Jinja, a vibrant city in Uganda, is known for its rich culture and proximity to the source of the Nile River. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Jinja, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $1.91 on average, with a range between $1.36 and $3.27.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $11.72, with prices ranging from $11.72 to $54.51.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.09, with a range between $4.09 and $10.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.82 to $3.27, imported beer $1.91 to $4.91, cappuccino $1.09 to $4.09, and Coke/Pepsi $0.27 to $0.82.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.41 and $1.09 per liter, averaging $0.68.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.68 and $2, with an average price of $1.23.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.31 to $3.82, averaging $1.87.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.36 to $4.09 per kg, while oranges range from $0.82 to $4.09 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.68 and $2.73 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.41 to $1.64 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - Currently, there is no available data for the cost of a one-way local transport ticket.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.36 and $1.69 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.27, with a cost of $0.27 to $0.55 per km and $1.36 to $8.18 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $177.17.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $136.28.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $490.62.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $408.85.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $21.81 and $65.42, averaging $41.26.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $32.71 to $136.28, with an average cost of $70.87.
Worldwide
Uganda

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Uganda are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Uganda, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$1.91
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$11.72
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.09
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.36
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.74
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.68
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.23
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.87
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.62
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$10.90
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.79
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.79
Apples (1kg)
$2.73
Oranges (1kg)
$1.84
Potato (1kg)
$1.48
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.38
Tomato (1kg)
$1.55
Banana (1kg)
$1.51
Onion (1kg)
$0.55
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$4.10
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$0.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$8,858.44
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.55
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.27
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.77
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$8,967.47
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$177.17
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$136.28
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$490.62
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$408.85
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$41.26
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$70.87
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$15.24
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$0.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$6.81
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.17
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$13.29
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$33.31
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$50.27
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
22%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$126.59
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$4,361.08
Jinja Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Jinja offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable dining and housing options.

While transportation costs are minimal, the lack of public transport data suggests reliance on taxis or personal vehicles.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, making Jinja an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jinja presents an affordable living environment with low housing and dining costs.

Potential residents should consider the limited public transport options and plan accordingly for personal transportation needs.

Overall, Jinja is a cost-effective choice for those looking to experience life in Uganda without breaking the bank.