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: $537 in Mbarara versus $132 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $865 in Mbarara versus $190 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,193 in Mbarara versus $248 in Gulu.

Living in Mbarara is roughly 306% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.71 UGX 10.2K

$1.38 UGX 5,177

96.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.39 UGX 99.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.42 UGX 31.6K

$12.61 UGX 47.3K

-33.23%

Cappuccino

$2.71 UGX 10.2K

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

$0.48 UGX 1,794

$0.27 UGX 1,004

77.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 UGX 1,080

$0.13 UGX 503

123.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 5,140

$0.80 UGX 2,991

71.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 UGX 10.7K

$2.84 UGX 10.6K

0.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.57 UGX 2,149

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 UGX 4,680

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,016

Eggs

$1.79 UGX 6,713

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.28 UGX 16.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.99 UGX 18.7K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.85 UGX 14.5K

Apples (1kg)

$2.70 UGX 10.1K

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 UGX 5,713

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 UGX 6,503

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 UGX 5,999

Potato (1kg)

$1.59 UGX 5,972

Onion (1kg)

$1.86 UGX 6,994

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 UGX 3,959

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 UGX 2,157

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.88 UGX 10.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$8.18 UGX 30.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 UGX 4,473

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 UGX 7,759

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 UGX 3,263

$1.08 UGX 4,071

-19.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.07 UGX 124.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.58 UGX 2,189

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 1,057

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.29 UGX 16.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,461

$1.43 UGX 5,379

2.10%

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

$8,904 UGX 33.4M

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

$8,779 UGX 32.9M

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

$41.35 UGX 155.2K

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

$14.46 UGX 54.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.05 UGX 161.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.96 UGX 78.6K

Cinema Ticket

$6.45 UGX 24.2K

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

$159 UGX 595.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,380 UGX 16.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.91 UGX 63.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.39 UGX 54.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.89 UGX 142.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.98 UGX 176.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$98.5 UGX 369.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.7 UGX 314.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 UGX 990.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$194 UGX 727.1K

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: 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

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 306% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $805 in Mbarara 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.

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 306% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.