Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Iganga Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Iganga

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $747 in Kampala versus $436 in Iganga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,128 in Kampala versus $708 in Iganga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,508 in Kampala versus $980 in Iganga.

Living in Kampala is roughly 72% more expensive than Iganga, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 44% lower, Iganga 67% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.26 UGX 98.7K

$26.70 UGX 100.4K

-1.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.39 UGX 31.5K

$8.45 UGX 31.8K

-0.71%

Cappuccino

$2.87 UGX 10.8K

$2.76 UGX 10.4K

3.99%

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

$0.51 UGX 1,914

$0.48 UGX 1,795

6.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,178

$0.29 UGX 1,084

6.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 5,142

$1.41 UGX 5,293

-2.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 UGX 10.2K

$2.73 UGX 10.3K

-0.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.74 UGX 2,797

$0.76 UGX 2,844

-2.63%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,690

$1.24 UGX 4,673

0.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,045

$1.38 UGX 5,171

-2.90%

Eggs

$1.82 UGX 6,849

$1.84 UGX 6,917

-1.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

$4.20 UGX 15.8K

2.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.92 UGX 18.5K

$5.14 UGX 19.3K

-4.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.15 UGX 15.6K

$4.34 UGX 16.3K

-4.38%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.3K

$2.81 UGX 10.6K

-2.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 UGX 5,496

$1.47 UGX 5,514

-0.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 UGX 6,219

$1.74 UGX 6,536

-5.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 UGX 5,746

$1.60 UGX 6,032

-4.38%

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 UGX 6,121

$1.66 UGX 6,224

-1.81%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,172

$1.91 UGX 7,178

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 UGX 3,841

$1.01 UGX 3,799

0.99%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 UGX 2,013

$0.58 UGX 2,193

-6.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 UGX 10.9K

$2.84 UGX 10.7K

1.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.75 UGX 32.9K

$8.56 UGX 32.2K

2.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 UGX 4,665

$1.24 UGX 4,647

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 UGX 8,053

$2.15 UGX 8,082

-0.47%

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

$0.58 UGX 2,189

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 972

$0.26 UGX 966

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.13 UGX 15.5K

$4.15 UGX 15.6K

-0.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,478

$1.44 UGX 5,432

1.39%

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

$8,985 UGX 33.8M

$9,078 UGX 34.1M

-1.03%

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

$8,649 UGX 32.5M

$8,613 UGX 32.4M

0.43%

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

$41.73 UGX 156.9K

$42.22 UGX 158.8K

-1.16%

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

$14.10 UGX 53.0K

$14.45 UGX 54.3K

-2.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.81 UGX 164.8K

$44.56 UGX 167.6K

-1.68%

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

$6.28 UGX 23.6K

-0.48%

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

$161 UGX 603.6K

$161 UGX 604.3K

-0.11%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,373 UGX 16.4M

$4,301 UGX 16.2M

1.68%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.20 UGX 64.7K

$16.81 UGX 63.2K

2.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.21 UGX 53.4K

$14.29 UGX 53.7K

-0.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.06 UGX 146.9K

$38.91 UGX 146.3K

0.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.64 UGX 179.1K

$46.84 UGX 176.1K

1.71%

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 Iganga: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $27.00 in Iganga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $166 vs $169 per month, with Kampala cheaper across the board.

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 Iganga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Iganga is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 72% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,121 in Kampala and $653 in Iganga 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.

Childcare runs $161 in Kampala versus $161 in Iganga. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Iganga – a meal for two runs $27.00 versus $26.00 in Kampala. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Iganga 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.

Safety-wise, Kampala and Iganga are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Iganga gentler on the wallet – expenses run 72% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.