The Commute Conundrum – To Live Near or Far from Work?

Let me take you back to a conversation I overheard between two Taxi commuters in Kampala not long ago. Two passengers, clearly regulars on the route, were swapping war stories of traffic, transport costs, and landlords.

One said, “Eh, I pay Shs300,000 rent in Seeta, but every day I lose two hours and 20k in transport.” The other replied, “Me, I stay in Ntinda, rent is Shs600,000, but I walk to work, and I reach home before the sun even thinks of setting.”

Right there, in that cramped taxi, was the soul of this week’s question: Is it better to live close to your workplace and pay higher rent, or stay further away and deal with the cost—and chaos—of the daily commute?

At first glance, it feels like you’re spending more when you live close to work. Rent in town is rarely friendly. Whether it’s Kololo, Ntinda, Naguru, or even the “budget” side of Bukoto, a decent one-bedroom will likely set you back between Shs600,000 and Shs1.2 million.

That’s a heavy monthly bill, especially if your salary doesn’t come with commas. But the twist in this plot is that the hidden savings might just make it worthwhile.

Imagine you work along Kampala Road but stay in Mukono. Every day you spend 10k to town, another 10k back. That’s 20k daily. In a five-day workweek, you’re already at 100k. By month’s end, you’ve poured 400k into transport—and that’s on a good month with no rainy-day surge pricing or surprise taxi fare hikes.

Add to that the time—two hours a day in traffic. That’s 10 hours a week, 40 hours a month. That’s an entire workweek lost to honking, fumes, and the back of someone’s head in a jam-packed taxi.

Now picture someone who lives near their office in Kololo, just a fifteen-minute walk from home. They wake up a little later, take a brisk stroll, and arrive fresh and on time. No boda drama. No stress. No dust.

They save on fuel, save on transport, and—get this—they even save on lunch because their go-to food spot is just around the corner, not some overcharged food court in a random arcade.

By 6pm, they’re back home with energy to hit the gym, read a book, or hustle some more. It’s not just a location—it's a lifestyle shift.

But let’s not throw the outskirts under the bus just yet. There’s a reason why many people are choosing areas like Kira, Kyaliwajjala, Nansana, and Mukono.

Rent is far more forgiving. With 300k, you can score a clean two-bedroom house with space to breathe. The air is fresh. The kids have room to run. You can raise chickens without your landlord breathing down your neck. And for a growing family, that space is not a luxury—it’s oxygen.

If you’re married with two kids, that house in Gayaza at 400k might make more sense than a shoebox apartment in Bugolobi for 900k. Add to that the possibility of finding a decent school just down the road at a quarter of the fees charged in town. Plus, many of these areas are getting connected—better roads, fiber internet, and yes, even working streetlights.

But there’s always the tradeoff. For those in far-off zones, your daily commute becomes a kind of tax. Time tax. Energy tax. Sometimes, health tax. Let’s crunch the numbers, just for fun.

Picture Alice and Bosco.

Alice lives in Ntinda. Her rent is 800k. She walks to work every day to her job in Kololo. Transport cost? Zero. She’s home early, relaxed, and even sells pastries online in the evening. Total monthly cost of living and commuting? 800k.

Bosco lives in Gayaza. His rent is 400k. But each day, he spends 20k on transport. That’s 400k a month. His total cost? 800k too.

So far, they’re neck and neck. But now factor in time. Bosco spends two hours a day in traffic—that’s 40 hours a month. If he had those hours free, maybe he’d start that side gig he’s always dreaming about. Maybe he’d have time to pursue a diploma, start trading online, or do gigs as a DJ.

For Alice, those hours are already hers. And time, we both know, is more loyal than money.

Alice also saves on food delivery—her office and her favorite lunch spot are in the same neighborhood. She doesn’t have to top up her Yaka every three days because town apartments have decent wiring. Bosco, on the other hand, sometimes has to wait for water delivery on Sundays and hustle for a boda during rainstorms. It’s not just rent and transport—there are hidden costs tucked everywhere.

Still, Bosco might be playing the long game. Maybe he’s building on a plot nearby. Maybe he’s saving that rent difference over time to buy his own land. Maybe the slower lifestyle helps his mental health and keeps him grounded. For someone raising a family or thinking 10 years ahead, the current hustle might just be worth it.

The deeper truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on who you are, what season of life you’re in, and what matters to you most.

If your goal is to minimize expenses while maximizing your time and energy, staying close to work is a strong move—especially if you're young, single, or chasing aggressive financial or personal goals.

But if your vision is bigger than your current salary, and you’re laying bricks for a long-term foundation, then braving the commute might be your path to freedom.

Whatever you choose, don’t just look at rent and say, “Eh, this one is cheaper.” Look at your life holistically. Ask: What’s the real cost of my choices? Am I buying space or wasting time? Am I trading comfort today for peace of mind tomorrow—or vice versa?

Kampala won’t change its traffic for you. Boda guys won’t suddenly become cheaper. But you? You can make smart, intentional moves that save you not just money, but sanity. The city is a beast, but if you understand its rhythm, you’ll learn how to dance with it without losing your footing.

Whether you live in the heart of the city or the edge of the map, make sure your home gives more than it takes. And remember: your commute should not cost you your life.

See you next week—hopefully not in jam.

Jonan Kandwanaho is the president of the Money Lenders Association of Uganda