Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbarara and Busia Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbarara and Busia

😐 Solo nomad: Mbarara is 447.1% more expensive than Busia without rent, and 582.7% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Mbarara is 332.3% more expensive than Busia without rent, and 555% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.80 UGX 10.3K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.56 UGX 98.0K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.76 UGX 32.3K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.75 UGX 10.2K
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 UGX 1,898
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 UGX 1,068
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.36 UGX 5,016
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 UGX 10.5K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.53 UGX 1,964
$0.32 UGX 1,174
65.63%
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 UGX 4,629
$1.40 UGX 5,180
-10.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 UGX 4,901
-
-
Eggs
$1.76 UGX 6,481
$1.64 UGX 6,036
7.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.33 UGX 16.0K
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.90 UGX 18.1K
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.99 UGX 14.7K
$4.22 UGX 15.6K
-5.45%
Apples (1kg)
$2.82 UGX 10.4K
$2.73 UGX 10.1K
3.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 UGX 5,394
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 UGX 6,220
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 UGX 5,804
$0.81 UGX 2,973
93.83%
Potato (1kg)
$1.65 UGX 6,081
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.84 UGX 6,793
$1.71 UGX 6,323
7.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 UGX 3,785
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 UGX 2,108
$0.29 UGX 1,080
96.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.88 UGX 10.6K
$1.22 UGX 4,508
136.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.24 UGX 34.1K
$5.29 UGX 19.5K
74.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 UGX 4,596
$1.13 UGX 4,181
10.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 UGX 7,517
$1.42 UGX 5,244
43.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 UGX 3,210
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 UGX 1,969
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 UGX 1,035
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.15 UGX 15.3K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.44 UGX 5,320
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,869 UGX 32.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,877 UGX 32.8M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.77 UGX 154.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.63 UGX 54.0K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.31 UGX 163.5K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.09 UGX 77.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19 UGX 22.8K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 UGX 590.5K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,367 UGX 16.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.93 UGX 62.5K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.03 UGX 51.8K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$38.11 UGX 140.6K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.44 UGX 171.4K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$98.5 UGX 363.3K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$83.5 UGX 308.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$268 UGX 988.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$194 UGX 716.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mbarara
Busia
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.8
0
-

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

Last update for Mbarara: April 13, 2026

Last update for Busia: April 11, 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

Mbarara vs other spots: cost of living compared

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