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: $521 in Mbarara versus $124 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $826 in Mbarara versus $181 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,131 in Mbarara versus $237 in Gulu.

Living in Mbarara is roughly 321% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mbarara 62% lower, Gulu 91% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.71 UGX 10.5K

$1.31 UGX 5,044

106.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.08 UGX 100.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.76 UGX 30.0K

$11.81 UGX 45.6K

-34.29%

Cappuccino

$2.60 UGX 10.1K

$2.68 UGX 10.3K

-2.99%

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

$0.40 UGX 1,540

$0.25 UGX 959

60.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 UGX 1,068

$0.11 UGX 429

154.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.34 UGX 5,172

$0.81 UGX 3,112

65.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 UGX 7,298

$2.59 UGX 10.0K

-27.03%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.52 UGX 1,990

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 UGX 3,684

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 5,169

Eggs

$1.59 UGX 6,159

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.84 UGX 18.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.90 UGX 18.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.75 UGX 14.5K

Apples (1kg)

$2.10 UGX 8,110

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 UGX 4,469

Oranges (1kg)

$1.40 UGX 5,392

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 UGX 4,957

Potato (1kg)

$1.25 UGX 4,826

Onion (1kg)

$1.36 UGX 5,253

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78 UGX 3,011

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 UGX 2,142

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.64 UGX 10.2K

Wine (Bottle)

$7.75 UGX 29.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 UGX 4,155

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 UGX 7,838

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 UGX 2,980

$1.07 UGX 4,150

-28.04%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.45 UGX 121.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.52 UGX 1,991

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.32 UGX 1,224

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 UGX 12.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,652

$1.37 UGX 5,299

6.57%

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

$7,861 UGX 30.4M

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

$7,888 UGX 30.5M

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

$73.9 UGX 285.5K

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

$12.57 UGX 48.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.93 UGX 146.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.17 UGX 77.9K

Cinema Ticket

$7.78 UGX 30.1K

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

$260 UGX 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,382 UGX 32.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.65 UGX 56.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.84 UGX 53.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.21 UGX 132.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.35 UGX 179.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$93.6 UGX 361.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$78.3 UGX 302.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$252 UGX 975.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$189 UGX 728.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.75

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

Last update for Mbarara: September 6, 2026

Last update for Gulu: September 5, 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 321% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $781 in Mbarara and $186 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 321% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.