Compare countries · Ethiopia vs Kenya
Ethiopia vs Kenya
Ethiopia(Africa)·
Kenya(Africa)
Across 11 comparable indicators: Ethiopia leads on 2, Kenya on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Ethiopia cheaper than Kenya?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Ethiopia at 41.8 and Kenya at 28.9. Kenya is about 31% cheaper overall.
Is Ethiopia or Kenya safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Ethiopia scores 2.65 and Kenya scores 2.45. Kenya ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Ethiopia or Kenya?
On the UN Human Development Index, Ethiopia scores 0.497 and Kenya scores 0.628. Kenya scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Ethiopia compared to Kenya?
GNI per capita runs $1,110 in Ethiopia against $2,200 in Kenya; people live 67.6 years on average against 63.8. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ethiopia
41.8
Around the global middle
Kenya
28.9
Better than 83% of countries
Kenya: 31% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ethiopia
18.3
Worse than 65% of countries
Kenya
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Kenya: 57% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ethiopia
2.65
Worse than 84% of countries
Kenya
2.45
Worse than 81% of countries
Kenya: more peaceful (2.45 vs 2.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ethiopia
49.6
Worse than 66% of countries
Kenya
44.9
Worse than 75% of countries
Ethiopia: higher perceived safety (49.6 vs 44.9).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ethiopia
0.497
Worse than 93% of countries
Kenya
0.628
Worse than 74% of countries
Kenya: higher human development (0.628 vs 0.497).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ethiopia
$3,622
Worse than 90% of countries
Kenya
$7,016
Worse than 77% of countries
Kenya: 94% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ethiopia
67.6 yrs
Worse than 77% of countries
Kenya
63.8 yrs
Worse than 91% of countries
Ethiopia: 3.8 years longer on average.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ethiopia
11 Mbps
Worse than 97% of countries
Kenya
16 Mbps
Worse than 97% of countries
Kenya: 39% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ethiopia
35/100
Worse than 82% of countries
Kenya
51/100
Worse than 59% of countries
Kenya: freer press (51 vs 35 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ethiopia
3.98
Worse than 92% of countries
Kenya
4.67
Worse than 74% of countries
Kenya: happier on the Cantril ladder (4.67 vs 3.98).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ethiopia
499
Worse than 57% of countries
Kenya
593
Better than 79% of countries
Kenya: stronger English proficiency (593 vs 499).
Not comparable for this pair
- Healthcare index: Numbeo doesn't publish a healthcare index for one of these countries.
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Ethiopia and Kenya for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Ethiopia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Kenya profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.