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 $123 per month in Gulu vs $406 in Fort Portal, rent included.

A couple spends around $182 per month in Gulu vs $635 in Fort Portal, rent included.

A family of three spends $242 per month in Gulu vs $864 in Fort Portal, rent included.

Gulu is about 70% cheaper than Fort Portal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Gulu and Fort Portal are more affordable than the global median – Gulu 91% lower, Fort Portal 70% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.36 UGX 5,349

$2.67 UGX 10.5K

-49.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.03 UGX 102.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.06 UGX 47.5K

$7.81 UGX 30.7K

54.42%

Cappuccino

$2.60 UGX 10.3K

$2.64 UGX 10.4K

-1.52%

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

$0.25 UGX 974

$0.39 UGX 1,538

-35.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.13 UGX 531

$0.28 UGX 1,098

-53.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 UGX 3,052

$1.33 UGX 5,251

-42.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.64 UGX 10.4K

$1.87 UGX 7,346

41.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.31 UGX 1,208

White Bread (500g)

$0.76 UGX 2,990

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.08 UGX 4,253

Eggs

$1.28 UGX 5,043

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.66 UGX 18.4K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.05 UGX 19.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.39 UGX 13.4K

Apples (1kg)

$2.16 UGX 8,520

Banana (1kg)

$0.76 UGX 2,998

Oranges (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,485

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 UGX 5,043

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 UGX 5,190

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 UGX 2,686

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.84 UGX 3,308

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 UGX 2,027

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.63 UGX 10.4K

Wine (Bottle)

$5.45 UGX 21.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 UGX 3,052

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 UGX 4,097

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.07 UGX 4,231

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.29 UGX 127.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.56 UGX 2,187

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.34 UGX 1,341

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.23 UGX 12.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 UGX 5,409

$1.35 UGX 5,325

1.48%

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

$7,827 UGX 30.8M

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

$8,091 UGX 31.9M

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

$75.9 UGX 298.9K

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

$12.40 UGX 48.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.36 UGX 147.1K

Cinema Ticket

$8.10 UGX 31.9K

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

$263 UGX 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,692 UGX 34.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.15 UGX 59.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.11 UGX 55.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.19 UGX 134.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.35 UGX 182.5K

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 Gulu: September 14, 2026

Last update for Fort Portal: September 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 230% 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 $185 per month in Gulu and $609 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 $123 in Gulu and $406 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.