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: $729 in Kampala versus $126 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,103 in Kampala versus $185 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,478 in Kampala versus $244 in Gulu.

Living in Kampala is roughly 479% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 47% lower, Gulu 91% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.59 UGX 9,784

$1.30 UGX 4,926

99.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.69 UGX 100.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.68 UGX 29.0K

$12.29 UGX 46.4K

-37.51%

Cappuccino

$2.63 UGX 9,927

$2.66 UGX 10.0K

-1.13%

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

$0.39 UGX 1,475

$0.26 UGX 977

50.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 UGX 1,150

$0.13 UGX 506

130.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 UGX 4,843

$0.83 UGX 3,140

54.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 UGX 7,191

$2.61 UGX 9,852

-27.20%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 UGX 3,153

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 UGX 3,683

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,261

Eggs

$1.56 UGX 5,910

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

Apples (1kg)

$2.07 UGX 7,807

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 UGX 4,383

Oranges (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,234

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 UGX 4,707

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 UGX 4,785

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,059

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.82 UGX 3,111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 UGX 1,969

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.71 UGX 10.3K

Wine (Bottle)

$7.99 UGX 30.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 UGX 3,960

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 UGX 7,869

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.78 UGX 2,932

$1.10 UGX 4,151

-29.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.89 UGX 173.3K

$32.36 UGX 122.2K

41.81%

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

$1.33 UGX 5,027

5.26%

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 Gulu: 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 Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 479% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,093 in Kampala and $189 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 42% 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 $729 per month in Kampala versus $126 in Gulu – a 479% 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 479% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.