Cost of Living in Kathmandu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $365 (excluding rent), and $490 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $847 (excluding rent), and $1,070 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.86 NPR 266

$1.11 NPR 159

$3.72 NPR 532

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.19 NPR 2,744

$14.76 NPR 2,111

$40.59 NPR 5,806

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.72 NPR 962

$5.24 NPR 749

$7.47 NPR 1,069

Cappuccino

$1.83 NPR 262

$1.06 NPR 152

$3.91 NPR 559

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

$0.5 NPR 71.6

$0.35 NPR 49.56

$1.05 NPR 150

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 NPR 24.7

$0.15 NPR 21.79

$0.37 NPR 52.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.64 NPR 378

$1.49 NPR 213

$5.2 NPR 744

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.6 NPR 515

$2.16 NPR 309

$5.77 NPR 825

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 NPR 117

$0.7 NPR 101

$1.13 NPR 161

White Bread (500g)

$0.59 NPR 84.6

$0.34 NPR 48.96

$0.83 NPR 119

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.93 NPR 132

$0.59 NPR 84.6

$1.39 NPR 199

Eggs

$1.84 NPR 264

$1.19 NPR 170

$3.48 NPR 498

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.19 NPR 1,315

$2.98 NPR 426

$22.36 NPR 3,199

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.25 NPR 464

$2.23 NPR 319

$5.22 NPR 747

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.98 NPR 856

$2.56 NPR 366

$10.68 NPR 1,527

Apples (1kg)

$2.27 NPR 324

$1.4 NPR 201

$2.96 NPR 423

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 NPR 152

$0.86 NPR 123

$1.45 NPR 207

Oranges (1kg)

$1.25 NPR 179

$0.75 NPR 107

$2.17 NPR 310

Tomato (1kg)

$0.68 NPR 97.3

$0.37 NPR 52.3

$1.11 NPR 158

Potato (1kg)

$0.49 NPR 69.5

$0.28 NPR 40.29

$1.06 NPR 151

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 NPR 95.6

$0.42 NPR 60.1

$1.32 NPR 188

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.49 NPR 69.6

$0.17 NPR 24.55

$0.91 NPR 130

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.27 NPR 39.03

$0.23 NPR 33.03

$0.38 NPR 54

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.95 NPR 423

$2.37 NPR 338

$3.7 NPR 528

Wine (Bottle)

$6.92 NPR 989

$4.84 NPR 692

$13.83 NPR 1,978

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 NPR 328

$1.45 NPR 207

$3.61 NPR 516

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.3 NPR 473

$1.47 NPR 210

$5.87 NPR 840

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 NPR 33.03

$0.19 NPR 27.02

$0.38 NPR 54.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.8 NPR 1,545

$4.32 NPR 618

$21.61 NPR 3,091

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 NPR 317

$1.49 NPR 213

$3.71 NPR 530

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.06 NPR 151

$0.71 NPR 101

$1.75 NPR 251

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.61 NPR 516

$2.16 NPR 309

$7.21 NPR 1,032

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 NPR 176

$1.15 NPR 165

$1.29 NPR 184

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

$32.1K NPR 4.6M

$22.1K NPR 3.2M

$32.8K NPR 4.7M

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

$39.9K NPR 5.7M

$35.8K NPR 5.1M

$53.8K NPR 7.7M

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

$33.42 NPR 4,780

$14.73 NPR 2,107

$73.7 NPR 10.5K

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

$5.01 NPR 716

$2.24 NPR 320

$7.47 NPR 1,068

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.66 NPR 1,382

$6.21 NPR 888

$14.61 NPR 2,089

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.96 NPR 3,141

$10.81 NPR 1,546

$36.05 NPR 5,156

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.27 NPR 1,039

$3.59 NPR 514

$12.94 NPR 1,851

Cinema Ticket

$3.18 NPR 455

$2.47 NPR 354

$4.24 NPR 606

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

$92.5 NPR 13.2K

$36.88 NPR 5,275

$184 NPR 26.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,742 NPR 535.2K

$1,733 NPR 247.8K

$10.8K NPR 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.69 NPR 3,532

$8.68 NPR 1,241

$43.38 NPR 6,205

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.52 NPR 3,937

$10.75 NPR 1,538

$71.7 NPR 10.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.5 NPR 8,229

$21.52 NPR 3,078

$86.1 NPR 12.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.63 NPR 5,667

$14.57 NPR 2,084

$72.9 NPR 10.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$197 NPR 28.2K

$111 NPR 15.9K

$333 NPR 47.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$102 NPR 14.6K

$73.6 NPR 10.5K

$147 NPR 21.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$335 NPR 47.9K

$179 NPR 25.5K

$643 NPR 91.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$189 NPR 27.1K

$110 NPR 15.8K

$368 NPR 52.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,774 NPR 253.7K

$1,373 NPR 196.3K

$3,432 NPR 490.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,127 NPR 161.3K

$770 NPR 110.2K

$1,387 NPR 198.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$241 NPR 34.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.08

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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.