Cost of Living in Uganda - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Uganda
Address: UG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $485 (excluding rent), and $716 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,110 (excluding rent), and $1,412 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.85 UGX 9,982

$1.42 UGX 4,991

$4.27 UGX 15.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.54 UGX 89.5K

$17.02 UGX 59.7K

$42.56 UGX 149.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.78 UGX 30.8K

$6.37 UGX 22.3K

$10.20 UGX 35.8K

Cappuccino

$2.66 UGX 9,318

$1.93 UGX 6,755

$4.12 UGX 14.4K

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

$0.41 UGX 1,437

$0.27 UGX 936

$0.79 UGX 2,774

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 UGX 977

$0.27 UGX 943

$0.54 UGX 1,886

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 UGX 4,795

$0.82 UGX 2,863

$1.64 UGX 5,760

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 UGX 9,634

$1.93 UGX 6,758

$4.12 UGX 14.5K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 UGX 2,481

$0.43 UGX 1,510

$1.14 UGX 3,991

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 UGX 4,335

$0.71 UGX 2,487

$1.69 UGX 5,934

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 UGX 4,528

$1.09 UGX 3,808

$1.63 UGX 5,729

Eggs

$1.96 UGX 6,854

$1.28 UGX 4,473

$3.58 UGX 12.6K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.74 UGX 16.6K

$1.66 UGX 5,819

$8.30 UGX 29.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.98 UGX 17.5K

$2.20 UGX 7,696

$8.22 UGX 28.8K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.24 UGX 14.8K

$3.64 UGX 12.8K

$4.76 UGX 16.7K

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 UGX 9,739

$1.42 UGX 4,977

$4.26 UGX 14.9K

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 UGX 5,160

$0.71 UGX 2,474

$2.80 UGX 9,826

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 UGX 6,069

$0.84 UGX 2,946

$2.81 UGX 9,866

Tomato (1kg)

$1.47 UGX 5,138

$0.55 UGX 1,918

$2.72 UGX 9,522

Potato (1kg)

$1.42 UGX 4,993

$0.55 UGX 1,928

$2.73 UGX 9,572

Onion (1kg)

$1.72 UGX 6,030

$0.82 UGX 2,876

$2.75 UGX 9,634

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 UGX 3,601

$0.41 UGX 1,454

$1.65 UGX 5,782

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 UGX 1,909

$0.41 UGX 1,431

$0.81 UGX 2,829

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.84 UGX 9,945

$2.17 UGX 7,595

$5.40 UGX 18.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$10.41 UGX 36.5K

$5.11 UGX 17.9K

$14.21 UGX 49.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 UGX 4,014

$0.81 UGX 2,848

$1.36 UGX 4,769

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 UGX 7,086

$1.12 UGX 3,913

$4.02 UGX 14.1K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 UGX 2,798

$0.54 UGX 1,888

$1.34 UGX 4,686

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.41 UGX 131.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.73 UGX 2,565

$0.29 UGX 1,026

$2.91 UGX 10.2K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 UGX 990

$0.86 UGX 3,007

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.83 UGX 9,934

$1.35 UGX 4,729

$6.75 UGX 23.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 UGX 5,106

$1.38 UGX 4,828

$1.55 UGX 5,419

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

$8,862 UGX 31.1M

$8,181 UGX 28.7M

$9,544 UGX 33.5M

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

$8,768 UGX 30.7M

$8,350 UGX 29.3M

$10.4K UGX 36.6M

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

$40.40 UGX 141.7K

$22.45 UGX 78.7K

$67.3 UGX 236.0K

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

$14.21 UGX 49.8K

$8.51 UGX 29.8K

$28.35 UGX 99.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.7 UGX 191.7K

$33.16 UGX 116.3K

$138 UGX 484.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.28 UGX 141.2K

$21.02 UGX 73.7K

$67.3 UGX 235.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.32 UGX 22.2K

$2.72 UGX 9,553

$10.91 UGX 38.2K

Cinema Ticket

$6.18 UGX 21.7K

$4.67 UGX 16.4K

$12.36 UGX 43.3K

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

$138 UGX 482.6K

$84.1 UGX 294.7K

$280 UGX 982.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,037 UGX 14.2M

$1,695 UGX 5.9M

$7,064 UGX 24.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.63 UGX 58.3K

$8.51 UGX 29.8K

$22.69 UGX 79.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.33 UGX 50.2K

$8.39 UGX 29.4K

$25.16 UGX 88.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.27 UGX 134.2K

