Cost of Living in Kathmandu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $359 (excluding rent), and $488 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $869 (excluding rent), and $1,104 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.79 NPR 260

$1.07 NPR 155

$3.58 NPR 519

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.98 NPR 2,755

$14.60 NPR 2,119

$40.15 NPR 5,828

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.44 NPR 935

$5.01 NPR 728

$7.16 NPR 1,039

Cappuccino

$1.91 NPR 278

$1.11 NPR 161

$4.08 NPR 593

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

$0.55 NPR 79.2

$0.38 NPR 54.8

$1.14 NPR 166

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.14 NPR 21.04

$0.13 NPR 18.56

$0.31 NPR 44.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.62 NPR 380

$1.48 NPR 214

$5.16 NPR 748

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 NPR 540

$2.23 NPR 323

$5.95 NPR 864

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 NPR 118

$0.70 NPR 101

$1.12 NPR 162

White Bread (500g)

$0.59 NPR 85.8

$0.34 NPR 49.65

$0.83 NPR 120

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 NPR 146

$0.64 NPR 93.6

$1.52 NPR 220

Eggs

$1.77 NPR 257

$1.14 NPR 166

$3.34 NPR 485

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.03 NPR 1,311

$2.93 NPR 425

$21.96 NPR 3,189

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.13 NPR 454

$2.15 NPR 312

$5.03 NPR 731

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.21 NPR 902

$2.66 NPR 386

$11.09 NPR 1,609

Apples (1kg)

$2.19 NPR 318

$1.36 NPR 197

$2.86 NPR 415

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 NPR 160

$0.89 NPR 130

$1.50 NPR 218

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 NPR 179

$0.74 NPR 107

$2.13 NPR 310

Tomato (1kg)

$0.69 NPR 100

$0.37 NPR 53.9

$1.12 NPR 163

Potato (1kg)

$0.48 NPR 69.9

$0.28 NPR 40.53

$1.05 NPR 152

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 NPR 107

$0.46 NPR 67.0

$1.45 NPR 210

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.50 NPR 72.2

$0.18 NPR 25.46

$0.93 NPR 134

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.27 NPR 39.41

$0.23 NPR 33.35

$0.38 NPR 54.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.97 NPR 432

$2.38 NPR 346

$3.72 NPR 540

Wine (Bottle)

$6.90 NPR 1,001

$4.83 NPR 702

$13.80 NPR 2,004

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.27 NPR 330

$1.44 NPR 209

$3.58 NPR 520

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 NPR 482

$1.48 NPR 215

$5.91 NPR 858

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 NPR 30.45

$0.17 NPR 24.91

$0.34 NPR 49.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.81 NPR 1,569

$4.33 NPR 628

$21.63 NPR 3,140

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 NPR 310

$1.43 NPR 208

$3.57 NPR 518

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.07 NPR 155

$0.71 NPR 103

$1.77 NPR 257

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.74 NPR 543

$2.24 NPR 325

$7.48 NPR 1,085

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 NPR 186

$1.20 NPR 174

$1.34 NPR 195

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

$32.5K NPR 4.7M

$22.4K NPR 3.2M

$33.3K NPR 4.8M

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

$39.9K NPR 5.8M

$35.8K NPR 5.2M

$53.8K NPR 7.8M

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

$33.54 NPR 4,869

$14.78 NPR 2,146

$73.9 NPR 10.7K

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

$4.94 NPR 718

$2.21 NPR 321

$7.37 NPR 1,071

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.85 NPR 1,431

$6.33 NPR 920

$14.90 NPR 2,163

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.53 NPR 3,271

$11.09 NPR 1,610

$36.98 NPR 5,369

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.27 NPR 1,055

$3.60 NPR 522

$12.95 NPR 1,880

Cinema Ticket

$3.30 NPR 479

$2.56 NPR 372

$4.39 NPR 638

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

$91.7 NPR 13.3K

$36.53 NPR 5,304

$183 NPR 26.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,839 NPR 557.4K

$1,778 NPR 258.1K

$11.1K NPR 1.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.35 NPR 3,681

$8.91 NPR 1,294

$44.54 NPR 6,466

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.10 NPR 4,079

$10.98 NPR 1,594

$73.2 NPR 10.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.3 NPR 8,312

$21.41 NPR 3,109

$85.6 NPR 12.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.15 NPR 5,829

$14.76 NPR 2,143

$73.8 NPR 10.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$195 NPR 28.3K

$110 NPR 15.9K

$329 NPR 47.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$102 NPR 14.7K

$73.5 NPR 10.7K

$147 NPR 21.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$338 NPR 49.1K

$180 NPR 26.1K

$648 NPR 94.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$184 NPR 26.7K

$107 NPR 15.6K

$357 NPR 51.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,415 NPR 350.7K

$1,715 NPR 249.0K

$2,826 NPR 410.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,445 NPR 209.8K

$1,256 NPR 182.3K

$1,535 NPR 222.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 NPR 33.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.08

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Kathmandu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

164

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

123

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Kathmandu - Frequently Asked Questions

Kathmandu offers a favorable balance for many who want a comfortable base without the sticker shock of larger capitals. For short-term stays and longer digital nomad setups, local rent and everyday expenses tend to be moderate, especially if you focus on non-touristy neighborhoods and local eateries. This is why travelers and expats often report good value when combining a modest apartment, reliable Wi‑Fi, and flexible coworking options. The trade‑offs include variable internet quality and occasional power outages, so plan for contingencies. Cost of Living in Kathmandu, Nepal provides a helpful reference point as you compare housing ladders, food budgets, and transport choices across the city. Tip: Look for guesthouses with desk space or shared apartments to minimize upfront costs.

Daily life here blends affordability with vibrant culture. For housing searches, many expats start in central hubs or quieter residential pockets, then visit a few options to compare lease terms and utilities. Food is diverse and wallet-friendly, from street snacks to modest restaurants; cooking at home stays cost-effective. Transport relies on rickshaws, buses, and ride‑hailing, with walkable cores and hilly routes shaping choices. Co-working spaces and coffee shops offer reliable Wi‑Fi, comfortable workspaces, and networking chances. Errands are manageable with nearby markets, pharmacies, and delivery apps. Kathmandu, Nepal living cost varies by area and season, so plan for monsoon adjustments and festival demand. Tip: Map a 2–3 neighborhood shortlist before you visit.

A practical budgeting approach blends flexibility with location fit. Start by separating recurring rents, utilities, and discretionary spends, then set a monthly cushion for transport and food. Neighborhoods nearer the old city offer compact access to markets, while newer residential belts give quieter streets and more space. Seasonal shifts – rainy monsoon months and festival periods – shape prices and crowd levels, so plan accordingly. A thoughtful quality-of-life equation weighs safety, access to healthcare, and reliable internet for remote work. Build a simple comparison framework: pick 2–3 target areas, note transport times, grocery options, and coworking availability, and revisit as you settle. Tip: Use trial stays to test daily rhythms before committing long term.