Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Gulu

For one person, living is cheaper in Gulu: $113 a month against $666 in Kampala, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

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Cost of Living Index in Kampala
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Kampala Living Index

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Kampala

🇺🇬 Uganda

$666

/mo nomad

Gulu

🇺🇬 Uganda

$113

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kampala and in Gulu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Kampala and in Gulu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $666 in Kampala versus $113 in Gulu.

Kampala $666
Gulu $113

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,013 in Kampala versus $165 in Gulu.

Kampala $1,013
Gulu $165

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,360 in Kampala versus $217 in Gulu.

Kampala $1,360
Gulu $217

Living in Kampala is roughly 491% more expensive than in Gulu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 51% lower, Gulu 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.47 UGX 10.2K

$1.22 UGX 5,036

102.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.34 UGX 100.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.30 UGX 30.0K

$10.81 UGX 44.5K

-32.47%

Cappuccino

$2.46 UGX 10.1K

$2.38 UGX 9,787

3.36%

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

$0.38 UGX 1,550

$0.25 UGX 1,032

52.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 UGX 1,115

$0.11 UGX 452

145.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.24 UGX 5,083

$0.69 UGX 2,844

79.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 UGX 7,456

$2.48 UGX 10.2K

-27.02%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,934

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 UGX 3,580

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 UGX 5,405

Eggs

$1.51 UGX 6,205

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 UGX 18.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.31 UGX 17.7K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.81 UGX 19.8K

Apples (1kg)

$2.02 UGX 8,325

Banana (1kg)

$1.20 UGX 4,936

Oranges (1kg)

$1.30 UGX 5,357

Tomato (1kg)

$1.14 UGX 4,691

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 UGX 4,822

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 UGX 4,877

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 UGX 2,948

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 UGX 2,085

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.37 UGX 9,741

Wine (Bottle)

$7.14 UGX 29.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 UGX 4,295

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 UGX 7,716

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.70 UGX 2,885

$0.95 UGX 3,896

-26.32%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.39 UGX 174.4K

$28.33 UGX 116.5K

49.63%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.49 UGX 2,030

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 UGX 1,177

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.95 UGX 12.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 UGX 5,619

$1.25 UGX 5,138

9.60%

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

$7,292 UGX 30.0M

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

$7,173 UGX 29.5M

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

$67.4 UGX 277.3K

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

$11.55 UGX 47.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.95 UGX 139.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.7 UGX 225.0K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.69 UGX 23.4K

Cinema Ticket

$7.33 UGX 30.1K

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

$250 UGX 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,286 UGX 34.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.33 UGX 54.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$12.84 UGX 52.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$31.38 UGX 129.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.58 UGX 175.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$476 UGX 2.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$165 UGX 680.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,046 UGX 4.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 UGX 1.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,185 UGX 4.9M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$967 UGX 4.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$170 UGX 697.8K

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: October 18, 2026

Last update for Gulu: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Kampala

$165 24.8%

Gulu

–

Groceries & Markets

Kampala

$143 21.4%

Gulu

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Kampala

$113 17%

Gulu

–

Eating Out

Kampala

$84 12.6%

Gulu

–

Sport & Entertainment

Kampala

$69 10.4%

Gulu

–

Getting Around

Kampala

$47 7.1%

Gulu

–

Clothing & Footwear

Kampala

$45 6.8%

Gulu

–

Good to know

🇺🇬 Kampala

🇺🇬 Gulu

🕒 Local time

13:49 1:49 PM

Same time as Kampala

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,516,210 Capital

152,276

💱 Currency

Ugandan Shilling UGX Sh

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 UGX = 2.43 USD

10,000 UGX = 2.16 EUR

10,000 UGX = 2.43 USD

10,000 UGX = 2.16 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Kampala Gulu 270 km

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Kampala
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Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and leisure. The 491% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $999 in Kampala and $169 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.

A monthly transit pass in Gulu runs roughly 50% less than in Kampala. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

All in, you'll spend $666 per month in Kampala versus $113 in Gulu – a 491% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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.

Expats usually find Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 491% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.