Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and GuluCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Gulu
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $132 in Gulu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $190 in Gulu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $248 in Gulu.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 1624% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Gulu is 90% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$1.38UGX 5,166
1041.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$12.61UGX 47.2K
-17.13%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.71UGX 10.2K
7.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$0.27UGX 1,001
748.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.13UGX 502
1053.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$0.80UGX 2,985
345.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$2.84UGX 10.6K
39.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
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-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
-
-
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
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-
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
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-
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$1.08UGX 4,062
110.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$33.07UGX 123.8K
40.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.43UGX 5,367
41.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
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-
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
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-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
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-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
-
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Gulu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Gulu: July 28, 2026
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
Lisbon vs Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulu cheaper than Lisbon?
Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 1624% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,420 in Lisbon and $198 in Gulu 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 public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Gulu runs roughly 40% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Gulu?
All in, you'll spend $2,280 per month in Lisbon versus $132 in Gulu – a 1624% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Gulu?
At $132 in Gulu versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gulu but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Gulu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Gulu more family-friendly?
For families, Gulu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lisbon, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Gulu?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Gulu 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 Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1624% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.