Cost of Living Comparison Between Gulu and Mbarara Cost of Living Comparison Between Gulu and Mbarara

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $132 in Gulu versus $537 in Mbarara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $190 in Gulu versus $865 in Mbarara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $248 in Gulu versus $1,193 in Mbarara.

Living in Gulu costs roughly 75% less than in Mbarara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Gulu 90% lower, Mbarara 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.38 UGX 5,166

$2.71 UGX 10.1K

-49.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.39 UGX 98.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.61 UGX 47.2K

$8.42 UGX 31.5K

49.76%

Cappuccino

$2.71 UGX 10.2K

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

$0.27 UGX 1,001

$0.48 UGX 1,790

-43.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.13 UGX 502

$0.29 UGX 1,077

-55.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.80 UGX 2,985

$1.37 UGX 5,129

-41.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 UGX 10.6K

$2.86 UGX 10.7K

-0.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.57 UGX 2,145

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,669

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,005

Eggs

$1.79 UGX 6,698

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.28 UGX 16.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.99 UGX 18.7K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.85 UGX 14.4K

Apples (1kg)

$2.70 UGX 10.1K

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,700

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 UGX 6,488

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 UGX 5,986

Potato (1kg)

$1.59 UGX 5,959

Onion (1kg)

$1.86 UGX 6,979

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 UGX 3,950

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 UGX 2,152

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.88 UGX 10.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.18 UGX 30.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 UGX 4,463

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 UGX 7,742

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 UGX 4,062

$0.87 UGX 3,255

24.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.07 UGX 123.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,185

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,054

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 UGX 5,367

$1.46 UGX 5,448

-2.05%

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

$8,904 UGX 33.3M

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

$8,779 UGX 32.9M

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

$41.35 UGX 154.8K

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

$14.46 UGX 54.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.05 UGX 161.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.96 UGX 78.5K

Cinema Ticket

$6.45 UGX 24.1K

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

$159 UGX 593.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,380 UGX 16.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.91 UGX 63.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.39 UGX 53.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.89 UGX 141.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.98 UGX 175.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$98.5 UGX 368.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.7 UGX 313.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 UGX 988.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$194 UGX 725.5K

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 28, 2026

Last update for Mbarara: July 27, 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 Mbarara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 306% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $198 in Gulu and $805 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.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Gulu 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 Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 306% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.