Cost of Living Comparison Between Lira and Kampala Cost of Living Comparison Between Lira and Kampala

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $429 in Lira versus $756 in Kampala.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $695 in Lira versus $1,133 in Kampala.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $961 in Lira versus $1,511 in Kampala.

Living in Lira costs roughly 43% less than in Kampala, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Lira 68% lower, Kampala 44% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 UGX 10.7K

$2.79 UGX 10.5K

2.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.25 UGX 98.4K

$26.40 UGX 98.9K

-0.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.54 UGX 32.0K

$8.49 UGX 31.8K

0.59%

Cappuccino

$2.77 UGX 10.4K

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

-1.77%

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

$0.27 UGX 997

$0.48 UGX 1,787

-43.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 UGX 1,098

$0.31 UGX 1,170

-6.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.86 UGX 3,213

$1.37 UGX 5,123

-37.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 UGX 10.7K

$2.83 UGX 10.6K

1.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.72 UGX 2,696

$0.76 UGX 2,834

-5.26%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 UGX 4,707

$1.24 UGX 4,653

1.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,006

$1.34 UGX 5,014

Eggs

$1.83 UGX 6,849

$1.77 UGX 6,618

3.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.34 UGX 16.3K

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

1.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.98 UGX 18.7K

$4.87 UGX 18.2K

2.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.38 UGX 16.4K

$4.14 UGX 15.5K

5.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 UGX 10.5K

$2.74 UGX 10.3K

2.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 UGX 5,462

$1.51 UGX 5,663

-3.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 UGX 6,520

$1.72 UGX 6,439

1.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 UGX 5,741

$1.55 UGX 5,799

-1.29%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 UGX 6,200

$1.59 UGX 5,970

3.77%

Onion (1kg)

$1.84 UGX 6,907

$1.87 UGX 6,993

-1.60%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 UGX 3,789

$1.02 UGX 3,817

-0.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 UGX 2,195

$0.58 UGX 2,175

1.72%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.86 UGX 10.7K

$2.85 UGX 10.7K

0.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.88 UGX 33.3K

$8.75 UGX 32.8K

1.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 UGX 4,409

$1.24 UGX 4,665

-4.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 UGX 7,707

$2.05 UGX 7,677

0.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 UGX 3,012

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.41 UGX 159.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.59 UGX 2,195

$0.54 UGX 2,041

9.26%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,052

$0.26 UGX 974

7.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.14 UGX 15.5K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.50 UGX 5,637

$1.49 UGX 5,593

0.67%

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

$9,137 UGX 34.2M

$8,864 UGX 33.2M

3.09%

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

$8,852 UGX 33.2M

$8,814 UGX 33.0M

0.43%

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

$42.77 UGX 160.3K

$42.83 UGX 160.5K

-0.14%

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

$14.59 UGX 54.7K

$14.23 UGX 53.3K

2.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.32 UGX 166.1K

$43.80 UGX 164.2K

1.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.37 UGX 177.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.16 UGX 26.8K

Cinema Ticket

$6.10 UGX 22.9K

$6.09 UGX 22.8K

0.16%

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

$163 UGX 612.6K

$160 UGX 598.0K

2.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,334 UGX 16.2M

$4,273 UGX 16.0M

1.42%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.97 UGX 63.6K

$16.73 UGX 62.7K

1.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.06 UGX 52.7K

$14.13 UGX 53.0K

-0.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.25 UGX 143.4K

$38.57 UGX 144.6K

-0.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.56 UGX 178.3K

$47.67 UGX 178.7K

-0.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$398 UGX 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$220 UGX 823.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,002 UGX 3.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$342 UGX 1.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,245 UGX 4.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$997 UGX 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$195 UGX 731.5K

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 Lira: June 6, 2026

Last update for Kampala: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $26.00 in Lira vs $26.00 in Kampala. Groceries flip the comparison at $168 vs $167, with Kampala 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

Lira vs Kampala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lira is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 76% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $643 in Lira and $1,134 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.

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

Dining out is cheaper in Lira – 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.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Lira 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 Lira gentler on the wallet – expenses run 76% less than in Kampala. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.