Cost of Living Comparison Between Busia and Mbarara Cost of Living Comparison Between Busia and Mbarara

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $75.5 in Busia versus $521 in Mbarara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $126 in Busia versus $826 in Mbarara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $176 in Busia versus $1,131 in Mbarara.

Living in Busia costs roughly 86% less than in Mbarara, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Busia 95% lower, Mbarara 62% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.71 UGX 10.5K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.08 UGX 100.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.76 UGX 30.0K

Cappuccino

$2.60 UGX 10.1K

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 UGX 1,540

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 UGX 1,068

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.34 UGX 5,172

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 UGX 7,298

Milk (1 liter)

$0.33 UGX 1,275

$0.52 UGX 1,990

-36.54%

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 UGX 5,049

$0.95 UGX 3,684

37.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,169

Eggs

$1.56 UGX 6,009

$1.59 UGX 6,159

-1.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.84 UGX 18.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.90 UGX 18.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.05 UGX 15.7K

$3.75 UGX 14.5K

8.00%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 UGX 10.2K

$2.10 UGX 8,110

25.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 UGX 4,469

Oranges (1kg)

$1.40 UGX 5,392

Tomato (1kg)

$0.77 UGX 2,988

$1.28 UGX 4,957

-39.84%

Potato (1kg)

$1.25 UGX 4,826

Onion (1kg)

$1.55 UGX 5,982

$1.36 UGX 5,253

13.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78 UGX 3,011

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.27 UGX 1,045

$0.55 UGX 2,142

-50.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.18 UGX 4,554

$2.64 UGX 10.2K

-55.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.16 UGX 19.9K

$7.75 UGX 29.9K

-33.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 UGX 4,177

$1.08 UGX 4,155

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.31 UGX 5,043

$2.03 UGX 7,838

-35.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 UGX 2,980

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.52 UGX 1,991

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 UGX 1,224

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 UGX 12.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,652

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$7,861 UGX 30.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$7,888 UGX 30.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$73.9 UGX 285.5K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.57 UGX 48.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.93 UGX 146.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.17 UGX 77.9K

Cinema Ticket

$7.78 UGX 30.1K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$260 UGX 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,382 UGX 32.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.65 UGX 56.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.84 UGX 53.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.21 UGX 132.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.35 UGX 179.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$93.6 UGX 361.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$78.3 UGX 302.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$252 UGX 975.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$189 UGX 728.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.75

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Busia: September 7, 2026

Last update for Mbarara: September 6, 2026

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 Mbarara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Busia wins on cost – living expenses run 590% lower than in Mbarara. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Busia the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $113 in Busia and $781 in Mbarara 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 93% higher in Mbarara. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $75.5 per month in Busia versus $521 in Mbarara – a 590% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Busia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 590% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.