Kampala vs Addis Ababa

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Kampala is roughly 9% more affordable than Addis Ababa (index 16 vs 18, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Kampala
More affordable overall
9% cheaper than Addis Ababa · Cost index: 16 vs 18

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

16Cost Index18
425Median Income /mo390
55Safety Index48
20Income Tax %10
28Internet (Mbps)12
160Coworking /mo150

Price Breakdown

KampalaCategoryAddis Ababa
$395/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
12% cheaper →
$450/month
$0.75/liter
Meal for One
40% ← cheaper
$0.45/liter
$2.6/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
26% cheaper →
$3.5/meal
$41/month
Monthly Transit Pass
52% ← cheaper
$19.5/month
$35/month
Utilities (Monthly)
61% ← cheaper
$13.5/month
$50/visit
Doctor Visit
69% ← cheaper
$15.5/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Kampala

Internet28 Mbps
Coworking$160/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability65/100

Addis Ababa

Internet12 Mbps
Coworking$150/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishmoderate
Communitysmall
Walkability55/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kampala cheaper than Addis Ababa?

Kampala is cheaper than Addis Ababa. Kampala has a cost of living index of 16/100 compared to 18/100 for Addis Ababa (New York = 100), making it roughly 9% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Kampala than Addis Ababa?

Kampala is approximately 9% cheaper than Addis Ababa based on cost index scores (16 vs 18, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Addis Ababa could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,719/month in Kampala.

What is the rent comparison between Kampala and Addis Ababa?

In Kampala, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $395/month. In Addis Ababa, the equivalent is around $450/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Kampala or Addis Ababa?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Kampala offers 28 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$160/month. Addis Ababa offers 12 Mbps and coworking at ~$150/month. Kampala has a cost advantage of 9%.

What is the average income in Kampala vs Addis Ababa?

The median net monthly salary in Kampala is approximately $425 USD, compared to $390 USD in Addis Ababa.

Compare Kampala with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Kampala wins or loses.

Cities that cost about the same as Kampala

Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed