Cost Of Living For a Student in Kampala 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: UGX
Average monthly spending for students in Kampala
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Kampala?
Students in Kampala spend around 1.4M UGX per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 220,000 UGX or as high as 9.6M UGX. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kampala
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 2,600 UGX | 5,200 UGX | 8,600 UGX |
Restaurant meal for one
| 9,100 UGX | 14,000 UGX | 27,000 UGX |
Fine dining meal for one
| 18,000 UGX | 27,000 UGX | 110,000 UGX |
Cappuccino or latte
| 2,200 UGX | 3,500 UGX | 5,200 UGX |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 1,700 UGX | 2,100 UGX | 2,600 UGX |
12 eggs
| 1,300 UGX | 1,700 UGX | 2,600 UGX |
Fresh whole chicken
| 2,900 UGX | 3,800 UGX | 5,400 UGX |
Pack of beef
| 3,500 UGX | 5,200 UGX | 10,000 UGX |
Medium bag of rice
| 1,400 UGX | 1,900 UGX | 2,700 UGX |
Bag of tomatos
| 520 UGX | 690 UGX | 1,300 UGX |
Bag of apples
| 930 UGX | 1,200 UGX | 2,000 UGX |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 2,300 UGX | 2,700 UGX | 5,400 UGX |
Average car full tank
| 13,000 UGX | 17,000 UGX | 35,000 UGX |
Average car 1-day rental
| 14,000 UGX | 19,000 UGX | 29,000 UGX |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
| 480 UGX | 710 UGX | 1,400 UGX |
Car Service
| 19,000 UGX | 29,000 UGX | 57,000 UGX |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 8,700 UGX | 58,000 UGX | 380,000 UGX |
Internet and cable
| 13,000 UGX | 26,000 UGX | 35,000 UGX |
Mobile phone charges
| 10,000 UGX | 17,000 UGX | 52,000 UGX |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 6,500 UGX | 8,600 UGX | 13,000 UGX |
One month gym membership
| 23,000 UGX | 29,000 UGX | 57,000 UGX |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 17,000 UGX | 24,000 UGX | 36,000 UGX |
Woman dress
| 16,000 UGX | 22,000 UGX | 71,000 UGX |
Woman shoes
| 15,000 UGX | 20,000 UGX | 48,000 UGX |
Men's shoes
| 13,000 UGX | 16,000 UGX | 32,000 UGX |
Men suit
| 14,000 UGX | 18,000 UGX | 95,000 UGX |
Regular t-shirt
| 7,100 UGX | 9,500 UGX | 29,000 UGX |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 240,000 UGX | 360,000 UGX | 950,000 UGX |
1-bedroom apartment
| 360,000 UGX | 570,000 UGX | 1.4M UGX |
2-bedroom apartment
| 480,000 UGX | 710,000 UGX | 1.9M UGX |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 95M UGX | 290M UGX | 570M UGX |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 260,000 UGX | 320,000 UGX | 430,000 UGX |
Double Bed
| 170,000 UGX | 260,000 UGX | 320,000 UGX |
Single Bed
| 150,000 UGX | 200,000 UGX | 260,000 UGX |
Living Room
| 290,000 UGX | 370,000 UGX | 1.3M UGX |
Dining Table
| 130,000 UGX | 170,000 UGX | 320,000 UGX |
Sofa or Couch
| 170,000 UGX | 240,000 UGX | 520,000 UGX |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 170,000 UGX | 260,000 UGX | 520,000 UGX |
Fridge or Freezer
| 150,000 UGX | 240,000 UGX | 320,000 UGX |
Washing Machine
| 200,000 UGX | 290,000 UGX | 520,000 UGX |
Stove or Cooker
| 190,000 UGX | 240,000 UGX | 320,000 UGX |
Mobile Phone
| 220,000 UGX | 260,000 UGX | 370,000 UGX |
Laptop or Computer
| 240,000 UGX | 290,000 UGX | 520,000 UGX |
How do students spend their money in Kampala?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $13 52,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $88 350,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $590 2.3M UGX |
| Per Month |
Students in Kampala typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 350,000 UGX with expenditure ranging from 52,000 UGX to 2.3M UGX. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.2 8,700 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $15 58,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $98 380,000 UGX |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kampala ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 58,000 UGX with 8,700 UGX and 380,000 UGX being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.9 15,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $26 100,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $170 670,000 UGX |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 15,000 UGX to 670,000 UGX in a month on commuting with 100,000 UGX being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $11 43,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $74 290,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $490 1.9M UGX |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Kampala is 290,000 UGX. The cost of groceries can range between 43,000 UGX to 1.9M UGX. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.3 13,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $22 86,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $150 580,000 UGX |
| Per Month |
Students in Kampala allocate 6% to 12% 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 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 13,000 UGX to 580,000 UGX with 86,000 UGX being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.8 11,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $18 72,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $120 480,000 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 11,000 UGX to 480,000 UGX with 72,000 UGX being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $11 41,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $70 270,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $470 1.8M UGX |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 270,000 UGX per month with 41,000 UGX being the minimum spent amount and 1.8M UGX being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $8.3 33,000 UGX |
| AVERAGE | $55 220,000 UGX |
| HIGH | $370 1.4M UGX |
| Per Month |
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.
Affordable living in Kampala
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kampala?
Around 58% of surveyed students 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.
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 students 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 students 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 Students
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 students of Kampala whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes56%
No44%
Based on the survey, 44% of the students living in Kampala said that they don't have an emergency fund while 56% said that they do.
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 student 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 students 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%
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 |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 360,000 UGX | 570,000 UGX | 1.4M UGX |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 480,000 UGX | 710,000 UGX | 1.9M UGX |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 570,000 UGX | 950,000 UGX | 2.6M UGX |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 1.1M UGX | 2.9M UGX | 5.7M UGX |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 950,000 UGX | 1.4M UGX | 4.1M UGX |
House monthly rent cost
| 1.1M UGX | 2.9M UGX | 5.7M UGX |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 1.4M UGX | 3.6M UGX | 5.7M UGX |
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
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 95M UGX | 290M UGX | 570M UGX |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 320M UGX | 480M UGX | 1,400M UGX |
| $81,000 | $120,000 | $360,000 |
Townhouse price
| 410M UGX | 950M UGX | 3,600M UGX |
| $100,000 | $240,000 | $910,000 |
House price
| 480M UGX | 2,900M UGX | 4,100M UGX |
Villa price
| 570M UGX | 3,200M UGX | 4,800M UGX |
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 |
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
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.
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 |
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 / Student
| 8,700 UGX | 58,000 UGX | 380,000 UGX |
Internet and cable cost
| 13,000 UGX | 26,000 UGX | 35,000 UGX |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 10,000 UGX | 17,000 UGX | 52,000 UGX |
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 students is around 58,000 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
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kampala is around 29%. This means that students 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 students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 43,000 UGX to 1.9M UGX with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
