Afgoye
🇸🇴 Somalia
Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Busia, Uganda and Gulu
For one person, living is cheaper in Busia: $69.4 a month against $114 in Gulu, rent and utilities included – about $540 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
Monthly Cost of Living
How much you'll spend in Busia and in Gulu
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Busia and in Gulu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $69 in Busia versus $114 in Gulu.
- Busia $69
- Gulu $114
Estimated couple costs with rent: $114 in Busia versus $167 in Gulu.
- Busia $114
- Gulu $167
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $159 in Busia versus $219 in Gulu.
- Busia $159
- Gulu $219
Living in Busia costs roughly 39% less than in Gulu.
Both cities sit below the global median: Busia 95% lower, Gulu 92% lower.
🍽 Eating Out
Busia
Gulu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.22 UGX 5,319
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.93 UGX 47.5K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.43 UGX 10.6K
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.25 UGX 1,089
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.10 UGX 444
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.74 UGX 3,201
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.48 UGX 10.8K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Busia
Gulu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.30 UGX 1,319
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 UGX 5,342
-
-
Eggs
$1.43 UGX 6,192
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.56 UGX 15.5K
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.34 UGX 10.2K
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$0.69 UGX 2,978
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.41 UGX 6,120
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 UGX 993
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.11 UGX 4,829
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$4.93 UGX 21.4K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.95 UGX 4,115
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 UGX 5,107
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Busia
Gulu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.93 UGX 4,034
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$28.56 UGX 124.1K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.19 UGX 5,149
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Busia: October 25, 2026
Last update for Gulu: October 26, 2026
Good to know
🇺🇬 Busia
🇺🇬 Gulu
Weather
Population
64,900
152,276
Exchange rates and currency converter
On the map
Lowest
Highest
Between locations
- Busia Gulu 320 km
From you
- Busia
- Gulu
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Busia vs Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Busia and in Gulu?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $69 in Busia and $114 in Gulu, so Busia is about 39% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Busia and in Gulu?
You’d need roughly $104 in Busia and $171 in Gulu to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Can you live on $800/month in Busia or in Gulu?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Busia gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Busia vs other spots: cost of living compared
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