Cost of Living in Lira - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $384 (excluding rent), and $425 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $933 (excluding rent), and $952 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.75 UGX 9,861
$1.38 UGX 4,931
$5.5 UGX 19.7K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.61 UGX 95.4K
$16.81 UGX 60.2K
$42.02 UGX 150.6K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.6 UGX 30.8K
$6.95 UGX 24.9K
$9.98 UGX 35.8K
Cappuccino
$2.75 UGX 9,865
$1.92 UGX 6,895
$4.11 UGX 14.7K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 UGX 954
$0.27 UGX 954
$1.32 UGX 4,736
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 UGX 1,045
$0.29 UGX 1,045
$0.58 UGX 2,090
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.8 UGX 2,867
$0.8 UGX 2,867
$1.88 UGX 6,735
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 UGX 9,699
$1.9 UGX 6,803
$4.06 UGX 14.5K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.71 UGX 2,558
$0.41 UGX 1,472
$1.09 UGX 3,890
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 UGX 4,532
$0.72 UGX 2,579
$1.72 UGX 6,153
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.4 UGX 5,000
$1.14 UGX 4,081
$1.71 UGX 6,140
Eggs
$1.81 UGX 6,500
$1.25 UGX 4,477
$3.51 UGX 12.6K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.42 UGX 15.8K
$1.42 UGX 5,093
$8.54 UGX 30.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.04 UGX 18.1K
$2.25 UGX 8,065
$8.43 UGX 30.2K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.27 UGX 15.3K
$3.9 UGX 14K
$4.74 UGX 17K
Apples (1kg)
$2.79 UGX 10K
$1.41 UGX 5,058
$4.23 UGX 15.2K
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 UGX 5,516
$0.85 UGX 3,052
$2.85 UGX 10.2K
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 UGX 6,197
$0.84 UGX 3,026
$2.83 UGX 10.1K
Tomato (1kg)
$1.6 UGX 5,746
$0.85 UGX 3,057
$2.86 UGX 10.2K
Potato (1kg)
$1.63 UGX 5,845
$0.71 UGX 2,541
$2.82 UGX 10.1K
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 UGX 6,617
$0.81 UGX 2,906
$2.99 UGX 10.7K
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 UGX 3,829
$0.43 UGX 1,546
$1.72 UGX 6,148
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 UGX 2,092
$0.44 UGX 1,569
$0.87 UGX 3,101
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93 UGX 10.5K
$2.79 UGX 10K
$5.59 UGX 20K
Wine (Bottle)
$10.46 UGX 37.5K
$5.58 UGX 20K
$13.95 UGX 50K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 UGX 4,232
$0.81 UGX 2,903
$1.36 UGX 4,862
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 UGX 7,583
$1.12 UGX 4,027
$4.05 UGX 14.5K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.54 UGX 1,952
$0.27 UGX 976
$2.7 UGX 9,688
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 UGX 1,010
$0.28 UGX 1,010
$0.86 UGX 3,069
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.06 UGX 14.6K
$1.35 UGX 4,850
$8.13 UGX 29.1K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 UGX 5,306
$1.4 UGX 5,018
$1.68 UGX 6,028
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,915 UGX 32M
$8,229 UGX 29.5M
$9,601 UGX 34.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,695 UGX 31.2M
$8,281 UGX 29.7M
$10.4K UGX 37.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.59 UGX 149.1K
$21.98 UGX 78.8K
$65.9 UGX 236.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.56 UGX 52.2K
$8.45 UGX 30.3K
$28.16 UGX 100.9K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.4 UGX 159.1K
$33.77 UGX 121K
$141 UGX 504.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$6.31 UGX 22.6K
$4.77 UGX 17.1K
$12.62 UGX 45.2K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$164 UGX 587.8K
$106 UGX 380.9K
$283 UGX 1M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,255 UGX 15.3M
$1,647 UGX 5.9M
$6,862 UGX 24.6M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.83 UGX 60.3K
$8.27 UGX 29.6K
$22.04 UGX 79K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.09 UGX 50.5K
$8.25 UGX 29.6K
$24.74 UGX 88.7K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$38.55 UGX 138.2K
$19.44 UGX 69.7K
$55.6 UGX 199.2K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.92 UGX 168.2K
$27.78 UGX 99.6K
$83.3 UGX 298.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.8
16
24
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Lira - Frequently Asked Questions
How would you summarize the affordability of Lira for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value?
Cost of Living in Lira, Uganda is approachable for those who travel light and stay flexible. You’ll find budget guesthouses, simple meals from local eateries, and transport options that keep daily costs predictable without constant price spikes. The strongest value often appears in longer stays or when living in quieter neighborhoods away from the city center, where services are basic but reliable. For most, the biggest savings come from buying locally produced food, using public transport, and choosing shared spaces for work. Seasonality and local festivals can shift prices temporarily, so plan a flexible itinerary. Tip: Build a lean budget and test two or three neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like in Lira, including housing search, food options, transport, co-working, and errands?
Daily life in Lira is practical and achievable if you plan around local rhythms. When housing hunt, start with guesthouses or small apartment blocks in or near the town center, then compare convenience versus rent. For food, explore open markets for staples and small eateries for daily meals; imported goods can drive up costs. Local transport is straightforward – shared taxis or motorbike options on call – often the most economical way to move between neighborhoods. Co-working spaces, cafes with reliable Wi-Fi, and fruit-and-vegetable markets shape errands and routines. Lira, Uganda living cost tends to be stable for routine needs, though occasional spikes happen around holidays. Tip: map a weekly route to save time and fuel.
How can you balance quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit to maximize your stay, including seasonality considerations and safety?
Quality of life in this city hinges on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and access to essentials. A practical budgeting framework focuses on essentials first, then flexible spending for meals, transport, and experiences, with a separate bucket for savings or activities. Seasonal shifts influence transport reliability and market availability, so build a buffer when planning longer stays. For a good fit, explore areas near the town center for quick access to markets and coworking, or pick quieter suburbs for more space and a calmer daily rhythm. Tip: outline your priorities, test two neighborhoods, and adjust your plan after the first month.
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