Cost Of Living For a Family in Kampala 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Kampala

Average monthly spending for families in Kampala

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: UGX
1.5M 4.3M 28M
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$390 $1,100 $7,200

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Kampala?

Families in Kampala spend around 4.3M UGX per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1.5M UGX or as high as 28M UGX. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Kampala


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Kampala

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

2,600 UGX 5,200 UGX 8,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.66 $1.3 $2.2

Restaurant meal for one

9,100 UGX 14,000 UGX 27,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.5 $6.9

Fine dining meal for one

18,000 UGX 27,000 UGX 110,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.9 $28

Cappuccino or latte

2,200 UGX 3,500 UGX 5,200 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.55 $0.88 $1.3

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

1,700 UGX 2,100 UGX 2,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.53 $0.66

12 eggs

1,300 UGX 1,700 UGX 2,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.33 $0.44 $0.66

Fresh whole chicken

2,900 UGX 3,800 UGX 5,400 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $0.97 $1.4

Pack of beef

3,500 UGX 5,200 UGX 10,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $1.3 $2.6

Medium bag of rice

1,400 UGX 1,900 UGX 2,700 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.36 $0.49 $0.69

Bag of tomatos

520 UGX 690 UGX 1,300 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.13 $0.18 $0.33

Bag of apples

930 UGX 1,200 UGX 2,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.24 $0.31 $0.51
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Kampala


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

2,300 UGX 2,700 UGX 5,400 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.58 $0.69 $1.4

Average car full tank

13,000 UGX 17,000 UGX 35,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $4.4 $8.8

Average car 1-day rental

14,000 UGX 19,000 UGX 29,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $4.9 $7.3

Average car price

6.5M UGX 13M UGX 17M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,700 $3,300 $4,400

Bus ticket one way

480 UGX 710 UGX 1,400 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.12 $0.18 $0.36

Car Service

19,000 UGX 29,000 UGX 57,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.9 $7.3 $15
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Kampala


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

76,000 UGX 220,000 UGX 1.4M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $55 $360

Internet and cable

13,000 UGX 26,000 UGX 35,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $6.6 $8.8

Mobile phone charges

10,000 UGX 17,000 UGX 52,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.6 $4.4 $13

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

6,500 UGX 8,600 UGX 13,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.2 $3.3

One month gym membership

23,000 UGX 29,000 UGX 57,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.8 $7.3 $15
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Kampala


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

17,000 UGX 24,000 UGX 36,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $6.1 $9.1

Woman dress

16,000 UGX 22,000 UGX 71,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4 $5.6 $18

Woman shoes

15,000 UGX 20,000 UGX 48,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $5.2 $12

Men's shoes

13,000 UGX 16,000 UGX 32,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $4 $8.1

Men suit

14,000 UGX 18,000 UGX 95,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $4.6 $24

Regular t-shirt

7,100 UGX 9,500 UGX 29,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.4 $7.3
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Kampala


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

240,000 UGX 360,000 UGX 950,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$61 $91 $240

1-bedroom apartment

360,000 UGX 570,000 UGX 1.4M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$91 $150 $360

2-bedroom apartment

480,000 UGX 710,000 UGX 1.9M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $180 $490

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

48M UGX 71M UGX 140M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12,000 $18,000 $36,000

1-bedroom apartment

57M UGX 95M UGX 360M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $24,000 $91,000

2-bedroom apartment

95M UGX 290M UGX 570M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24,000 $73,000 $150,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Kampala


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

260,000 UGX 320,000 UGX 430,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$66 $83 $110

Double Bed

170,000 UGX 260,000 UGX 320,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $66 $83

Single Bed

150,000 UGX 200,000 UGX 260,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$39 $51 $66

Living Room

290,000 UGX 370,000 UGX 1.3M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$73 $94 $330

Dining Table

130,000 UGX 170,000 UGX 320,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $44 $83

Sofa or Couch

170,000 UGX 240,000 UGX 520,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $60 $130
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Kampala


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

170,000 UGX 260,000 UGX 520,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $66 $130

Fridge or Freezer

150,000 UGX 240,000 UGX 320,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$39 $60 $83

Washing Machine

200,000 UGX 290,000 UGX 520,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$51 $73 $130

Stove or Cooker

190,000 UGX 240,000 UGX 320,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47 $60 $83

Mobile Phone

220,000 UGX 260,000 UGX 370,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$55 $66 $94

