Addis Ababa vs Bali (Canggu)

Cost of living comparison for expats and families · 2026

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

$1,420/mo solo

Rent 1BR$900
Safety50/100
Cap. gains15.0%
Avg temp17°C

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Bali (Canggu)

$1,222/mo solo

Rent 1BR$900
Safety73/100
Cap. gains20.0%
Avg temp27°C

How we calculate tax rates: Estimated effective rates assume a $200K/yr retiree drawdown, single filer, all long-term capital gains. US figures include federal LTCG + NIIT + state tax (so Boston shows MA, Miami shows FL, etc.). Your real rate depends on income mix and filing status — run the tax calculator for your numbers.

Addis Ababa

vs

Bali (Canggu)

Cost of Living

$900

Housing (1BR)

$900

$200/mo

Food

$223/mo

$120/mo

Utilities

$42/mo

$50/mo

Transport

$12/mo

$150/mo

Healthcare

$45/mo

$1,420/mo

Total

$1,222/mo

Taxes (International Investors)

effective at $200K/yr · single

15.0%

Capital Gains

20.0%

10.0%

Dividends

10.0%

15.0%

Crypto

20.0%

None

Wealth Tax

None

Quality of Life

50/100

Safety

73/100

15 Mbps

Internet

75 Mbps

Visa

30 days

Tourist Visa

30 days

No

DN Visa

Yes

🧭

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Cost of Living

Bali (Canggu) is the more affordable option at $1,222/month for a single person, compared to $1,420/month in Addis Ababa — a savings of $198/month, or roughly 14%. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Addis Ababa averages $900/month vs $900/month in Bali (Canggu). For couples needing a 2-bedroom, expect $1,500 in Addis Ababa and $1,600 in Bali (Canggu). Families with kids typically see costs scale by 2–2.5× vs single-person baseline.

Tax for Investors

Ethiopia's tax system is worldwide (all income taxed regardless of source). At a $200K/yr retiree drawdown, Ethiopia works out to roughly 15.0% effective on long-term gains. Indonesia is worldwide (all income taxed regardless of source); Indonesia comes in at 20.0%. Indonesia offers the 5-10 year residency for investors (10 years). For FIRE retirees living off portfolio income, territorial systems typically produce the cleanest outcome — see our territorial tax countries guide for the full list.

Climate & Lifestyle

Addis Ababa has a mild temperate (avg 17°C) climate; Bali (Canggu) is tropical (avg 27°C year-round). Bali (Canggu) is meaningfully warmer year-round (10°C difference on annual average). Bali (Canggu) scores higher on safety (73/100) vs 50/100 for the other city. Bali (Canggu) has faster internet at 75 Mbps vs 15 Mbps. Addis Ababa has a medium established expat community.

Visa & Residency

For Addis Ababa: investor visa available. For Bali (Canggu): digital-nomad visa available; investor visa available. Full visa pathways, income thresholds, and residency timelines are covered in the Retire in Ethiopia and Retire in Indonesia guides.

FIRE Number

At the standard 4% safe withdrawal rate, the portfolio needed to retire in Addis Ababa is $426,000; Bali (Canggu) needs $366,600. Geographic arbitrage is the single biggest lever in FIRE planning — relocating between these two cities changes your required portfolio by $59,400. Run your own scenarios in the "What your portfolio buys" section below.

What your portfolio buys in each city

At the 4% safe withdrawal rate, see exactly what Addis Ababa vs Bali (Canggu) costs at common FIRE milestones. Real math, honest verdicts — no marketing spin.

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