🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $422 in Setif versus $498 in Kathmandu.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $700 in Setif versus $797 in Kathmandu.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $979 in Setif versus $1,097 in Kathmandu.
🌍Living in Setif costs roughly 15% less than in Kathmandu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Setif69% lower, Kathmandu64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.21DZD 429
$1.94NPR 297
65.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.30DZD 2,177
$20.02NPR 3,072
-18.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.66DZD 489
$7.97NPR 1,223
-54.08%
Cappuccino
$0.65DZD 86.6
$1.53NPR 235
-57.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61DZD 82.1
$0.56NPR 86.3
8.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22DZD 29.41
$0.14NPR 20.95
57.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.48DZD 197
$3.29NPR 505
-55.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10DZD 281
$3.58NPR 550
-41.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74DZD 98.4
$0.76NPR 117
-2.63%
White Bread(500g)
$0.16DZD 21.18
$0.58NPR 89.4
-72.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02DZD 137
$0.90NPR 139
13.33%
Eggs
$0.84DZD 112
$1.67NPR 257
-49.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.48DZD 866
$7.44NPR 1,141
-12.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.05DZD 542
$3.35NPR 514
20.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.67DZD 1,959
$6.02NPR 923
143.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.07DZD 277
$2.09NPR 321
-0.96%
Banana(1kg)
$2.92DZD 391
$1.14NPR 175
156.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.10DZD 147
$1.36NPR 208
-19.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.86DZD 115
$0.56NPR 86.1
53.57%
Potato(1kg)
$0.54DZD 72.3
$0.42NPR 64.2
28.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47DZD 62.3
$0.50NPR 76.4
-6.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.42DZD 56.3
$0.45NPR 68.9
-6.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.21DZD 28.25
$0.23NPR 35.29
-8.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69DZD 360
$2.65NPR 407
1.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.63DZD 752
$7.96NPR 1,221
-29.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27DZD 170
$2.30NPR 352
-44.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98DZD 265
$3.02NPR 463
-34.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14DZD 18.29
$0.20NPR 31.02
-30.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.66DZD 756
$9.67NPR 1,483
-41.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56DZD 74.2
$1.93NPR 296
-70.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41DZD 54.4
$1.33NPR 204
-69.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.15DZD 688
$3.23NPR 496
59.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.34DZD 45.11
$1.37NPR 210
-75.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9KDZD 3.9M
$29.1KNPR 4.5M
-0.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0KDZD 2.8M
$36.8KNPR 5.6M
-42.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$36.10DZD 4,822
$31.27NPR 4,798
15.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.58DZD 1,413
$3.45NPR 530
206.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.72DZD 1,700
$8.05NPR 1,235
58.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.32DZD 2,447
$21.88NPR 3,357
-16.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.64DZD 753
$6.99NPR 1,073
-19.31%
Cinema Ticket
$4.56DZD 609
$2.93NPR 450
55.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$519DZD 69.4K
$66.8NPR 10.2K
677.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,499DZD 868.2K
$4,792NPR 735.3K
35.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.44DZD 2,330
$26.66NPR 4,091
-34.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.38DZD 2,054
$28.20NPR 4,327
-45.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$34.47DZD 4,605
$64.9NPR 9,961
-46.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.4DZD 7,672
$29.52NPR 4,530
94.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$69.1DZD 9,235
$223NPR 34.2K
-68.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$47.94DZD 6,405
$101NPR 15.5K
-52.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$135DZD 18.0K
$435NPR 66.7K
-69.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$114DZD 15.2K
$205NPR 31.4K
-44.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$345DZD 46.1K
$2,281NPR 350.0K
-84.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,342NPR 205.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Setif
Kathmandu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$301DZD 40.2K
$271NPR 41.6K
11.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.3
9.72
-45.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Setif: September 13, 2026
Last update for Kathmandu: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $69.1 in Setif and $223 in Kathmandu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Setif pays 11% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $16.00 in Setif vs $20.00 in Kathmandu. Groceries flip the comparison at $165 vs $147, 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
Setif vs Kathmandu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Setif or Kathmandu?
Setif wins on cost – living expenses run 18% 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 Setif or in Kathmandu?
Average pay runs 11% higher in Setif, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Setif compared to Kathmandu?
Rent for a central apartment: $69.1 in Setif versus $223 in Kathmandu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Setif and in Kathmandu?
Dining out is cheaper in Setif – a meal for two runs $16.00 versus $20.00 in Kathmandu. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Setif compared to Kathmandu?
All in, you'll spend $422 per month in Setif versus $498 in Kathmandu – a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Setif or in Kathmandu?
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: Setif or Kathmandu?
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 Setif compared to Kathmandu?
Safety-wise, Setif and Kathmandu 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 18% less than in Kathmandu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.