Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Gulu and Mpigi

For one person, living is cheaper in Gulu: $114 a month against $403 in Mpigi, rent and utilities included – about $3,500 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Gulu, Uganda
Mpigi, Uganda
Gulu
🇺🇬 Uganda
$114
/mo nomad
Mpigi
🇺🇬 Uganda
$403
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Gulu and in Mpigi

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Gulu and in Mpigi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $114 in Gulu versus $403 in Mpigi.

  • Gulu $114
  • Mpigi $403

Estimated couple costs with rent: $167 in Gulu versus $635 in Mpigi.

  • Gulu $167
  • Mpigi $635

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $219 in Gulu versus $867 in Mpigi.

  • Gulu $219
  • Mpigi $867

Living in Gulu costs roughly 72% less than in Mpigi.

Both cities sit below the global median: Gulu 92% lower, Mpigi 70% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.22 UGX 5,362
$2.45 UGX 10.7K
-50.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$24.04 UGX 105.3K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.93 UGX 47.9K
$7.10 UGX 31.1K
53.94%
Cappuccino
$2.43 UGX 10.6K
$2.53 UGX 11.1K
-3.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 UGX 1,098
$0.35 UGX 1,515
-28.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.10 UGX 447
$0.27 UGX 1,191
-62.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.74 UGX 3,227
$1.22 UGX 5,364
-39.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 UGX 10.9K
$1.82 UGX 7,978
36.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$0.77 UGX 3,361
-
White Bread (500g)
-
$0.92 UGX 4,048
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.28 UGX 5,598
-
Eggs
-
$1.53 UGX 6,692
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$4.31 UGX 18.9K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$4.33 UGX 19.0K
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$4.75 UGX 20.8K
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.07 UGX 9,071
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.25 UGX 5,486
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.25 UGX 5,476
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.13 UGX 4,958
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.24 UGX 5,412
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.18 UGX 5,161
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.77 UGX 3,391
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.48 UGX 2,087
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.43 UGX 10.6K
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$7.25 UGX 31.7K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.08 UGX 4,711
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.89 UGX 8,281
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 UGX 4,067
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.56 UGX 125.1K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.47 UGX 2,045
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.31 UGX 1,365
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.09 UGX 13.5K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 UGX 5,190
$1.39 UGX 6,090
-14.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$7,087 UGX 31.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$7,321 UGX 32.1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$68.4 UGX 299.8K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$11.34 UGX 49.7K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$34.15 UGX 149.6K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Cinema Ticket
-
$7.09 UGX 31.1K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$245 UGX 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$8,034 UGX 35.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$13.30 UGX 58.3K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$12.83 UGX 56.2K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$31.10 UGX 136.2K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$42.58 UGX 186.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gulu
Mpigi
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
20.75
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Gulu: October 26, 2026

Last update for Mpigi: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$144
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$114
Eating Out
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$83
Clothing & Footwear
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$45
Sport & Entertainment
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$14 *
Getting Around
Gulu
–
Mpigi
$2 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Good to know
🇺🇬 Gulu
🇺🇬 Mpigi
🕒 Local time
09:14 9:14 AM
09:14 9:14 AM
Same time as Gulu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
152,276
49,500
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to UGX – Ugandan Shilling Converter

Ugandan Shilling exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 4,380 UGX (10,000 UGX = 2.28 USD). 1 EUR = 4,876 UGX (10,000 UGX = 2.05 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Gulu Mpigi 280 km
From you
  • Gulu
  • Mpigi

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Mpigi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Gulu and in Mpigi?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $114 in Gulu and $403 in Mpigi, so Gulu is about 72% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What income do you need for each city?
You’d need roughly $171 in Gulu and $604 in Mpigi 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.
Is $1,000 enough for either Gulu or Mpigi?
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.

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