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: $79.6 in Busia versus $540 in Mbarara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $133 in Busia versus $874 in Mbarara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $185 in Busia versus $1,208 in Mbarara.

Living in Busia costs roughly 85% less than in Mbarara, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Busia 94% lower, Mbarara 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.70 UGX 9,993

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.47 UGX 97.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.42 UGX 31.2K

Cappuccino

$2.82 UGX 10.4K

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

$0.47 UGX 1,751

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,160

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.43 UGX 5,286

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 UGX 10.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.32 UGX 1,180

$0.54 UGX 2,000

-40.74%

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 UGX 5,285

$1.22 UGX 4,495

17.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 UGX 5,088

Eggs

$1.64 UGX 6,073

$1.84 UGX 6,792

-10.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.19 UGX 15.5K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.01 UGX 18.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.06 UGX 15.0K

$3.85 UGX 14.2K

5.45%

Apples (1kg)

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

$2.78 UGX 10.3K

-1.44%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,638

Oranges (1kg)

$1.75 UGX 6,465

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 UGX 3,174

$1.55 UGX 5,729

-44.52%

Potato (1kg)

$1.59 UGX 5,883

Onion (1kg)

$1.69 UGX 6,239

$1.92 UGX 7,096

-11.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 UGX 3,732

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.27 UGX 996

$0.58 UGX 2,160

-53.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.26 UGX 4,673

$2.98 UGX 11.0K

-57.72%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.53 UGX 20.5K

$8.60 UGX 31.8K

-35.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 UGX 3,994

$1.18 UGX 4,377

-8.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 UGX 5,053

$2.04 UGX 7,545

-32.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 UGX 3,201

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 UGX 2,122

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,038

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.22 UGX 15.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,388

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

$9,083 UGX 33.6M

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

$8,679 UGX 32.1M

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

$41.67 UGX 154.1K

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

$14.62 UGX 54.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.35 UGX 164.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.92 UGX 77.4K

Cinema Ticket

$6.33 UGX 23.4K

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

$159 UGX 586.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,244 UGX 15.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.09 UGX 63.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.38 UGX 53.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.10 UGX 140.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.31 UGX 175.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$97.4 UGX 360.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.6 UGX 309.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$261 UGX 964.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 UGX 710.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.8

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

Last update for Busia: July 12, 2026

Last update for Mbarara: July 13, 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 579% 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 $119 in Busia and $810 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 105% higher in Mbarara. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $79.6 per month in Busia versus $540 in Mbarara – a 579% 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 579% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.