the norm for most individuals.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for individuals

Cost of leisure and shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)

LOW$0.73   41 ETB
AVERAGE$5.2   300 ETB
HIGH$35   2,000 ETB
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 41 ETB to 2,000 ETB with 300 ETB being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 5% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most individuals.

Education and schooling expenditure for individuals

Cost of education and schooling1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW$0.29   17 ETB
AVERAGE$2.1   120 ETB
HIGH$14   790 ETB
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different individuals. On average, education constitutes 1% of the monthly expenditure of individuals with 0.00% and 3% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 120 ETB per month with 17 ETB being the minimum spent amount and 790 ETB being the maximum.

Other Expenses22%

22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW$2.6   150 ETB
AVERAGE$19   1,100 ETB
HIGH$130   7,100 ETB
Per Month
Percentage of individuals who manage to save money from their income every month in Mekele

What percentage of individuals in Mekele are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of individuals that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
52%
Not Saving
48%

Almost 52% of surveyed individuals in Mekele said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 48% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


A single person savings to income ratio in Mekele

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do individuals manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 20% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

190 ETB
$3.3
1,700 ETB
$29
11,000 ETB
$200
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for individuals

Saving To Income Ratio% Individuals
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%26%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Individuals that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 29% of their monthly income to their savings, with 20% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly amount of money that individuals can put aside is 1,700 ETB with 190 ETB and 11,000 ETB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money in Mekele

Saving Challenges in Mekele

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals 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.


Reason% People
Low Income4%
High Expenses7%
Debt and Loans12%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending12%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later22%
Inflation14%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 4% of the individuals 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% of individuals 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.

Where do individuals choose to put their savings in Mekele

Typical saving choices for individuals in Mekele

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds13%
Gold14%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts9%
Cash Savings22%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds4%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

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

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for individuals to live in Mekele

Affordable living in Mekele

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked individuals one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Mekele?


Yes
40%
No
60%

Around 40% of surveyed individuals 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.

How easily is cost-cutting for individuals. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Mekele

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 individuals 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 individuals 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 For Individuals

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 individuals of Mekele whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes37%

No63%


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

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for individuals in Mekele

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 individuals in Mekele 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 single people 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 and targets of single people living in Mekele

Financial goals of individuals 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.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund9%
Debt Reduction45%
Retirement Savings11%
Education Funding6%
Homeownership19%
Investing6%
Travel or Lifestyle6%
Healthcare Expenses15%
Financial Independence4%

Around 9% of individuals 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.

Chart showing the percentage of individuals who are in debt in Mekele

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Mekele


Percentage of individuals who are in debt


In Debt
32%
Debt Free
68%

According to the survey, 32% of the individuals 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.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Mekele

Debt-to-income ratio in Mekele

Debt to income ratio

30%

23% to 39%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

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 a single person's monthly income in Mekele goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%20%
40% - 50%15%
30% - 40%17%
20% - 30%9%
10% - 20%10%
0% - 10%25%

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

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage7%
Auto Loan13%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card31%
Personal Loan45%

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.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

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 individuals 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.

Frequency% People
Never49%
Once a year24%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Mekele

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Mekele

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


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.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Mekele will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


29 x80 monthly income 180
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


18% 27% of income 37%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

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.

Housing Affordability Index
25%

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.


FROM
2%
AVERAGE
3%
TO
4.1%

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.


13 ETB 170 ETB 1,700 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / A single person

50 ETB 360 ETB 2,400 ETB
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $6.3 $42

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

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of individuals is around 360 ETB. The cost of internet and WiFi 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


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


3.8% 6.6% of income 10%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


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


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Mekele is around 26%. This means that individuals 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 individuals

Individuals' spending on grocery ranges from 130 ETB to 6,300 ETB with the location, income being the most determinite factors.

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