Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbarara and Gulu Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbarara and Gulu

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $544 in Mbarara versus $131 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $871 in Mbarara versus $191 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,198 in Mbarara versus $252 in Gulu.

Living in Mbarara is roughly 316% more expensive than Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mbarara 60% lower, Gulu 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.75 UGX 10.3K

$1.41 UGX 5,291

95.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.49 UGX 99.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.79 UGX 33.0K

$12.38 UGX 46.4K

-29.00%

Cappuccino

$2.83 UGX 10.6K

$2.81 UGX 10.5K

0.71%

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

$0.47 UGX 1,754

$0.29 UGX 1,094

62.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 UGX 1,177

$0.15 UGX 571

106.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.40 UGX 5,256

$0.87 UGX 3,259

60.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 UGX 10.2K

$2.82 UGX 10.6K

-3.55%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.53 UGX 1,996

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 UGX 4,543

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 UGX 5,247

Eggs

$1.81 UGX 6,793

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.25 UGX 15.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.05 UGX 18.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.99 UGX 15.0K

Apples (1kg)

$2.70 UGX 10.1K

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 UGX 5,556

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 UGX 6,532

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,683

Potato (1kg)

$1.62 UGX 6,078

Onion (1kg)

$1.92 UGX 7,192

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 4,004

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 UGX 2,177

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 UGX 10.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.76 UGX 32.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 UGX 4,671

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 UGX 7,626

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 UGX 3,016

$1.09 UGX 4,077

-26.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.95 UGX 123.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,166

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 963

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.27 UGX 16.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.50 UGX 5,604

$1.41 UGX 5,297

6.38%

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

$8,971 UGX 33.6M

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

$8,729 UGX 32.7M

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

$42.35 UGX 158.7K

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

$14.64 UGX 54.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.46 UGX 162.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.99 UGX 78.7K

Cinema Ticket

$6.32 UGX 23.7K

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

$163 UGX 611.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,250 UGX 15.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.01 UGX 63.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.22 UGX 53.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.82 UGX 145.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.37 UGX 177.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$99.1 UGX 371.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$82.1 UGX 307.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 UGX 998.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$191 UGX 717.3K

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 Mbarara: June 8, 2026

Last update for Gulu: June 7, 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 Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 316% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $816 in Mbarara and $196 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.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Gulu 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 Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 316% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.