Laptop or Computer

240,000 UGX 290,000 UGX 520,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $73 $130
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Kampala

Family expenditure to income ratio in Kampala

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Kampala

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

98%

91% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Kampala spend around 98% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 91% of their income while some as high as 110%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Kampala

How do families spend their money in Kampala?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost25%

25% of total expenses on average (20% to 35%)

LOW$120   490,000 UGX
AVERAGE$350   1.4M UGX
HIGH$2,300   9M UGX
Per Month

Families in Kampala typically spend from 20% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1.4M UGX with expenditure ranging from 490,000 UGX to 9M UGX. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)

LOW$19   76,000 UGX
AVERAGE$55   220,000 UGX
HIGH$360   1.4M UGX
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kampala ranges from 4% to 9% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 220,000 UGX with 76,000 UGX and 1.4M UGX being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW$39   150,000 UGX
AVERAGE$110   430,000 UGX
HIGH$720   2.8M UGX
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 150,000 UGX to 2.8M UGX in a month on commuting with 430,000 UGX being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 7%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost21%

21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)

LOW$70   270,000 UGX
AVERAGE$200   780,000 UGX
HIGH$1,300   5.1M UGX
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Kampala is 780,000 UGX. The cost of groceries can range between 270,000 UGX to 5.1M UGX. Families spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 27% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)

LOW$35   140,000 UGX
AVERAGE$110   430,000 UGX
HIGH$580   2.3M UGX
Per Month

Families in Kampala allocate 7% to 16% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 140,000 UGX to 2.3M UGX with 430,000 UGX being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$19   76,000 UGX
AVERAGE$55   220,000 UGX
HIGH$360   1.4M UGX
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 76,000 UGX to 1.4M UGX with 220,000 UGX being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW$54   210,000 UGX
AVERAGE$160   610,000 UGX
HIGH$1,000   4M UGX
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 610,000 UGX per month with 210,000 UGX being the minimum spent amount and 4M UGX being the maximum.

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW$31   120,000 UGX
AVERAGE$89   350,000 UGX
HIGH$580   2.3M UGX
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Kampala

What percentage of families in Kampala are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
54%
Not Saving
46%

Almost 54% of surveyed families in Kampala said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 46% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Kampala

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

8.7% 16% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

480,000 UGX
$120
1.4M UGX
$350
8.9M UGX
$2,300
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%40%
10% - 20%30%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%4%
40% - 50%4%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 8.7% to 29% of their monthly income to their savings, with 16% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 1.4M UGX with 480,000 UGX and 8.9M UGX being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Kampala

Saving Challenges in Kampala

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Kampala. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans13%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending12%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later21%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Kampala

Typical saving choices for families in Kampala

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold13%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings21%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Kampala

Affordable living in Kampala

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Kampala?


Yes
58%
No
43%

Around 58% of surveyed families think that living in Kampala is affordable with proper budgeting while 43% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Kampala

Low-cost alternatives in Kampala

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the families living in Kampala have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Kampala whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes56%

No44%


Based on the survey, 44% of the families living in Kampala said that they don't have an emergency fund while 56% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Kampala

Financial Literacy in Uganda

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy48%


We asked family guardians and parents in Kampala whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 52% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 48% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of Uganda have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 46% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 54% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance46%

Easily manages finances54%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Kampala

Financial goals of families in Kampala

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Kampala, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction44%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing6%
Travel or Lifestyle6%
Healthcare Expenses14%
Financial Independence4%

Around 8% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 44% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Kampala

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Kampala


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
32%
Debt Free
69%

According to the survey, 32% of the families in Kampala have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 69% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Kampala

Debt-to-income ratio in Kampala

Debt to income ratio

34%

25% to 43%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 34% of a family's monthly income in Kampala goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%19%
40% - 50%15%
30% - 40%17%
20% - 30%10%
10% - 20%11%
0% - 10%25%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Kampala pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Kampala

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage8%
Auto Loan14%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card30%
Personal Loan44%

8% of debtors in Kampala confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Kampala.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Kampala

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Kampala how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never50%
Once a year24%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Kampala

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kampala

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Kampala

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

240,000 UGX 360,000 UGX 950,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$61 $91 $240

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

360,000 UGX 570,000 UGX 1.4M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$91 $150 $360

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

480,000 UGX 710,000 UGX 1.9M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $180 $490

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

570,000 UGX 950,000 UGX 2.6M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $240 $660

