😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $758 in Kampala versus $441 in Kajansi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,129 in Kampala versus $697 in Kajansi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,499 in Kampala versus $953 in Kajansi.
😐Living in Kampala is roughly 72% more expensive than Kajansi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala43% lower, Kajansi67% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.85UGX 10.5K
$2.73UGX 10.1K
4.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.42UGX 97.8K
$26.61UGX 98.5K
-0.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.84UGX 32.7K
$8.38UGX 31.0K
5.49%
Cappuccino
$2.75UGX 10.2K
$2.77UGX 10.2K
-0.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51UGX 1,882
$0.51UGX 1,877
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31UGX 1,163
$0.29UGX 1,067
6.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36UGX 5,030
$1.36UGX 5,026
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72UGX 10.1K
$2.72UGX 10.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.76UGX 2,830
$0.74UGX 2,750
2.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25UGX 4,612
$1.21UGX 4,461
3.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35UGX 4,978
$1.38UGX 5,103
-2.17%
Eggs
$1.84UGX 6,802
$1.85UGX 6,858
-0.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40UGX 16.3K
$4.27UGX 15.8K
3.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.98UGX 18.4K
$4.91UGX 18.2K
1.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.24UGX 15.7K
$4.38UGX 16.2K
-3.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.80UGX 10.4K
$2.81UGX 10.4K
-0.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52UGX 5,614
$1.52UGX 5,611
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.74UGX 6,451
$1.68UGX 6,214
3.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54UGX 5,689
$1.53UGX 5,651
0.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.60UGX 5,915
$1.63UGX 6,051
-1.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91UGX 7,081
$1.87UGX 6,915
2.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06UGX 3,915
$1.06UGX 3,914
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59UGX 2,175
$0.58UGX 2,135
1.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95UGX 10.9K
$2.90UGX 10.7K
1.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.39UGX 34.7K
$9.35UGX 34.6K
0.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24UGX 4,604
$1.24UGX 4,583
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15UGX 7,966
$2.05UGX 7,577
4.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.87UGX 3,219
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.06UGX 152.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54UGX 1,994
$0.58UGX 2,139
-6.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26UGX 953
$0.28UGX 1,042
-7.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.26UGX 15.8K
$4.20UGX 15.6K
1.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44UGX 5,325
$1.49UGX 5,515
-3.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,875UGX 32.8M
$9,179UGX 34.0M
-3.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,906UGX 33.0M
$8,739UGX 32.3M
1.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.98UGX 155.4K
$41.35UGX 153.0K
1.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.16UGX 52.4K
$14.63UGX 54.2K
-3.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.44UGX 164.5K
$44.73UGX 165.5K
-0.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.49UGX 175.8K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.46UGX 27.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.14UGX 22.7K
$6.23UGX 23.1K
-1.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$160UGX 593.9K
$164UGX 606.8K
-2.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,397UGX 16.3M
$4,285UGX 15.9M
2.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.05UGX 63.1K
$16.68UGX 61.7K
2.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.42UGX 53.4K
$14.13UGX 52.3K
2.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$38.09UGX 141.0K
$38.80UGX 143.6K
-1.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.12UGX 170.7K
$47.12UGX 174.4K
-2.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$399UGX 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$222UGX 821.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,017UGX 3.8M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$342UGX 1.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,243UGX 4.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,018UGX 3.8M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$188UGX 695.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.8
20.8
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kampala: June 14, 2026
Last update for Kajansi: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $27.00 in Kajansi. Groceries flip the comparison at $171 vs $169, with Kajansi cheaper for home cooking.
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 Kajansi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kampala or Kajansi?
Kajansi wins on cost – living expenses run 72% lower than in Kampala. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kajansi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Kampala vs Kajansi?
You'd need roughly $1,137 in Kampala and $662 in Kajansi 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.
Are groceries more expensive in Kampala or Kajansi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Kampala compared to Kajansi?
All in, you'll spend $758 per month in Kampala versus $441 in Kajansi – a 72% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Kampala or Kajansi?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Kajansi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Kampala or Kajansi?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Kajansi 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.