Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kasese and Kampala

For one person, living is cheaper in Kasese: $193 a month against $669 in Kampala, rent and utilities included – about $5,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Kasese
🇺🇬 Uganda
$193
/mo nomad
Kampala
🇺🇬 Uganda
$669
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kasese and in Kampala

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Kasese and in Kampala actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $193 in Kasese versus $669 in Kampala.

  • Kasese $193
  • Kampala $669

Estimated couple costs with rent: $308 in Kasese versus $1,022 in Kampala.

  • Kasese $308
  • Kampala $1,022

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $424 in Kasese versus $1,376 in Kampala.

  • Kasese $424
  • Kampala $1,376

Living in Kasese costs roughly 71% less than in Kampala, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kasese 86% lower, Kampala 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79 UGX 7,343
$2.35 UGX 9,669
-23.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$24.24 UGX 99.7K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.32 UGX 30.1K
-
Cappuccino
$2.43 UGX 9,982
$2.48 UGX 10.2K
-2.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 UGX 1,573
$0.35 UGX 1,433
8.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26 UGX 1,071
$0.25 UGX 1,021
4.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.77 UGX 3,176
$1.19 UGX 4,891
-35.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.79 UGX 7,359
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$0.73 UGX 3,004
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.02 UGX 4,213
$0.90 UGX 3,709
13.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.83 UGX 3,429
$1.34 UGX 5,514
-38.06%
Eggs
$2.73 UGX 11.2K
$1.60 UGX 6,596
70.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$4.36 UGX 17.9K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.05 UGX 20.8K
$4.58 UGX 18.8K
10.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.78 UGX 15.6K
$4.84 UGX 19.9K
-21.90%
Apples (1kg)
$2.47 UGX 10.2K
$2.12 UGX 8,718
16.51%
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.27 UGX 5,238
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.26 UGX 5,197
-
Tomato (1kg)
$0.48 UGX 1,970
$1.16 UGX 4,766
-58.62%
Potato (1kg)
$0.48 UGX 1,955
$1.24 UGX 5,103
-61.29%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 UGX 1,998
$1.18 UGX 4,846
-58.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.78 UGX 3,197
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 UGX 1,991
$0.52 UGX 2,145
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.37 UGX 9,746
-
Wine (Bottle)
$3.71 UGX 15.3K
$7.39 UGX 30.4K
-49.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.07 UGX 4,416
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.82 UGX 7,485
-
🚌 Getting Around
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.72 UGX 2,954
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$41.77 UGX 171.8K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.46 UGX 1,912
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.29 UGX 1,182
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.09 UGX 12.7K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.40 UGX 5,746
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$7,189 UGX 29.6M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$7,180 UGX 29.5M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$69.3 UGX 285.0K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.59 UGX 51.8K
$11.61 UGX 47.8K
8.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$33.60 UGX 138.2K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.04 UGX 103.0K
$54.2 UGX 222.9K
-53.79%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$5.86 UGX 24.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$7.10 UGX 29.2K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$248 UGX 1.0M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$8,313 UGX 34.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.48 UGX 51.3K
$13.54 UGX 55.7K
-7.83%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$12.51 UGX 51.5K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$31.32 UGX 128.8K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.65 UGX 72.6K
$42.57 UGX 175.1K
-58.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$477 UGX 2.0M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$165 UGX 679.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,031 UGX 4.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$297 UGX 1.2M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$368 UGX 1.5M
$1,217 UGX 5.0M
-69.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$948 UGX 3.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kasese
Kampala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$173 UGX 709.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
20.75
-

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

Last update for Kasese: October 10, 2026

Last update for Kampala: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Kasese
–
Kampala
$165
Groceries & Markets
Kasese
–
Kampala
$147
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kasese
–
Kampala
$115
Eating Out
Kasese
–
Kampala
$82
Sport & Entertainment
Kasese
–
Kampala
$68
Getting Around
Kasese
–
Kampala
$47
Clothing & Footwear
Kasese
–
Kampala
$45
Good to know
🇺🇬 Kasese
🇺🇬 Kampala
🕒 Local time
07:58 7:58 AM
07:58 7:58 AM
Same time as Kasese
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
101,679
1,516,210 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to UGX – Ugandan Shilling Converter

Ugandan Shilling exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 4,113 UGX (10,000 UGX = 2.43 USD). 1 EUR = 4,624 UGX (10,000 UGX = 2.16 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Kasese Kampala 280 km
From you
  • Kasese
  • Kampala

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Kasese vs Kampala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kampala cheaper than Kasese?
Kasese is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and leisure. The 248% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $289 in Kasese and $1,003 in Kampala 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.
How do food prices compare in Kasese and in Kampala?
Supermarket bills run roughly 61% higher in Kampala. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Kasese and in Kampala?
All in, you'll spend $193 per month in Kasese versus $669 in Kampala – a 248% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Kasese or Kampala?
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.
Is it better to live in Kasese or in Kampala?
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 Kasese gentler on the wallet – expenses run 248% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Kasese vs other spots: cost of living compared

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