Cost of living in Kampala (Uganda) is 34% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Lusaka or in Kampala? You can help!
Improve the prices for Lusaka! Improve the prices for Kampala!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 38 prices entered by 29 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kampala (Uganda) is 5% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 16,316 Shilling (85 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25,634 Shilling (133 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 97% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10,819 Shilling (56 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,938 Shilling (15 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 6,442 Shilling (33 Kwacha) | 25 Kwacha | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4,421 Shilling (23 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 10,274 Shilling (53 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,663 Shilling (55 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,009 Shilling (21 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4,136 Shilling (21 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32,743 Shilling (170 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,727 Shilling (25 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2,758 Shilling (14 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | - 3% | |
| Housing | + 55% | |||
| Housing in Kampala (Uganda) is 55% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,258,970 Shilling (22,087 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,422,110 Shilling (7,375 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | - 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 294,240 Shilling (1,526 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 179% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,911,300 Shilling (9,912 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 770,459 Shilling (3,996 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 261,764 Shilling (1,357 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 222% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 143,937 Shilling (746 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 91% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,494,900 Shilling (7,752 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 643,554 Shilling (3,337 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | + 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 24,682 Shilling (128 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 80% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 76,116 Shilling (395 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 602% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Kampala (Uganda) is 13% cheaper than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 65,735 Shilling (341 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | - 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 91,369 Shilling (474 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 135,061 Shilling (700 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 173,471 Shilling (900 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in Kampala (Uganda) is 13% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 34,086,900 Shilling (176,773 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4,743 Shilling (25 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 110,065 Shilling (571 Kwacha) | 425 Kwacha | + 34% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 34,460 Shilling (179 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | + 1% | |
| Personal Care | + 58% | |||
| Personal Care in Kampala (Uganda) is 58% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 14,028 Shilling (73 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 18,697 Shilling (97 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 52,689 Shilling (273 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 17,408 Shilling (90 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 76% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15,830 Shilling (82 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 102% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 19,958 Shilling (104 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 153% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6,943 Shilling (36 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 5,595 Shilling (29 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 23,601 Shilling (122 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | - 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 104% | |||
| Entertainment in Kampala (Uganda) is 104% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kampala | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 67,687 Shilling (351 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 41,143 Shilling (213 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 96,904 Shilling (503 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 36% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 98,316 Shilling (510 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 17,926 Shilling (93 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 103% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 9,568 Shilling (50 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 70% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4,359 Shilling (23 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,117,940 Shilling (16,169 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 242% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 496 Shilling (2.57 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | + 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 339,487 Shilling (1,761 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | + 142% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 15,786 Shilling (82 Kwacha) | 32 Kwacha | + 153% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 34% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 38 prices entered by 29 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00519
ZMW
/
UGX
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Barcelona is 144% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Orlando, Florida is 37% cheaper than in Miami, Florida
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 46% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in New York City is 23% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Houston, Texas is 39% cheaper than in Miami, Florida
- Cost of living in Valencia is 115% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Dubai is 25% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in London is 23% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in Madrid is 144% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Charlotte Amalie is 33% more expensive than in Bakersfield, California
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least 49,690 Kwacha (9,581,603 Shilling) in Kampala to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 37,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
Do you live in Lusaka? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pretoria (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Amman (Jordan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Doha (Qatar)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johannesburg (South Africa)
Prices recently added
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania costs $13 (16 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Francisco, California costs $20 (36 minutes ago)
- 500 ml beer in neighbourhood pub in Havana costs 2.00 CUC (42 minutes ago)
- 500 g of boneless chicken breast in Khartoum costs 3,000 Pound (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Punta Arenas costs CH$1,300 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Buenos Aires costs ARS $100,000 (about 2 hours ago)