😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $694 in Kampala versus $434 in Kajansi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,069 in Kampala versus $678 in Kajansi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,445 in Kampala versus $922 in Kajansi.
🌍Living in Kampala is roughly 60% more expensive than in Kajansi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala49% lower, Kajansi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.60UGX 10.2K
$2.67UGX 10.5K
-2.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.01UGX 102.4K
$26.90UGX 106.0K
-3.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.53UGX 29.6K
$7.78UGX 30.6K
-3.21%
Cappuccino
$2.61UGX 10.3K
$2.64UGX 10.4K
-1.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39UGX 1,535
$0.40UGX 1,564
-2.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26UGX 1,016
$0.30UGX 1,193
-13.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.31UGX 5,152
$1.33UGX 5,250
-1.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96UGX 7,725
$1.86UGX 7,330
5.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84UGX 3,321
$0.79UGX 3,110
6.33%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89UGX 3,522
$1.00UGX 3,949
-11.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41UGX 5,562
$1.40UGX 5,526
0.71%
Eggs
$1.62UGX 6,375
$1.57UGX 6,165
3.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.55UGX 17.9K
$4.82UGX 19.0K
-5.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.69UGX 18.5K
$4.99UGX 19.7K
-6.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.00UGX 19.7K
$5.17UGX 20.3K
-3.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.21UGX 8,687
$2.07UGX 8,162
6.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31UGX 5,169
$1.22UGX 4,817
7.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32UGX 5,214
$1.33UGX 5,241
-0.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.25UGX 4,909
$1.30UGX 5,118
-3.85%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19UGX 4,667
$1.30UGX 5,113
-8.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37UGX 5,392
$1.39UGX 5,457
-1.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75UGX 2,973
$0.78UGX 3,074
-3.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55UGX 2,148
$0.53UGX 2,085
3.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.62UGX 10.3K
$2.58UGX 10.1K
1.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.78UGX 30.6K
$7.85UGX 30.9K
-0.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07UGX 4,222
$1.05UGX 4,134
1.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95UGX 7,667
$2.08UGX 8,181
-6.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79UGX 3,122
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.75UGX 172.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52UGX 2,064
$0.54UGX 2,128
-3.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31UGX 1,207
$0.35UGX 1,364
-11.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.21UGX 12.6K
$3.23UGX 12.7K
-0.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37UGX 5,403
$1.41UGX 5,552
-2.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$7,649UGX 30.1M
$7,902UGX 31.1M
-3.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$7,693UGX 30.3M
$7,805UGX 30.7M
-1.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.5UGX 285.4K
$75.3UGX 296.4K
-3.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.82UGX 46.6K
$12.74UGX 50.2K
-7.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.46UGX 143.6K
$38.06UGX 149.9K
-4.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.2UGX 225.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.99UGX 23.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.65UGX 30.1K
$8.08UGX 31.8K
-5.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$259UGX 1.0M
$258UGX 1.0M
0.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,404UGX 33.1M
$8,706UGX 34.3M
-3.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.19UGX 55.9K
$14.90UGX 58.7K
-4.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$13.67UGX 53.8K
$13.83UGX 54.5K
-1.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$33.15UGX 130.6K
$35.01UGX 137.9K
-5.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.85UGX 180.6K
$45.87UGX 180.6K
-0.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$499UGX 2.0M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$174UGX 684.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,087UGX 4.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$318UGX 1.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,239UGX 4.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$988UGX 3.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kampala
Kajansi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$183UGX 720.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.75
20.75
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kampala: September 12, 2026
Last update for Kajansi: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $27.00 in Kajansi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $153 vs $155 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 Kajansi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kampala or Kajansi?
Kajansi wins on cost – living expenses run 60% 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 and in Kajansi?
You'd need roughly $1,041 in Kampala and $650 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 in Kajansi?
Shoppers in Kampala pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Kampala compared to Kajansi?
All in, you'll spend $694 per month in Kampala versus $434 in Kajansi – a 60% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Kampala or in 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 60% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.