Cost of Living Comparison Between Iganga and Gulu Cost of Living Comparison Between Iganga and Gulu

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $430 in Iganga versus $131 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $702 in Iganga versus $191 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $974 in Iganga versus $252 in Gulu.

Living in Iganga is roughly 229% more expensive than Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Iganga 68% lower, Gulu 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.76 UGX 10.3K

$1.41 UGX 5,291

95.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.21 UGX 98.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.60 UGX 32.2K

$12.38 UGX 46.4K

-30.53%

Cappuccino

$2.72 UGX 10.2K

$2.81 UGX 10.5K

-3.20%

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

$0.47 UGX 1,764

$0.29 UGX 1,094

62.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 UGX 1,086

$0.15 UGX 571

93.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 5,142

$0.87 UGX 3,259

57.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 UGX 10.3K

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

-2.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,644

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,697

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 UGX 4,988

Eggs

$1.77 UGX 6,648

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.38 UGX 16.4K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.97 UGX 18.6K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.18 UGX 15.7K

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 UGX 10.4K

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,769

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 UGX 6,413

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,681

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 UGX 6,103

Onion (1kg)

$1.87 UGX 7,002

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 UGX 3,967

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 UGX 2,196

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.87 UGX 10.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.48 UGX 31.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 UGX 4,495

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 UGX 8,046

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 UGX 4,077

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.95 UGX 123.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 UGX 2,148

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 962

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.12 UGX 15.4K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 UGX 5,602

$1.41 UGX 5,297

5.67%

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

$9,177 UGX 34.4M

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

$8,622 UGX 32.3M

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

$42.75 UGX 160.2K

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

$14.65 UGX 54.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.77 UGX 164.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.28 UGX 23.5K

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

$162 UGX 607.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,258 UGX 16.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.93 UGX 63.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.51 UGX 54.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.28 UGX 143.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.49 UGX 178.0K

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 Iganga: June 7, 2026

Last update for Gulu: June 7, 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

Iganga vs Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 229% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $645 in Iganga and $196 in Gulu 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.

Safety-wise, Iganga and Gulu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 229% less than in Iganga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.