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: $753 in Kampala versus $79.6 in Busia.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Kampala versus $133 in Busia.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,483 in Kampala versus $185 in Busia.

Living in Kampala is roughly 847% more expensive than in Busia, driven mainly by Eating Out.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.91 UGX 99.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.77 UGX 32.4K

Cappuccino

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

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

$0.47 UGX 1,742

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,153

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.36 UGX 5,041

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 UGX 10.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,617

$0.32 UGX 1,180

121.87%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,629

$1.43 UGX 5,285

-12.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 4,944

Eggs

$1.76 UGX 6,501

$1.64 UGX 6,073

7.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.34 UGX 16.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.87 UGX 18.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.23 UGX 15.6K

$4.06 UGX 15.0K

4.19%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.1K

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

-0.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 UGX 5,598

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 UGX 6,126

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 UGX 5,827

$0.86 UGX 3,174

83.72%

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,073

Onion (1kg)

$1.94 UGX 7,194

$1.69 UGX 6,239

14.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,955

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 UGX 1,973

$0.27 UGX 996

96.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 UGX 10.9K

$1.26 UGX 4,673

134.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.62 UGX 31.9K

$5.53 UGX 20.5K

55.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 UGX 4,351

$1.08 UGX 3,994

9.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 UGX 7,816

$1.37 UGX 5,053

54.01%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 UGX 2,937

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.36 UGX 153.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.55 UGX 2,029

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,037

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.24 UGX 15.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 UGX 5,285

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

$8,909 UGX 33.0M

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

$8,617 UGX 31.9M

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

$42.44 UGX 157.0K

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

$14.53 UGX 53.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.09 UGX 159.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.76 UGX 180.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.42 UGX 27.5K

Cinema Ticket

$6.15 UGX 22.8K

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

$164 UGX 605.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,247 UGX 15.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.31 UGX 64.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.47 UGX 53.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.03 UGX 140.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.10 UGX 170.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$402 UGX 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$225 UGX 831.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$987 UGX 3.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$337 UGX 1.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,253 UGX 4.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,001 UGX 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 UGX 710.4K

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Busia: July 12, 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 847% 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 $1,130 in Kampala and $119 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 108% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $753 per month in Kampala versus $79.6 in Busia – a 847% 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 847% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.