Cost of Living in Kampala, Uganda

Updated:

NovoExpat

Are you considering a move to Kampala, Uganda, and wondering about the cost of living? Kampala is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Kampala and help you understand whether $1175 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $196.78.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries

Kampala, Uganda

restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

2.62 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

31.48 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

8.92 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.18 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.49 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.78 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.43 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.33 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.77 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.18 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.28 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.69 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

3.24 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

4.82 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

4.44 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.73 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.3 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.68 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.21 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.0 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.3 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.96 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.53 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

9.84 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.15 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.99 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

2.49 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.79 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

44.6 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.05 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.33 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

2.62 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.52 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

11806.85 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

8543.56 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

60.28 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

81.18 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

55.39 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

13.1 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

5.9 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

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

170.54 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

4706.81 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

18.11 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

22.01 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

39.06 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

61.15 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

335.26 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

186.29 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

824.61 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

391.38 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

1238.21 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

5739.44 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

196.78 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

20.04 %

Cost of Living in Kampala, Uganda Overview

Welcome! Here’s a guide to understanding the typical costs of living in Kampala, Uganda , from dining out and groceries to housing and utilities. Use this overview to help plan your budget and make informed decisions about living expenses.

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 2.62 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 31.48 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 0.77 USD, a loaf of bread 1.18 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.69 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.79 USD and a monthly pass around 44.6 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 60.28 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 55.39 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 13.1 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 170.54 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 4706.81 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 18.11 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 39.06 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 335.26 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 186.29 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 1238.21 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 5739.44 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 196.78 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 20.04% annually.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Kampala, Uganda

What is the monthly cost of living in Kampala?

The monthly expenses for living in Kampala come to a total of approximately $1175. This includes an average monthly rent of around $335 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $100 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $375 per month.

How affordable is living in Kampala?

Living in Kampala appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $196.78. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Kampala, you would likely need an income exceeding $196.78.

What is the average salary in Kampala?

In Kampala, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $196.78, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Kampala?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Kampala is approximately $335. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $186.29 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Kampala?

The expense for groceries in Kampala can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $285 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Uganda?

The cost of living in Uganda can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Uganda.

Kampala, Uganda

What about weather in Kampala, Uganda ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 80°F 82°F 81°F 79°F 78°F 78°F 77°F 78°F 78°F 79°F 79°F 79°F
Temp 72°F 73°F 73°F 72°F 71°F 70°F 69°F 69°F 70°F 70°F 71°F 71°F
Low 64°F 65°F 65°F 66°F 65°F 64°F 62°F 62°F 62°F 63°F 64°F 64°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 26°C 27°C 27°C 26°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 26°C 26°C 26°C
Temp 22°C 22°C 22°C 22°C 21°C 21°C 20°C 20°C 21°C 21°C 21°C 21°C
Low 17°C 18°C 18°C 18°C 18°C 17°C 16°C 16°C 16°C 17°C 17°C 17°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Uganda with Kampala

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries