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: $431 in Iganga versus $129 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $705 in Iganga versus $192 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $980 in Iganga versus $254 in Gulu.

Living in Iganga is roughly 234% 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

$2.71 UGX 10.0K

$1.36 UGX 5,028

99.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.14 UGX 96.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.47 UGX 31.3K

$12.60 UGX 46.6K

-32.78%

Cappuccino

$2.86 UGX 10.6K

$2.85 UGX 10.5K

0.35%

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

$0.47 UGX 1,754

$0.29 UGX 1,073

62.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 UGX 1,054

$0.14 UGX 522

107.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.40 UGX 5,188

$0.80 UGX 2,954

75.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 UGX 10.6K

$2.71 UGX 10.0K

5.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.70 UGX 2,582

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 UGX 4,422

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 UGX 5,161

Eggs

$1.77 UGX 6,552

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.28 UGX 15.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.02 UGX 18.6K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.34 UGX 16.1K

Apples (1kg)

$2.70 UGX 9,980

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 UGX 5,452

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 UGX 6,441

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 UGX 5,868

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,069

Onion (1kg)

$1.90 UGX 7,036

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,951

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 UGX 2,117

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.84 UGX 10.5K

Wine (Bottle)

$9.56 UGX 35.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 UGX 4,598

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 UGX 7,959

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.13 UGX 4,169

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.93 UGX 121.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,132

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 961

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.27 UGX 15.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 UGX 5,505

$1.36 UGX 5,042

9.56%

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

$8,958 UGX 33.1M

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

$8,660 UGX 32.0M

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

$41.44 UGX 153.2K

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

$14.22 UGX 52.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.58 UGX 164.9K

Cinema Ticket

$6.20 UGX 22.9K

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

$164 UGX 607.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,352 UGX 16.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.97 UGX 62.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.53 UGX 53.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.09 UGX 140.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.66 UGX 172.5K

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 Iganga: April 27, 2026

Last update for Gulu: 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

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 234% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $647 in Iganga and $194 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 234% less than in Iganga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.