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: $531 in Mbarara versus $129 in Gulu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $867 in Mbarara versus $192 in Gulu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,202 in Mbarara versus $254 in Gulu.

Living in Mbarara is roughly 312% 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

$2.83 UGX 10.5K

$1.36 UGX 5,041

108.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.19 UGX 97.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.65 UGX 32.1K

$12.60 UGX 46.7K

-31.35%

Cappuccino

$2.82 UGX 10.5K

$2.85 UGX 10.6K

-1.05%

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

$0.48 UGX 1,773

$0.29 UGX 1,076

65.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 UGX 1,075

$0.14 UGX 523

107.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.40 UGX 5,198

$0.80 UGX 2,962

75.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 UGX 10.4K

$2.71 UGX 10.1K

3.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.53 UGX 1,981

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 UGX 4,461

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 UGX 4,964

Eggs

$1.77 UGX 6,560

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.26 UGX 15.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.96 UGX 18.4K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.94 UGX 14.6K

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 UGX 9,967

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,723

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 UGX 6,397

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 UGX 5,726

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 UGX 6,083

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 UGX 7,091

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 UGX 3,967

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 UGX 2,025

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.93 UGX 10.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$9.22 UGX 34.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 UGX 4,444

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 UGX 7,651

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 UGX 3,129

$1.13 UGX 4,180

-25.66%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$32.93 UGX 122.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.54 UGX 1,992

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 UGX 959

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.13 UGX 15.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 UGX 5,362

$1.36 UGX 5,056

6.62%

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

$9,122 UGX 33.8M

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

$8,717 UGX 32.3M

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

$42.29 UGX 156.8K

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

$14.37 UGX 53.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.51 UGX 161.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.49 UGX 76.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.17 UGX 22.9K

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

$162 UGX 601.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,304 UGX 16.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.28 UGX 64.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.02 UGX 52.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$39.08 UGX 144.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.50 UGX 172.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$95.5 UGX 354.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.9 UGX 311.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 UGX 986.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 UGX 711.7K

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: April 26, 2026

Last update for Gulu: April 26, 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 312% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $797 in Mbarara and $194 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 312% less than in Mbarara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.