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: $729 in Kampala versus $205 in Kasese.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,103 in Kampala versus $327 in Kasese.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,478 in Kampala versus $448 in Kasese.

Living in Kampala is roughly 255% more expensive than in Kasese, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 47% lower, Kasese 85% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.59 UGX 9,784

$1.83 UGX 6,911

41.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.69 UGX 100.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.68 UGX 29.0K

Cappuccino

$2.63 UGX 9,927

$2.70 UGX 10.2K

-2.59%

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

$0.39 UGX 1,475

$0.41 UGX 1,552

-4.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 UGX 1,150

$0.28 UGX 1,060

7.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 UGX 4,843

$0.80 UGX 3,006

60.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 UGX 7,191

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 UGX 3,153

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 UGX 3,683

$1.04 UGX 3,928

-6.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,261

$0.93 UGX 3,501

49.46%

Eggs

$1.56 UGX 5,910

$2.88 UGX 10.9K

-45.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.74 UGX 17.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.81 UGX 18.2K

$5.28 UGX 19.9K

-8.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.12 UGX 19.4K

$3.94 UGX 14.9K

29.95%

Apples (1kg)

$2.07 UGX 7,807

$2.74 UGX 10.4K

-24.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 UGX 4,383

Oranges (1kg)

$1.39 UGX 5,234

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 UGX 4,707

$0.53 UGX 1,986

135.85%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 UGX 4,785

$0.53 UGX 1,991

139.62%

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,059

$0.52 UGX 1,952

157.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.82 UGX 3,111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 UGX 1,969

$0.51 UGX 1,940

1.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.71 UGX 10.3K

Wine (Bottle)

$7.99 UGX 30.2K

$3.91 UGX 14.8K

104.35%

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

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.89 UGX 173.3K

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

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

$13.46 UGX 50.9K

-8.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.19 UGX 140.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$59.3 UGX 224.1K

$27.23 UGX 102.9K

117.88%

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

$13.65 UGX 51.6K

10.40%

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

$18.70 UGX 70.6K

147.33%

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

$408 UGX 1.5M

195.77%

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 Kasese: August 29, 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, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 255% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,093 in Kampala and $308 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 59% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $729 per month in Kampala versus $205 in Kasese – a 255% 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 255% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.