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: $747 in Kampala versus $81.4 in Busia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,128 in Kampala versus $134 in Busia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,508 in Kampala versus $186 in Busia.

Living in Kampala is roughly 818% more expensive than Busia, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 44% lower, Busia 94% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.26 UGX 98.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.39 UGX 31.5K

Cappuccino

$2.87 UGX 10.8K

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

$0.51 UGX 1,914

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,178

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 5,142

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 UGX 10.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.74 UGX 2,797

$0.35 UGX 1,298

111.43%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,690

$1.36 UGX 5,124

-8.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,045

Eggs

$1.82 UGX 6,849

$1.68 UGX 6,329

8.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.92 UGX 18.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.15 UGX 15.6K

$4.22 UGX 15.9K

-1.66%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.3K

$2.83 UGX 10.6K

-3.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 UGX 5,496

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 UGX 6,219

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 UGX 5,746

$0.86 UGX 3,238

77.91%

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 UGX 6,121

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,172

$1.65 UGX 6,201

15.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 UGX 3,841

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 UGX 2,013

$0.27 UGX 1,003

100.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 UGX 10.9K

$1.29 UGX 4,841

124.03%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.75 UGX 32.9K

$5.45 UGX 20.5K

60.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 UGX 4,665

$1.08 UGX 4,072

14.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 UGX 8,053

$1.41 UGX 5,320

51.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.86 UGX 3,248

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.33 UGX 155.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,162

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 972

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.13 UGX 15.5K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,478

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

$8,985 UGX 33.8M

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

$8,649 UGX 32.5M

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

$41.73 UGX 156.9K

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

$14.10 UGX 53.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.81 UGX 164.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.49 UGX 182.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.56 UGX 28.4K

Cinema Ticket

$6.25 UGX 23.5K

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

$161 UGX 603.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,373 UGX 16.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.20 UGX 64.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.21 UGX 53.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.06 UGX 146.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.64 UGX 179.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$395 UGX 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$219 UGX 822.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$982 UGX 3.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$347 UGX 1.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,231 UGX 4.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$980 UGX 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$191 UGX 717.4K

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 Kampala: June 2, 2026

Last update for Busia: June 2, 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 818% 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 $1,121 in Kampala and $122 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 107% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $747 per month in Kampala versus $81.4 in Busia – a 818% 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 818% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.