Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Gulu Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Gulu

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $753 in Kampala versus $132 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Kampala versus $193 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,483 in Kampala versus $255 in Gulu.

Living in Kampala is roughly 472% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 44% lower, Gulu 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

$1.36 UGX 5,019

101.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.91 UGX 99.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.77 UGX 32.4K

$12.58 UGX 46.5K

-30.29%

Cappuccino

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

$2.85 UGX 10.5K

-3.86%

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

$0.47 UGX 1,742

$0.27 UGX 990

74.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,153

$0.13 UGX 472

138.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.36 UGX 5,041

$0.87 UGX 3,216

56.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 UGX 10.4K

$2.86 UGX 10.6K

-1.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,617

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,629

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 4,944

Eggs

$1.76 UGX 6,501

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

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.1K

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 UGX 5,598

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 UGX 6,126

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 UGX 5,827

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,073

Onion (1kg)

$1.94 UGX 7,194

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,955

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 UGX 1,973

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 UGX 10.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.62 UGX 31.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 UGX 4,351

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 UGX 7,816

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 UGX 2,937

$1.08 UGX 3,985

-26.85%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.36 UGX 153.0K

$33.05 UGX 122.3K

25.14%

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

$1.37 UGX 5,079

4.38%

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 Gulu: July 11, 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 Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 472% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,130 in Kampala and $198 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 25% 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 $753 per month in Kampala versus $132 in Gulu – a 472% 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 472% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.