How Much Does It Cost to Live In Kampala?
Uganda is a country which is attractive to foreigners due to low living costs and the city that is the best to choose when coming is definitely Kampala since it is the capital city where most of the activities happen.
Kampala is a place which has to offer the easy and fast commuting options, as getting from work to home can be tiring, low food and utilities prices for those earning wages abroad and not so great living conditions for its residents who earn below the average.
Uganda : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Kampala is a place full of various eating places where you can enjoy both international and domestic cuisine, but be ready to pay more for foreign meals.
Dining out is neither too cheap, nor too expensive as a decent meal for 2 at one of the least expensive restaurants in Kampala costs about $7.
MARKETS
The greatest advice here is that if you know, you should definitely prepare your food.
Cooking is less expensive than eating out and your budget will have great benefits from it.
There is a variety of locations to buy groceries, but bear in mind that imported goods can be quite expensive.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting around Kampala can be expensive because the price of gasoline is pretty high, but there are other alternatives for moving around the city, either walking, riding a bike or a motorcycle, or simply using the public transport which is currently the fastest way of commuting.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
In case you prefer to maintain your expenses low, you should avoid having the Internet access.
It is such an expensive utility as its price is twice as high as all the other basic services such as water, heating, power and garbage.
However, one’s earning usually determines whether to have the Internet access or not.
SPORTS & LEISURE
After a long day at work, it is worth trying out entertainment hubs around Kampala.
No matter if you choose sports activities or movies, they could have calming effect on you.
People on a limited budget should think about the price of fitness clubs as too pricey, while tennis court rent is considered affordable.
CLOTHING & SHOES
How high salary one earns a month determines whether he/she will be able to afford buying designer clothes in Kampala.
A person with a decent income will find apparel prices affordable, as they are quite lower than in Europe or the USA.
RENT PER MONTH
The first and foremost you need to find accommodation once you arrive in Kampala, and bear in mind that this will be one of the greatest expenses here.
In general, prices are not high and they range from $150 to $1,000 each month.
However, people here are on a very low budget, and cannot afford luxurious accommodation.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Kampala
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.61 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.09 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.31 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.77 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.81 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.59 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.55 |
| Monthly Pass | $29.70 |
| Gasoline | $1.09 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $40.83 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $84.01 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $56.16 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $6.83 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.46 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $20.49 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $23.50 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $41.66 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $267.14 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $140.02 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $873.70 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Kampala?
One way of saving some money in Kampala is avoiding driving in case you already have your private car.
That way you will get around more efficiently at a much lower costs.
If you are a restaurant lover, maybe it would be wise not to dine out regularly, or visit less expensive restaurants in Kampala, as food will take you the most money, even if you prepare it at home.
It is interesting to notice that more than 10% of the monthly salary is given for entertainment and sports, which is not frequent in countries where the financial power is not so high.
Average Costs Breakdown
Kampala: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
If you have decided that you are setting off to live in Kampala, do not get confused to see that it is not as cheap as you might have thought it will be.
The only way of maintaining a similar lifestyle here is possible if your salary comes from your home country.
In fact, some people in Kampala have such a low income that they would not be able to afford a bottle of milk after the whole month of working.
Buying property here is also expensive, due to the high mortgage interest rates.
You are right but the more you get yourself comfortable and familiar with the place, the cheaper it becomes, I agree with the 10% or even more on entertainment, that’s something every ugandan is accustomed to, Ugandans love partying, they love anything that Will bring some sort of excitement to them.. sports, cinema, clubs….Ugandan is the best country I have ever lived in
Having spent 3 weeks in Kampala I found it to be worst place that i have been the roads and the traffic congestion was beyond belief the locals are ready to rip you off at every oppertunity It is a olace that i was very glad to leave