Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Tbilisi Cost of Living Comparison Between Kampala and Tbilisi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $747 in Kampala versus $1,209 in Tbilisi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,128 in Kampala versus $1,867 in Tbilisi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,508 in Kampala versus $2,526 in Tbilisi.

Living in Kampala costs roughly 38% less than in Tbilisi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kampala 44% lower, Tbilisi 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.82 UGX 10.6K
$10.80 ₾28.70
-73.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.26 UGX 98.7K
$43.18 ₾115
-39.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.39 UGX 31.5K
$8.29 ₾22.03
1.21%
Cappuccino
$2.87 UGX 10.8K
$3.00 ₾7.96
-4.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 UGX 1,914
$0.82 ₾2.17
-37.80%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 UGX 1,178
$0.46 ₾1.21
-32.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.37 UGX 5,142
$2.23 ₾5.93
-38.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 UGX 10.2K
$2.92 ₾7.75
-6.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.74 UGX 2,797
$1.93 ₾5.11
-61.66%
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 UGX 4,690
$0.68 ₾1.81
83.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.34 UGX 5,045
$1.88 ₾4.99
-28.72%
Eggs
$1.82 UGX 6,849
$2.54 ₾6.73
-28.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.29 UGX 16.1K
$7.42 ₾19.70
-42.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.92 UGX 18.5K
$6.19 ₾16.43
-20.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.15 UGX 15.6K
$9.36 ₾24.86
-55.66%
Apples (1kg)
$2.73 UGX 10.3K
$1.22 ₾3.25
123.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 UGX 5,496
$1.66 ₾4.40
-12.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.65 UGX 6,219
$1.80 ₾4.78
-8.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 UGX 5,746
$2.24 ₾5.96
-31.70%
Potato (1kg)
$1.63 UGX 6,121
$0.71 ₾1.89
129.58%
Onion (1kg)
$1.91 UGX 7,172
$0.67 ₾1.79
185.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 UGX 3,841
$1.18 ₾3.13
-13.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 UGX 2,013
$0.66 ₾1.76
-18.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.89 UGX 10.9K
$2.98 ₾7.91
-3.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.75 UGX 32.9K
$7.61 ₾20.21
14.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 UGX 4,665
$1.54 ₾4.08
-19.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 UGX 8,053
$2.25 ₾5.98
-4.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 UGX 3,248
$0.36 ₾0.95
138.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.33 UGX 155.4K
$14.44 ₾38.36
186.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.58 UGX 2,162
$1.49 ₾3.96
-61.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.26 UGX 972
$0.68 ₾1.82
-61.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.13 UGX 15.5K
$7.23 ₾19.19
-42.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 UGX 5,478
$1.14 ₾3.04
28.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,985 UGX 33.8M
$18.5K ₾49.0K
-51.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,649 UGX 32.5M
$20.0K ₾53.0K
-56.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.73 UGX 156.9K
$73.7 ₾196
-43.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.10 UGX 53.0K
$11.64 ₾30.91
21.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.81 UGX 164.8K
$17.84 ₾47.39
145.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.49 UGX 182.4K
$60.1 ₾160
-19.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.56 UGX 28.4K
$16.80 ₾44.63
-55.00%
Cinema Ticket
$6.25 UGX 23.5K
$6.60 ₾17.54
-5.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$161 UGX 603.6K
$266 ₾708
-39.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,373 UGX 16.4M
$5,191 ₾13.8K
-15.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.20 UGX 64.7K
$77.7 ₾206
-77.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.21 UGX 53.4K
$44.75 ₾119
-68.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$39.06 UGX 146.9K
$117 ₾310
-66.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.64 UGX 179.1K
$113 ₾300
-57.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$395 UGX 1.5M
$693 ₾1,839
-42.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$219 UGX 822.4K
$462 ₾1,226
-52.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$982 UGX 3.7M
$1,320 ₾3,505
-25.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$347 UGX 1.3M
$774 ₾2,056
-55.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,231 UGX 4.6M
$2,430 ₾6,455
-49.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$980 UGX 3.7M
$1,446 ₾3,840
-32.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kampala
Tbilisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$191 UGX 717.4K
$673 ₾1,787
-71.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.8
11.89
74.94%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Kampala: June 2, 2026

Last update for Tbilisi: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $395 in Kampala and $693 in Tbilisi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tbilisi pays 253% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $26.00 in Kampala vs $43.00 in Tbilisi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $166 vs $203 per month, with Kampala cheaper across the board.

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 Tbilisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tbilisi cheaper than Kampala?
Kampala is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear. The 62% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Kampala or Tbilisi?
On paper, Tbilisi earns 253% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Kampala and Tbilisi?
Rent for a central apartment: $395 in Kampala versus $693 in Tbilisi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Kampala and Tbilisi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Tbilisi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Kampala or Tbilisi?
Dining out is cheaper in Kampala – a meal for two runs $26.00 versus $43.00 in Tbilisi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Kampala or Tbilisi?
At $747 in Kampala versus $1,209 in Tbilisi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kampala but tight or insufficient in Tbilisi. The gap between the two cities makes Kampala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Kampala or Tbilisi more family-friendly?
For families, Kampala is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Tbilisi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Kampala or Tbilisi?
Safety-wise, Kampala and Tbilisi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Kampala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Tbilisi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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