Cost of Living Comparison Between Kathmandu and Tulsipur Cost of Living Comparison Between Kathmandu and Tulsipur

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $499 in Kathmandu versus $23.31 in Tulsipur.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $787 in Kathmandu versus $41.00 in Tulsipur.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,075 in Kathmandu versus $59.5 in Tulsipur.

Living in Kathmandu is roughly 2041% more expensive than in Tulsipur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kathmandu 64% lower, Tulsipur 98% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 NPR 312

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.56 NPR 3,144

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.54 NPR 1,000

Cappuccino

$1.60 NPR 245

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

$0.61 NPR 93.2

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.15 NPR 23.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.26 NPR 499

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 NPR 568

Milk (1 liter)

$0.75 NPR 115

$0.63 NPR 96.6

19.05%

White Bread (500g)

$0.59 NPR 90.9

$0.27 NPR 41.46

118.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.94 NPR 144

Eggs

$1.67 NPR 255

$1.17 NPR 178

42.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 NPR 1,112

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.41 NPR 522

$1.93 NPR 295

76.68%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.49 NPR 839

Apples (1kg)

$2.04 NPR 311

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 NPR 168

Oranges (1kg)

$1.43 NPR 219

Tomato (1kg)

$0.58 NPR 89.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.39 NPR 59.9

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 NPR 84.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 NPR 69.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.25 NPR 38.50

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.63 NPR 402

Wine (Bottle)

$7.98 NPR 1,220

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 NPR 352

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 NPR 443

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 NPR 35.16

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.09 NPR 1,543

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.01 NPR 308

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.30 NPR 198

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.40 NPR 519

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 NPR 214

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

$29.2K NPR 4.5M

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

$37.4K NPR 5.7M

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

$31.42 NPR 4,804

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

$3.48 NPR 532

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.86 NPR 1,202

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.66 NPR 3,465

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 NPR 1,064

Cinema Ticket

$3.00 NPR 458

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

$67.3 NPR 10.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,888 NPR 747.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.03 NPR 4,133

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.40 NPR 4,342

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.4 NPR 10.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$30.33 NPR 4,638

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$221 NPR 33.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$105 NPR 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$434 NPR 66.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$204 NPR 31.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,365 NPR 361.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,340 NPR 204.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$276 NPR 42.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.72

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

Last update for Kathmandu: September 6, 2026

Last update for Tulsipur: September 6, 2026

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 Tulsipur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tulsipur wins on cost – living expenses run 2041% lower than in Kathmandu. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tulsipur the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $749 in Kathmandu and $34.96 in Tulsipur to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 521% higher in Kathmandu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $499 per month in Kathmandu versus $23.31 in Tulsipur – a 2041% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Tulsipur gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find Tulsipur gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2041% less than in Kathmandu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.