Cost of Living Comparison Between Kathmandu and Setif Cost of Living Comparison Between Kathmandu and Setif

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $499 in Kathmandu versus $426 in Setif.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $787 in Kathmandu versus $712 in Setif.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,075 in Kathmandu versus $998 in Setif.

Living in Kathmandu is roughly 17% more expensive than in Setif, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kathmandu 64% lower, Setif 69% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04 NPR 312
$3.22 DZD 427
-36.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.56 NPR 3,144
$15.99 DZD 2,121
28.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.54 NPR 1,000
$3.68 DZD 488
77.72%
Cappuccino
$1.60 NPR 245
$0.61 DZD 81.4
162.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 NPR 93.2
$0.61 DZD 80.7
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 NPR 23.66
$0.22 DZD 29.18
-31.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.26 NPR 499
$1.44 DZD 191
126.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71 NPR 568
$2.22 DZD 294
67.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.75 NPR 115
$0.70 DZD 92.6
7.14%
White Bread (500g)
$0.59 NPR 90.9
$0.14 DZD 18.08
321.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 NPR 144
$1.08 DZD 143
-12.96%
Eggs
$1.67 NPR 255
$0.93 DZD 123
79.57%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.27 NPR 1,112
$6.52 DZD 865
11.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.41 NPR 522
$4.23 DZD 560
-19.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.49 NPR 839
$14.83 DZD 1,967
-62.98%
Apples (1kg)
$2.04 NPR 311
$2.10 DZD 278
-2.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.10 NPR 168
$2.88 DZD 382
-61.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.43 NPR 219
$1.12 DZD 148
27.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.58 NPR 89.4
$0.86 DZD 114
-32.56%
Potato (1kg)
$0.39 NPR 59.9
$0.53 DZD 70.7
-26.42%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 NPR 84.1
$0.51 DZD 67.8
7.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.45 NPR 69.3
$0.46 DZD 60.6
-2.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25 NPR 38.50
$0.18 DZD 23.99
38.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.63 NPR 402
$2.81 DZD 373
-6.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.98 NPR 1,220
$5.67 DZD 752
40.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.30 NPR 352
$1.33 DZD 177
72.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 NPR 443
$1.96 DZD 260
47.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 NPR 35.16
$0.13 DZD 16.69
76.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.09 NPR 1,543
$5.67 DZD 752
77.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.01 NPR 308
$0.60 DZD 80.0
235.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.30 NPR 198
$0.39 DZD 51.1
233.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.40 NPR 519
$5.00 DZD 663
-32.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40 NPR 214
$0.37 DZD 48.44
278.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K NPR 4.5M
$28.7K DZD 3.8M
1.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.4K NPR 5.7M
$20.6K DZD 2.7M
81.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$31.42 NPR 4,804
$36.37 DZD 4,824
-13.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.48 NPR 532
$10.79 DZD 1,431
-67.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.86 NPR 1,202
$12.53 DZD 1,662
-37.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.66 NPR 3,465
$18.54 DZD 2,458
22.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96 NPR 1,064
$5.70 DZD 756
22.11%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00 NPR 458
$4.75 DZD 630
-36.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$67.3 NPR 10.3K
$574 DZD 76.2K
-88.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,888 NPR 747.3K
$6,573 DZD 871.6K
-25.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.03 NPR 4,133
$17.39 DZD 2,306
55.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.40 NPR 4,342
$16.01 DZD 2,124
77.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.4 NPR 10.3K
$34.47 DZD 4,572
95.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.33 NPR 4,638
$57.2 DZD 7,591
-47.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$221 NPR 33.8K
$68.9 DZD 9,142
220.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$105 NPR 16.0K
$48.90 DZD 6,485
114.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$434 NPR 66.3K
$138 DZD 18.3K
214.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$204 NPR 31.2K
$117 DZD 15.5K
74.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,365 NPR 361.6K
$348 DZD 46.2K
578.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,340 NPR 204.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$276 NPR 42.2K
$310 DZD 41.1K
-10.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.72
5.3
83.40%

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

Last update for Kathmandu: September 6, 2026

Last update for Setif: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $221 in Kathmandu and $68.9 in Setif. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Setif pays 12% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $21.00 in Kathmandu vs $16.00 in Setif. Groceries flip the comparison at $145 vs $167, with Kathmandu cheaper for home cooking.

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
Kathmandu vs Setif: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kathmandu or Setif?
Setif wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Kathmandu. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Setif the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Kathmandu or in Setif?
On paper, salaries run 12% lower in Setif. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Kathmandu compared to Setif?
Rent for a central apartment: $221 in Kathmandu versus $68.9 in Setif. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Kathmandu and in Setif?
Dining out is cheaper in Setif – a meal for two runs $16.00 versus $21.00 in Kathmandu. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Kathmandu compared to Setif?
All in, you'll spend $499 per month in Kathmandu versus $426 in Setif – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Kathmandu or in Setif?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Setif gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Kathmandu or Setif?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Kathmandu compared to Setif?
Safety-wise, Kathmandu and Setif are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Setif gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Kathmandu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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