😐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: Kathmandu64% lower, Setif69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04NPR 312
$3.22DZD 427
-36.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.56NPR 3,144
$15.99DZD 2,121
28.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.54NPR 1,000
$3.68DZD 488
77.72%
Cappuccino
$1.60NPR 245
$0.61DZD 81.4
162.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61NPR 93.2
$0.61DZD 80.7
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15NPR 23.66
$0.22DZD 29.18
-31.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.26NPR 499
$1.44DZD 191
126.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71NPR 568
$2.22DZD 294
67.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.75NPR 115
$0.70DZD 92.6
7.14%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59NPR 90.9
$0.14DZD 18.08
321.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94NPR 144
$1.08DZD 143
-12.96%
Eggs
$1.67NPR 255
$0.93DZD 123
79.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.27NPR 1,112
$6.52DZD 865
11.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.41NPR 522
$4.23DZD 560
-19.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.49NPR 839
$14.83DZD 1,967
-62.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.04NPR 311
$2.10DZD 278
-2.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10NPR 168
$2.88DZD 382
-61.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43NPR 219
$1.12DZD 148
27.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58NPR 89.4
$0.86DZD 114
-32.56%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39NPR 59.9
$0.53DZD 70.7
-26.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.55NPR 84.1
$0.51DZD 67.8
7.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45NPR 69.3
$0.46DZD 60.6
-2.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25NPR 38.50
$0.18DZD 23.99
38.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.63NPR 402
$2.81DZD 373
-6.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.98NPR 1,220
$5.67DZD 752
40.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.30NPR 352
$1.33DZD 177
72.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90NPR 443
$1.96DZD 260
47.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23NPR 35.16
$0.13DZD 16.69
76.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.09NPR 1,543
$5.67DZD 752
77.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.01NPR 308
$0.60DZD 80.0
235.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.30NPR 198
$0.39DZD 51.1
233.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.40NPR 519
$5.00DZD 663
-32.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.40NPR 214
$0.37DZD 48.44
278.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2KNPR 4.5M
$28.7KDZD 3.8M
1.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.4KNPR 5.7M
$20.6KDZD 2.7M
81.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$31.42NPR 4,804
$36.37DZD 4,824
-13.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.48NPR 532
$10.79DZD 1,431
-67.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.86NPR 1,202
$12.53DZD 1,662
-37.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.66NPR 3,465
$18.54DZD 2,458
22.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96NPR 1,064
$5.70DZD 756
22.11%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00NPR 458
$4.75DZD 630
-36.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$67.3NPR 10.3K
$574DZD 76.2K
-88.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,888NPR 747.3K
$6,573DZD 871.6K
-25.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.03NPR 4,133
$17.39DZD 2,306
55.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.40NPR 4,342
$16.01DZD 2,124
77.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.4NPR 10.3K
$34.47DZD 4,572
95.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.33NPR 4,638
$57.2DZD 7,591
-47.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$221NPR 33.8K
$68.9DZD 9,142
220.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$105NPR 16.0K
$48.90DZD 6,485
114.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$434NPR 66.3K
$138DZD 18.3K
214.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204NPR 31.2K
$117DZD 15.5K
74.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,365NPR 361.6K
$348DZD 46.2K
578.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,340NPR 204.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$276NPR 42.2K
$310DZD 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.