Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Kasese Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Kasese

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $747 in Kampala versus $217 in Kasese.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,128 in Kampala versus $345 in Kasese.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,508 in Kampala versus $474 in Kasese.

Living in Kampala is roughly 245% more expensive than Kasese, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 44% lower, Kasese 84% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

$1.97 UGX 7,400

43.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.26 UGX 98.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.39 UGX 31.5K

Cappuccino

$2.87 UGX 10.8K

$2.81 UGX 10.6K

2.14%

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

$0.51 UGX 1,914

$0.41 UGX 1,529

24.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,178

$0.27 UGX 1,012

14.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 5,142

$0.80 UGX 2,990

71.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 UGX 10.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.74 UGX 2,797

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,690

$1.14 UGX 4,291

9.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,045

$0.98 UGX 3,703

36.73%

Eggs

$1.82 UGX 6,849

$2.99 UGX 11.2K

-39.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.92 UGX 18.5K

$5.44 UGX 20.5K

-9.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.15 UGX 15.6K

$4.24 UGX 16.0K

-2.12%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.3K

$2.83 UGX 10.6K

-3.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 UGX 5,496

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 UGX 6,219

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 UGX 5,746

$0.58 UGX 2,182

163.79%

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 UGX 6,121

$0.54 UGX 2,019

201.85%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,172

$0.55 UGX 2,052

247.27%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 UGX 3,841

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 UGX 2,013

$0.54 UGX 2,029

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 UGX 10.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.75 UGX 32.9K

$4.08 UGX 15.3K

114.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 UGX 4,665

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 UGX 8,053

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

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 972

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.13 UGX 15.5K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,478

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

$8,985 UGX 33.8M

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

$8,649 UGX 32.5M

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

$41.73 UGX 156.9K

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

$14.10 UGX 53.0K

$13.95 UGX 52.5K

1.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.81 UGX 164.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.49 UGX 182.4K

$28.04 UGX 105.4K

72.93%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.56 UGX 28.4K

Cinema Ticket

$6.25 UGX 23.5K

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

$161 UGX 603.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,373 UGX 16.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.20 UGX 64.7K

$13.73 UGX 51.6K

25.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.21 UGX 53.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.06 UGX 146.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.64 UGX 179.1K

$19.65 UGX 73.9K

142.44%

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

$405 UGX 1.5M

203.87%

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 Kasese: May 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 Kasese: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kasese is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 245% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,121 in Kampala and $325 in Kasese 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 64% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $747 per month in Kampala versus $217 in Kasese – a 245% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Kasese 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 Kasese gentler on the wallet – expenses run 245% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.