$19.60 UGX 68.7K

$56.0 UGX 196.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.28 UGX 162.2K

$20.79 UGX 72.9K

$83.1 UGX 291.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$332 UGX 1.2M

$138 UGX 482.5K

$688 UGX 2.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 UGX 673.8K

$111 UGX 389.0K

$416 UGX 1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$959 UGX 3.4M

$425 UGX 1.5M

$2,127 UGX 7.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$309 UGX 1.1M

$224 UGX 785.9K

$700 UGX 2.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,211 UGX 4.2M

$1,135 UGX 4.0M

$1,282 UGX 4.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,032 UGX 3.6M

$1,000 UGX 3.5M

$1,097 UGX 3.8M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$209 UGX 732.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.8

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

Last update: January 18, 2026

By City in Uganda

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bugiri	-						26.47	12.8
2	Busembatya	-	22	$415	$436	$984	$954	36.12	8.83
3	Busia	-		$88.4	$81.8	$171	$186	11.88	12.82
4	Bweyogerere	-	22	$365	$435	$885	$956	327.1	24.54
5	Entebbe	69958	29	$363	$585	$967	$1,235	75.31	24.54
6	Fort Portal	54275	20	$372	$405	$904	$909	100.65	19.24
7	Gulu	152276		$119	$133	$223	$248	137.42	15.51
8	Iganga	-	22	$403	$439	$1,051	$975	46.86	6.22
9	Jinja	72931	20	$321	$407	$715	$836	186.79	23.67
10	Kajansi	-	22	$378	$435	$1,032	$953	18.16	24.54
11	Kampala	1516210	38	$481	$744	$1,143	$1,499	135.28	46.34
12	Kamwenge	-						30.26	18.45
13	Kapchorwa	-	22	$432	$443	$907	$965	109.13	50.83
14	Kasese	101679		$213	$218	$431	$467	64.61	2.48
15	Kireka	-	27	$416	$549	$824	$919	148.2	38.01
16	Lira	99059	22	$381	$440	$810	$956	32.2	13.71
17	Lugazi	-	22	$435	$442	$934	$957	52.16	21.89
18	Masindi	94622	22	$424	$444	$914	$967	138.53	25.04
19	Mbarara	195013	27	$386	$541	$939	$1,199	150.59	15.89
20	Mpigi	-	22	$349	$429	$979	$968	269.6	14.5
21	Mukono	161996						213.96	36.41
22	Soroti	-	21	$405	$423	$834	$944	24.82	26.86
23	Tororo	-	22	$430	$432	$807	$985	45.53	9.41

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Uganda - Frequently Asked Questions

Uganda often offers a favorable balance of daily costs, outdoor adventures, and cultural access that suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In practice, long stays can feel affordable if you choose the right location and habits. Accommodation ranges from modest guesthouses to apartment options that fit different budgets, while meals from markets and casual eateries keep everyday food costs down. Transportation options – from public transit to ride-hailing – provide flexibility without breaking the bank. Reliable internet in major hubs supports remote work, while movement between cities can reshape your cost picture. In short, the Cost of Living in Uganda can be a strong value for many profiles. Tip: Build a flexible budget around your needs and use local services to stretch value.

Daily life in Uganda hinges on where you stay and how you move. Start your housing search by tapping local agents, online groups, and short-term sublets, then test a neighborhood for safety, water reliability, and access to groceries. When budgeting, consider the Uganda living cost differences across districts, as prices can shift with location and season. Food options range from bustling markets with fresh produce to casual eateries where you can try local staples without overspending. Transport is varied: bodas, taxis, and public buses offer flexibility, while co-working spaces in major towns support remote work. Errands are doable with a little planning. Tip: map a routine that minimizes backtracking to save time and money.

Quality of life hinges on the neighborhood pace, safety, and access to services that match your rhythm. Build a simple budgeting framework: essential expenses (housing, utilities, groceries), discretionary spending (eating out, activities), and a small emergency buffer. Practical saving tips include cooking at home, shopping at markets, and using public transit when feasible. Seasonality can affect travel plans and daily routines, so plan flexible itineraries and indoor options for wetter periods. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to markets, coworking spaces, green spaces, and a supportive community. Tip: set a monthly review to adjust plans as you learn the city.