Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dharan and Kathmandu

For one person, living is cheaper in Dharan: $58.8 a month against $488 in Kathmandu, rent and utilities included – about $5,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

23

Cost of Living Index in Kathmandu
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Kathmandu Living Index

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Dharan

🇳🇵 Nepal

$58.8

/mo nomad

Kathmandu

🇳🇵 Nepal

$488

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dharan and in Kathmandu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dharan and in Kathmandu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $59 per month in Dharan vs $488 in Kathmandu, rent included.

Dharan $59
Kathmandu $488

A couple spends around $93 per month in Dharan vs $783 in Kathmandu, rent included.

Dharan $93
Kathmandu $783

A family of three spends $127 per month in Dharan vs $1,077 in Kathmandu, rent included.

Dharan $127
Kathmandu $1,077

Dharan is about 88% cheaper than Kathmandu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Dharan and Kathmandu are more affordable than the global median – Dharan 96% lower, Kathmandu 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.01 NPR 305

$1.92 NPR 292

4.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.72 NPR 3,154

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.02 NPR 1,068

Cappuccino

$1.65 NPR 252

$1.56 NPR 237

5.77%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 NPR 56.9

$0.51 NPR 78.4

-27.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.14 NPR 20.95

$0.14 NPR 20.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.11 NPR 473

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 NPR 505

Milk (1 liter)

$0.77 NPR 118

White Bread (500g)

$0.42 NPR 63.7

$0.62 NPR 94.1

-32.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.92 NPR 140

Eggs

$1.74 NPR 265

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.51 NPR 1,144

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.58 NPR 392

$3.10 NPR 472

-16.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.99 NPR 911

Apples (1kg)

$2.08 NPR 317

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 NPR 182

Oranges (1kg)

$1.44 NPR 220

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 NPR 89.5

Potato (1kg)

$0.39 NPR 59.0

Onion (1kg)

$0.54 NPR 82.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.49 NPR 75.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.22 NPR 33.28

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.46 NPR 374

Wine (Bottle)

$7.97 NPR 1,212

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 NPR 350

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 NPR 459

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 NPR 26.33

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.75 NPR 1,485

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 NPR 273

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.16 NPR 176

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.33 NPR 507

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 NPR 174

$1.39 NPR 211

-17.99%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.7K NPR 5.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$35.9K NPR 5.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$31.31 NPR 4,765

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$3.58 NPR 546

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.30 NPR 1,415

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.50 NPR 3,729

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.97 NPR 1,061

Cinema Ticket

$1.93 NPR 294

$2.94 NPR 447

-34.35%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$66.9 NPR 10.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,521 NPR 840.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.85 NPR 3,630

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 NPR 4,074

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$62.6 NPR 9,534

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.36 NPR 4,469

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$217 NPR 33.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$104 NPR 15.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 NPR 65.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 NPR 30.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,336 NPR 355.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,330 NPR 202.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$268 NPR 40.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.98

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dharan: October 25, 2026

Last update for Kathmandu: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Groceries & Markets

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$147 30.2%

Accommodation & Living

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$104 21.4%

Eating Out

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$80 16.4%

Clothing & Footwear

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$64 13.2%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$44 9.1%

Sport & Entertainment

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$30 6.2%

Getting Around

Dharan

–

Kathmandu

$18 3.7%

Good to know

🇳🇵 Dharan

🇳🇵 Kathmandu

🕒 Local time

02:12 2:12 AM

Same time as Dharan

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

173,096

975,000 Capital

💱 Currency

Nepalese Rupee NPR रु

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 NPR = 6.57 USD

1,000 NPR = 5.9 EUR

1,000 NPR = 6.57 USD

1,000 NPR = 5.9 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Dharan Kathmandu 220 km

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Dharan
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City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Dharan vs Kathmandu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kathmandu costs about 730% more than Dharan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $88 per month in Dharan and $732 in Kathmandu. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $59 in Dharan and $488 in Kathmandu. That makes Dharan about 88% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 763% more in Kathmandu, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $59 in Dharan and $488 in Kathmandu, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Kathmandu has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $59 in Dharan to $488 in Kathmandu. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.