😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $508 in Kathmandu versus $461 in Setif.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $787 in Kathmandu versus $760 in Setif.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,067 in Kathmandu versus $1,059 in Setif.
🌍Living in Kathmandu is roughly 10% more expensive than in Setif, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kathmandu62% lower, Setif65% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79NPR 274
$2.37DZD 314
-24.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.21NPR 2,943
$15.98DZD 2,115
20.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.70NPR 1,026
$3.89DZD 514
72.24%
Cappuccino
$1.92NPR 294
$0.69DZD 91.1
178.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54NPR 83.4
$0.61DZD 80.4
-11.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19NPR 29.67
$0.23DZD 30.50
-17.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.53NPR 387
$1.46DZD 193
73.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54NPR 542
$2.18DZD 289
62.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87NPR 133
$0.71DZD 94.0
22.54%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58NPR 89.4
$0.14DZD 18.86
314.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95NPR 145
$1.02DZD 135
-6.86%
Eggs
$1.84NPR 282
$1.81DZD 239
1.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22NPR 1,412
$6.55DZD 867
40.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.10NPR 475
$5.22DZD 691
-40.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.04NPR 925
$14.36DZD 1,901
-57.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27NPR 348
$2.77DZD 367
-18.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08NPR 166
$2.84DZD 375
-61.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20NPR 184
$1.44DZD 191
-16.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.65NPR 99.3
$0.77DZD 102
-15.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.48NPR 73.2
$0.56DZD 74.6
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67NPR 103
$0.50DZD 66.6
34.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.50NPR 75.8
$0.48DZD 63.8
4.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27NPR 41.55
$0.30DZD 39.74
-10.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.94NPR 450
$2.76DZD 366
6.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.86NPR 1,357
$5.32DZD 704
66.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34NPR 359
$1.35DZD 178
73.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27NPR 501
$2.09DZD 276
56.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.21NPR 32.10
$0.17DZD 22.79
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.03NPR 1,689
$5.95DZD 788
85.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.21NPR 339
$0.67DZD 88.7
229.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.06NPR 163
$0.36DZD 48.25
194.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.73NPR 571
$5.10DZD 674
-26.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24NPR 189
$0.34DZD 44.42
264.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.4KNPR 4.8M
$29.0KDZD 3.8M
8.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4KNPR 6.3M
$20.9KDZD 2.8M
97.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.18NPR 5,083
$39.24DZD 5,193
-15.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.95NPR 759
$9.43DZD 1,248
-47.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.65NPR 1,478
$13.26DZD 1,755
-27.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.94NPR 3,362
$18.37DZD 2,431
19.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.45NPR 1,142
$5.92DZD 783
25.84%
Cinema Ticket
$3.21NPR 492
$5.58DZD 738
-42.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.0NPR 13.9K
$93.3DZD 12.4K
-2.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,763NPR 576.5K
$3,608DZD 477.5K
4.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.49NPR 3,751
$24.50DZD 3,243
-0.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.13NPR 4,309
$27.33DZD 3,617
2.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.2NPR 9,066
$43.78DZD 5,794
35.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.39NPR 6,187
$56.7DZD 7,498
-28.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$198NPR 30.3K
$76.4DZD 10.1K
158.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$99.0NPR 15.2K
$56.8DZD 7,520
74.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$344NPR 52.7K
$178DZD 23.5K
93.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$184NPR 28.1K
$156DZD 20.7K
17.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,331NPR 357.0K
$946DZD 125.2K
146.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,317NPR 201.7K
$385DZD 50.9K
242.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kathmandu
Setif
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$269NPR 41.2K
$303DZD 40.1K
-11.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.08
5.42
122.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kathmandu: July 25, 2026
Last update for Setif: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $198 in Kathmandu and $76.4 in Setif. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Setif pays 13% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $19.00 in Kathmandu vs $16.00 in Setif. Groceries flip the comparison at $157 vs $179, 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 10% 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 13% 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: $198 in Kathmandu versus $76.4 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 $19.00 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 $508 per month in Kathmandu versus $461 in Setif – a 10% 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 10% less than in Kathmandu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.