Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and SorotiCost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Soroti
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $760 in Kampala versus $417 in Soroti.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,131 in Kampala versus $679 in Soroti.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,503 in Kampala versus $941 in Soroti.
😐Living in Kampala is roughly 82% more expensive than Soroti, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala43% lower, Soroti69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.71UGX 10.0K
$2.83UGX 10.5K
-4.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.90UGX 96.0K
$26.33UGX 97.6K
-1.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.44UGX 31.3K
$8.47UGX 31.4K
-0.35%
Cappuccino
$2.85UGX 10.6K
$2.77UGX 10.3K
2.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50UGX 1,854
$0.47UGX 1,746
6.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29UGX 1,059
$0.29UGX 1,068
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.35UGX 5,019
$1.38UGX 5,114
-2.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75UGX 10.2K
$2.83UGX 10.5K
-2.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.75UGX 2,790
$0.71UGX 2,645
5.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26UGX 4,688
$1.19UGX 4,428
5.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34UGX 4,975
$1.10UGX 4,075
21.82%
Eggs
$1.85UGX 6,843
$1.78UGX 6,609
3.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.19UGX 15.6K
$4.20UGX 15.6K
-0.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.05UGX 18.7K
$5.03UGX 18.7K
0.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.18UGX 15.5K
$3.40UGX 12.6K
22.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.81UGX 10.4K
$2.82UGX 10.5K
-0.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47UGX 5,439
$1.49UGX 5,519
-1.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.66UGX 6,170
$1.73UGX 6,430
-4.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53UGX 5,675
$0.81UGX 2,991
88.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.65UGX 6,108
$0.58UGX 2,140
184.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92UGX 7,128
$1.66UGX 6,152
15.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06UGX 3,946
$1.07UGX 3,969
-0.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53UGX 1,976
$0.58UGX 2,136
-8.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.88UGX 10.7K
$2.90UGX 10.7K
-0.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.52UGX 35.3K
$9.24UGX 34.3K
3.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19UGX 4,423
$1.20UGX 4,440
-0.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08UGX 7,695
$2.07UGX 7,662
0.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.82UGX 3,026
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.93UGX 151.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54UGX 1,986
$0.58UGX 2,135
-6.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28UGX 1,045
$0.26UGX 956
7.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.18UGX 15.5K
$4.13UGX 15.3K
1.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49UGX 5,531
$1.50UGX 5,571
-0.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,992UGX 33.3M
$8,937UGX 33.1M
0.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,867UGX 32.9M
$8,607UGX 31.9M
3.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$42.71UGX 158.4K
$42.37UGX 157.1K
0.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.33UGX 53.1K
$14.30UGX 53.0K
0.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.31UGX 164.3K
$43.98UGX 163.1K
0.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.66UGX 180.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.52UGX 27.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.13UGX 22.7K
$6.12UGX 22.7K
0.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$163UGX 606.1K
$160UGX 593.1K
2.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,253UGX 15.8M
$4,287UGX 15.9M
-0.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.04UGX 63.2K
$16.75UGX 62.1K
1.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.52UGX 53.8K
$14.10UGX 52.3K
2.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$38.71UGX 143.5K
$38.58UGX 143.0K
0.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.00UGX 174.3K
$46.64UGX 172.9K
0.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$395UGX 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$221UGX 820.2K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$982UGX 3.6M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$344UGX 1.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,241UGX 4.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$993UGX 3.7M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kampala
Soroti
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$199UGX 737.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.8
20.8
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kampala: April 26, 2026
Last update for Soroti: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $26.00 in Soroti. Groceries flip the comparison at $169 vs $157, with Soroti 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 Soroti: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soroti cheaper than Kampala?
Soroti is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 82% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,140 in Kampala and $625 in Soroti 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.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $163 in Kampala versus $160 in Soroti. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Kampala or Soroti?
Dining out is cheaper in Soroti – a meal for two runs $26.00 versus $26.00 in Kampala. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Kampala or Soroti?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Soroti gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Kampala or Soroti?
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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Soroti gentler on the wallet – expenses run 82% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.