Cost of Living Comparison Between Gulu and Fort Portal Cost of Living Comparison Between Gulu and Fort Portal

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $132 per month in Gulu vs $399 in Fort Portal, rent included.

A couple spends around $193 per month in Gulu vs $655 in Fort Portal, rent included.

A family of three spends $255 per month in Gulu vs $911 in Fort Portal, rent included.

Gulu is about 67% cheaper than Fort Portal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Gulu and Fort Portal are more affordable than the global median – Gulu 90% lower, Fort Portal 70% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.36 UGX 5,019

$2.80 UGX 10.4K

-51.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.45 UGX 97.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.58 UGX 46.5K

$8.81 UGX 32.6K

42.79%

Cappuccino

$2.85 UGX 10.5K

$2.81 UGX 10.4K

1.42%

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

$0.27 UGX 990

$0.51 UGX 1,893

-47.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.13 UGX 472

$0.31 UGX 1,162

-58.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.87 UGX 3,216

$1.42 UGX 5,248

-38.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 UGX 10.6K

$2.80 UGX 10.4K

2.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.32 UGX 1,181

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 UGX 3,208

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.10 UGX 4,064

Eggs

$1.36 UGX 5,027

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.33 UGX 16.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.03 UGX 18.6K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.57 UGX 13.2K

Apples (1kg)

$2.81 UGX 10.4K

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 UGX 3,139

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 UGX 6,241

Tomato (1kg)

$1.40 UGX 5,185

Potato (1kg)

$1.58 UGX 5,856

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 UGX 2,480

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 UGX 3,900

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 UGX 2,111

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.00 UGX 11.1K

Wine (Bottle)

$5.36 UGX 19.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 UGX 3,141

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 UGX 4,057

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 UGX 3,985

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.05 UGX 122.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,143

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 952

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.10 UGX 15.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 UGX 5,079

$1.42 UGX 5,258

-3.52%

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

$9,203 UGX 34.0M

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

$8,770 UGX 32.4M

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

$41.59 UGX 153.8K

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

$14.20 UGX 52.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.14 UGX 163.3K

Cinema Ticket

$6.36 UGX 23.5K

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

$163 UGX 604.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,359 UGX 16.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.85 UGX 62.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.33 UGX 53.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.13 UGX 144.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.79 UGX 176.8K

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 Gulu: July 11, 2026

Last update for Fort Portal: July 14, 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

Gulu vs Fort Portal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Portal costs about 203% more than Gulu, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $198 per month in Gulu and $599 in Fort Portal. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $132 in Gulu and $399 in Fort Portal, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Gulu – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Gulu. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fort Portal makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.