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

1.1M UGX 2.9M UGX 5.7M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$290 $730 $1,500

Townhouse monthly rent cost

950,000 UGX 1.4M UGX 4.1M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $360 $1,000

House monthly rent cost

1.1M UGX 2.9M UGX 5.7M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$290 $730 $1,500

Villa monthly rent cost

1.4M UGX 3.6M UGX 5.7M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $910 $1,500

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kampala ranges between 240,000 UGX and 950,000 UGX, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 360,000 UGX to 1.4M UGX. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 480,000 UGX and 1.9M UGX per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 570,000 UGX to 2.6M UGX. The average rent of a townhouse in Kampala is around 1.4M UGX while house rental costs can be as high as 2.9M UGX per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 1.4M UGX to 5.7M UGX per month.



Apartment and house prices in Kampala

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

48M UGX 71M UGX 140M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12,000 $18,000 $36,000

1-bedroom apartment price

57M UGX 95M UGX 360M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $24,000 $91,000

2-bedroom apartment price

95M UGX 290M UGX 570M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24,000 $73,000 $150,000

3-bedroom apartment price

320M UGX 480M UGX 1,400M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$81,000 $120,000 $360,000

Townhouse price

410M UGX 950M UGX 3,600M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $240,000 $910,000

House price

480M UGX 2,900M UGX 4,100M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120,000 $730,000 $1M

Villa price

570M UGX 3,200M UGX 4,800M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $810,000 $1.2M

The average price of a studio apartment in Kampala can range from 48M UGX to 140M UGX depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 57M UGX to 360M UGX. A villa can cost you 3,200M UGX on average with prices ranging from 570M UGX to 4,800M UGX.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kampala will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


35 x98 monthly income 210
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Kampala can be x98 to x210 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x98 multiples of the average monthly salary in Kampala.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 32% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Kampala is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
29%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.8%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


4,300 UGX 56,000 UGX 560,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Kampala

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kampala

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

76,000 UGX 220,000 UGX 1.4M UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $55 $360

Internet and cable cost

13,000 UGX 26,000 UGX 35,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $6.6 $8.8

Mobile phone bill and charges

10,000 UGX 17,000 UGX 52,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.6 $4.4 $13

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 220,000 UGX. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 13,000 UGX to 35,000 UGX with 26,000 UGX being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 17,000 UGX but can range between 10,000 UGX and 52,000 UGX depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


3.3% 6.5% of income 11%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Kampala is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.3% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kampala

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Kampala

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

2,600 UGX 5,200 UGX 8,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.66 $1.3 $2.2

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kampala is approximatly 5,200 UGX with meal cost ranging from 2,600 UGX to 8,600 UGX. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

9,100 UGX 14,000 UGX 27,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.5 $6.9

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 9,100 UGX and 27,000 UGX with 14,000 UGX being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kampala.

Fine dining meal for one price

18,000 UGX 27,000 UGX 110,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.9 $28

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 18,000 UGX to 110,000 UGX with the average cost being 27,000 UGX for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kampala.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

2,200 UGX 3,500 UGX 5,200 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.55 $0.88 $1.3

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kampala is around 3,500 UGX. Price ranges between 2,200 UGX and 5,200 UGX depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

1,700 UGX 2,100 UGX 2,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.53 $0.66

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Kampala is 2,100 UGX. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 2,600 UGX and the minimum being 1,700 UGX depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

1,300 UGX 1,700 UGX 2,600 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.33 $0.44 $0.66

A dozen eggs costs around 1,700 UGX on average with 1,300 UGX and 2,600 UGX being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

2,900 UGX 3,800 UGX 5,400 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $0.97 $1.4

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kampala is between 2,900 UGX and 5,400 UGX depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 3,800 UGX.

Pack of beef price

3,500 UGX 5,200 UGX 10,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $1.3 $2.6

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 5,200 UGX. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

1,400 UGX 1,900 UGX 2,700 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.36 $0.49 $0.69

A bag of rice in Kampala costs around 1,900 UGX on average with prices rangeing between 1,400 UGX and 2,700 UGX depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

520 UGX 690 UGX 1,300 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.13 $0.18 $0.33

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 520 UGX to 1,300 UGX. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

930 UGX 1,200 UGX 2,000 UGX
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.24 $0.31 $0.51

A bag of apples costs 1,200 UGX on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


21% 29% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kampala is around 29%. This means that families spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 36% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 270,000 UGX to 5.1M UGX with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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