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: $753 in Kampala versus $217 in Kasese.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Kampala versus $346 in Kasese.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,483 in Kampala versus $476 in Kasese.

Living in Kampala is roughly 247% more expensive than in Kasese, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

$1.99 UGX 7,361

37.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.91 UGX 99.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.77 UGX 32.4K

Cappuccino

$2.74 UGX 10.1K

$2.72 UGX 10.1K

0.74%

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

$0.47 UGX 1,742

$0.40 UGX 1,482

17.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,153

$0.29 UGX 1,086

6.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.36 UGX 5,041

$0.81 UGX 2,987

67.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 UGX 10.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,617

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,629

$1.10 UGX 4,052

13.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 4,944

$1.00 UGX 3,712

34.00%

Eggs

$1.76 UGX 6,501

$2.96 UGX 11.0K

-40.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.34 UGX 16.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.87 UGX 18.0K

$5.41 UGX 20.0K

-9.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.23 UGX 15.6K

$4.29 UGX 15.9K

-1.40%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 UGX 10.1K

$2.74 UGX 10.2K

-0.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 UGX 5,598

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 UGX 6,126

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 UGX 5,827

$0.58 UGX 2,148

172.41%

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,073

$0.55 UGX 2,028

198.18%

Onion (1kg)

$1.94 UGX 7,194

$0.57 UGX 2,110

240.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,955

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 UGX 1,973

$0.53 UGX 1,969

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 UGX 10.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.62 UGX 31.9K

$4.05 UGX 15.0K

112.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 UGX 4,351

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 UGX 7,816

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 UGX 2,937

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.36 UGX 153.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.55 UGX 2,029

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,037

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.24 UGX 15.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 UGX 5,285

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

$8,909 UGX 33.0M

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

$8,617 UGX 31.9M

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

$42.44 UGX 157.0K

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

$14.53 UGX 53.7K

$13.78 UGX 51.0K

5.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.09 UGX 159.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.76 UGX 180.4K

$27.79 UGX 102.8K

75.46%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.42 UGX 27.5K

Cinema Ticket

$6.15 UGX 22.8K

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

$164 UGX 605.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,247 UGX 15.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.31 UGX 64.0K

$14.11 UGX 52.2K

22.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.47 UGX 53.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.03 UGX 140.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.10 UGX 170.5K

$19.61 UGX 72.5K

135.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$402 UGX 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$225 UGX 831.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$987 UGX 3.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$337 UGX 1.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,253 UGX 4.6M

$400 UGX 1.5M

213.20%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,001 UGX 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 UGX 710.4K

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Kasese: July 11, 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 247% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,130 in Kampala and $326 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 65% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $753 per month in Kampala versus $217 in Kasese – a 247% 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 247% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.