Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Busia Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Busia

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $729 in Kampala versus $76.8 in Busia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,103 in Kampala versus $129 in Busia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,478 in Kampala versus $182 in Busia.

Living in Kampala is roughly 849% more expensive than in Busia, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 47% lower, Busia 94% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.59 UGX 9,784

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.69 UGX 100.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.68 UGX 29.0K

Cappuccino

$2.63 UGX 9,927

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

$0.39 UGX 1,475

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 UGX 1,150

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 UGX 4,843

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 UGX 7,191

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 UGX 3,153

$0.31 UGX 1,165

167.74%

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 UGX 3,683

$1.32 UGX 4,978

-26.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,261

Eggs

$1.56 UGX 5,910

$1.63 UGX 6,146

-4.29%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.74 UGX 17.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.81 UGX 18.2K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.12 UGX 19.4K

$4.06 UGX 15.3K

26.11%

Apples (1kg)

$2.07 UGX 7,807

$2.71 UGX 10.2K

-23.62%

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 UGX 4,383

Oranges (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,234

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 UGX 4,707

$0.80 UGX 3,008

56.25%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 UGX 4,785

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,059

$1.62 UGX 6,125

-17.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.82 UGX 3,111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 UGX 1,969

$0.26 UGX 981

100.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.71 UGX 10.3K

$1.18 UGX 4,446

129.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.99 UGX 30.2K

$5.34 UGX 20.2K

49.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 UGX 3,960

$1.04 UGX 3,931

0.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 UGX 7,869

$1.37 UGX 5,170

51.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.78 UGX 2,932

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.89 UGX 173.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.55 UGX 2,071

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 UGX 1,208

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.21 UGX 12.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 UGX 5,299

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

$7,946 UGX 30.0M

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

$7,949 UGX 30.0M

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

$75.2 UGX 284.1K

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

$12.31 UGX 46.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.19 UGX 140.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$59.3 UGX 224.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.44 UGX 24.3K

Cinema Ticket

$8.02 UGX 30.3K

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

$256 UGX 965.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,498 UGX 32.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.07 UGX 56.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.60 UGX 51.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.02 UGX 128.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.25 UGX 174.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$517 UGX 2.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$182 UGX 687.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,142 UGX 4.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$327 UGX 1.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,207 UGX 4.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$987 UGX 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$188 UGX 709.3K

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 Kampala: August 30, 2026

Last update for Busia: August 30, 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

Kampala vs Busia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Busia wins on cost – living expenses run 849% lower than in Kampala. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Busia the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $1,093 in Kampala and $115 in Busia 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 99% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $729 per month in Kampala versus $76.8 in Busia – a 849% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Busia 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 Busia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 849% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.