Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Lugazi Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Lugazi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $758 in Kampala versus $438 in Lugazi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,129 in Kampala versus $703 in Lugazi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,499 in Kampala versus $967 in Lugazi.

Living in Kampala is roughly 73% more expensive than Lugazi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 43% lower, Lugazi 67% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.85 UGX 10.5K

$2.73 UGX 10.1K

4.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.42 UGX 97.8K

$26.69 UGX 98.8K

-1.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.84 UGX 32.7K

$8.57 UGX 31.7K

3.15%

Cappuccino

$2.75 UGX 10.2K

$2.71 UGX 10.0K

1.48%

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

$0.51 UGX 1,882

$0.47 UGX 1,748

8.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,163

$0.31 UGX 1,165

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.36 UGX 5,030

$1.43 UGX 5,285

-4.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 UGX 10.1K

$2.82 UGX 10.5K

-3.55%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 UGX 2,830

$0.70 UGX 2,581

8.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,612

$1.21 UGX 4,468

3.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 UGX 4,978

$1.38 UGX 5,116

-2.17%

Eggs

$1.84 UGX 6,802

$1.77 UGX 6,564

3.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 UGX 16.3K

$4.29 UGX 15.9K

2.56%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.98 UGX 18.4K

$4.87 UGX 18.0K

2.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.24 UGX 15.7K

$4.32 UGX 16.0K

-1.85%

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 UGX 10.4K

$2.69 UGX 9,946

4.09%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,614

$1.49 UGX 5,499

2.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 UGX 6,451

$1.68 UGX 6,207

3.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,689

$1.60 UGX 5,929

-3.75%

Potato (1kg)

$1.60 UGX 5,915

$1.57 UGX 5,814

1.91%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,081

$1.92 UGX 7,119

-0.52%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 UGX 3,915

$1.06 UGX 3,914

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 UGX 2,175

$0.53 UGX 1,978

11.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 UGX 10.9K

$2.89 UGX 10.7K

2.08%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.39 UGX 34.7K

$9.52 UGX 35.3K

-1.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 UGX 4,604

$1.23 UGX 4,568

0.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 UGX 7,966

$2.14 UGX 7,910

0.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 UGX 3,219

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.06 UGX 152.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.54 UGX 1,994

$0.55 UGX 2,022

-1.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 953

$0.26 UGX 951

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.26 UGX 15.8K

$4.09 UGX 15.1K

4.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 UGX 5,325

$1.45 UGX 5,363

-0.69%

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

$8,875 UGX 32.8M

$9,146 UGX 33.9M

-2.97%

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

$8,906 UGX 33.0M

$8,716 UGX 32.3M

2.19%

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

$41.98 UGX 155.4K

$41.45 UGX 153.4K

1.28%

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

$14.16 UGX 52.4K

$14.49 UGX 53.6K

-2.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.44 UGX 164.5K

$43.32 UGX 160.4K

2.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.49 UGX 175.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.46 UGX 27.6K

Cinema Ticket

$6.14 UGX 22.7K

$6.29 UGX 23.3K

-2.38%

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

$160 UGX 593.9K

$163 UGX 603.1K

-1.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,397 UGX 16.3M

$4,380 UGX 16.2M

0.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.05 UGX 63.1K

$17.18 UGX 63.6K

-0.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.42 UGX 53.4K

$14.03 UGX 51.9K

2.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.09 UGX 141.0K

$38.38 UGX 142.1K

-0.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.12 UGX 170.7K

$47.11 UGX 174.4K

-2.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 UGX 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$222 UGX 821.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,017 UGX 3.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$342 UGX 1.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,243 UGX 4.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,018 UGX 3.8M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$188 UGX 695.9K

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 14, 2026

Last update for Lugazi: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $27.00 in Lugazi. Groceries flip the comparison at $171 vs $168, with Lugazi 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 Lugazi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lugazi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 73% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,137 in Kampala and $658 in Lugazi 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.

Childcare runs $160 in Kampala versus $163 in Lugazi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Lugazi – a meal for two runs $27.00 versus $26.00 in Kampala. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Lugazi 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 Lugazi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 73% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.