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: $123 in Gulu versus $535 in Mbarara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $182 in Gulu versus $842 in Mbarara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $242 in Gulu versus $1,150 in Mbarara.

Living in Gulu costs roughly 77% less than in Mbarara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Gulu 91% lower, Mbarara 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.36 UGX 5,349

$2.69 UGX 10.6K

-49.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.04 UGX 102.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.06 UGX 47.5K

$7.45 UGX 29.4K

61.88%

Cappuccino

$2.60 UGX 10.3K

$2.59 UGX 10.2K

0.39%

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

$0.25 UGX 974

$0.42 UGX 1,672

-40.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.13 UGX 531

$0.28 UGX 1,096

-53.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 UGX 3,052

$1.34 UGX 5,279

-42.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.64 UGX 10.4K

$1.82 UGX 7,163

45.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.52 UGX 2,043

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 UGX 4,026

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.36 UGX 5,339

Eggs

$1.51 UGX 5,949

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.60 UGX 18.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.93 UGX 19.4K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.61 UGX 14.2K

Apples (1kg)

$2.10 UGX 8,283

Banana (1kg)

$1.20 UGX 4,728

Oranges (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,263

Tomato (1kg)

$1.31 UGX 5,149

Potato (1kg)

$1.26 UGX 4,955

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 UGX 5,255

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.84 UGX 3,322

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 UGX 2,227

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.69 UGX 10.6K

Wine (Bottle)

$7.96 UGX 31.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 UGX 4,276

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 UGX 8,075

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.07 UGX 4,231

$0.75 UGX 2,956

42.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.29 UGX 127.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.54 UGX 2,145

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 UGX 1,248

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.24 UGX 12.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 UGX 5,409

$1.45 UGX 5,717

-5.52%

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

$7,800 UGX 30.7M

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

$7,863 UGX 31.0M

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

$73.9 UGX 291.0K

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

$12.64 UGX 49.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.13 UGX 146.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.87 UGX 78.3K

Cinema Ticket

$7.96 UGX 31.4K

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

$265 UGX 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,498 UGX 33.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.60 UGX 57.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.85 UGX 54.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.24 UGX 134.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.21 UGX 182.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$90.9 UGX 358.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$78.2 UGX 308.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$251 UGX 989.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$187 UGX 737.6K

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 Mbarara: 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 Mbarara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 334% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $185 in Gulu and $802 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 334% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.