🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $171 in Nepalgunj versus $321 in Biratnagar.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $285 in Nepalgunj versus $525 in Biratnagar.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $398 in Nepalgunj versus $728 in Biratnagar.
🌍Living in Nepalgunj costs roughly 47% less than in Biratnagar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Nepalgunj88% lower, Biratnagar77% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.35NPR 507
$1.53NPR 231
118.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.10NPR 1,226
$13.97NPR 2,114
-42.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.46NPR 977
$7.77NPR 1,175
-16.86%
Cappuccino
$1.66NPR 251
$1.20NPR 181
38.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52NPR 78.5
$0.34NPR 51.8
52.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13NPR 20.22
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35NPR 356
$1.52NPR 229
54.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38NPR 511
$2.19NPR 331
54.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.63NPR 95.9
$0.57NPR 85.9
10.53%
White Bread(500g)
-
$0.38NPR 57.8
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.54NPR 81.7
$0.64NPR 96.2
-15.62%
Eggs
$0.81NPR 123
$1.26NPR 190
-35.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.53NPR 686
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$2.64NPR 400
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$3.18NPR 481
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.03NPR 306
$1.93NPR 293
5.18%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64NPR 97.1
$0.83NPR 125
-22.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.68NPR 102
$1.35NPR 204
-49.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.63NPR 95.0
$0.48NPR 72.8
31.25%
Potato(1kg)
$0.20NPR 30.06
$0.36NPR 54.8
-44.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.25NPR 37.48
$0.47NPR 71.1
-46.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.27NPR 41.23
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.18NPR 27.24
$0.29NPR 43.87
-37.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.60NPR 393
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.67NPR 253
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.33NPR 353
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34NPR 51.9
$0.13NPR 20.13
161.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.90NPR 1,801
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.96NPR 296
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.36NPR 357
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.19NPR 180
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.4KNPR 3.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$4.13NPR 625
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$9.32NPR 1,409
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.73NPR 1,472
$28.04NPR 4,243
-65.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$1.99NPR 301
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.66NPR 403
$3.16NPR 478
-15.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$48.06NPR 7,271
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$1,768NPR 267.5K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.85NPR 3,002
$20.75NPR 3,140
-4.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.69NPR 4,037
$32.97NPR 4,988
-19.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$12.94NPR 1,958
$24.24NPR 3,666
-46.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$20.06NPR 3,035
$30.07NPR 4,549
-33.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$46.58NPR 7,046
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$51.8NPR 7,842
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$132NPR 20.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$98.4NPR 14.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$388NPR 58.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$260NPR 39.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nepalgunj
Biratnagar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$98.3NPR 14.9K
$163NPR 24.6K
-39.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
14
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Nepalgunj: August 29, 2026
Last update for Biratnagar: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Biratnagar pays 65% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $8.00 in Nepalgunj vs $14.00 in Biratnagar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $35.00 vs $95.0 per month, with Nepalgunj cheaper across the board.
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
Nepalgunj vs Biratnagar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Biratnagar cheaper than Nepalgunj?
Nepalgunj is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 88% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Nepalgunj or Biratnagar?
On paper, salaries run 65% lower in Biratnagar. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do food prices compare in Nepalgunj and in Biratnagar?
Supermarket bills run roughly 174% higher in Biratnagar. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Nepalgunj or in Biratnagar?
Dining out is cheaper in Nepalgunj – a meal for two runs $8.00 versus $14.00 in Biratnagar. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,200 enough for either Nepalgunj or Biratnagar?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Nepalgunj gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Nepalgunj or in Biratnagar?
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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Nepalgunj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 88% less than in Biratnagar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.