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: $129 in Gulu versus $531 in Mbarara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $192 in Gulu versus $867 in Mbarara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $254 in Gulu versus $1,202 in Mbarara.

Living in Gulu costs roughly 76% 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

$1.36 UGX 5,041

$2.83 UGX 10.5K

-51.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.19 UGX 97.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.60 UGX 46.7K

$8.65 UGX 32.1K

45.66%

Cappuccino

$2.85 UGX 10.6K

$2.82 UGX 10.5K

1.06%

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

$0.29 UGX 1,076

$0.48 UGX 1,773

-39.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.14 UGX 523

$0.29 UGX 1,075

-51.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.80 UGX 2,962

$1.40 UGX 5,198

-42.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.71 UGX 10.1K

$2.81 UGX 10.4K

-3.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.53 UGX 1,981

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 UGX 4,461

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 4,964

Eggs

$1.77 UGX 6,560

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.26 UGX 15.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.96 UGX 18.4K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.94 UGX 14.6K

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 UGX 9,967

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,723

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 UGX 6,397

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,726

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,083

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,091

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,967

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 UGX 2,025

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.93 UGX 10.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$9.22 UGX 34.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 UGX 4,444

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 UGX 7,651

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.13 UGX 4,180

$0.84 UGX 3,129

34.52%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.93 UGX 122.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.54 UGX 1,992

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 959

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.13 UGX 15.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 UGX 5,056

$1.45 UGX 5,362

-6.21%

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

$9,122 UGX 33.8M

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

$8,717 UGX 32.3M

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

$42.29 UGX 156.8K

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

$14.37 UGX 53.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.51 UGX 161.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.49 UGX 76.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.17 UGX 22.9K

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

$162 UGX 601.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,304 UGX 16.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.28 UGX 64.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.02 UGX 52.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.08 UGX 144.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.50 UGX 172.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$95.5 UGX 354.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.9 UGX 311.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 UGX 986.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 UGX 711.7K

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: April 26, 2026

Last update for Mbarara: April 26, 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 312% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $194 in Gulu and $797 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 312% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.