Cost of Living in Kathmandu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $366 (excluding rent), and $495 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $849 (excluding rent), and $1,091 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.77 NPR 261

$1.06 NPR 156

$3.54 NPR 522

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.97 NPR 2,799

$14.59 NPR 2,153

$40.14 NPR 5,922

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.54 NPR 965

$5.09 NPR 751

$7.27 NPR 1,072

Cappuccino

$1.91 NPR 282

$1.11 NPR 163

$4.07 NPR 601

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

$0.54 NPR 80.0

$0.38 NPR 55.4

$1.14 NPR 168

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 NPR 25.58

$0.15 NPR 22.57

$0.37 NPR 54.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.67 NPR 393

$1.50 NPR 222

$5.25 NPR 775

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 NPR 550

$2.23 NPR 330

$5.98 NPR 882

Milk (1 liter)

$0.84 NPR 124

$0.72 NPR 106

$1.16 NPR 170

White Bread (500g)

$0.58 NPR 85.6

$0.34 NPR 49.56

$0.81 NPR 120

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.00 NPR 147

$0.64 NPR 94.2

$1.50 NPR 222

Eggs

$1.77 NPR 261

$1.14 NPR 169

$3.34 NPR 493

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.13 NPR 1,347

$2.96 NPR 436

$22.21 NPR 3,276

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.22 NPR 474

$2.21 NPR 326

$5.17 NPR 763

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.08 NPR 897

$2.60 NPR 384

$10.85 NPR 1,601

Apples (1kg)

$2.19 NPR 324

$1.36 NPR 200

$2.86 NPR 422

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 NPR 162

$0.89 NPR 132

$1.50 NPR 221

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 NPR 182

$0.74 NPR 109

$2.14 NPR 315

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 NPR 96.2

$0.35 NPR 51.7

$1.06 NPR 157

Potato (1kg)

$0.48 NPR 71.2

$0.28 NPR 41.29

$1.05 NPR 155

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 NPR 100

$0.43 NPR 63.1

$1.34 NPR 198

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.50 NPR 73.6

$0.18 NPR 25.99

$0.93 NPR 137

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.27 NPR 40.17

$0.23 NPR 33.99

$0.38 NPR 55.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.85 NPR 420

$2.28 NPR 337

$3.56 NPR 526

Wine (Bottle)

$6.99 NPR 1,032

$4.90 NPR 723

$13.99 NPR 2,064

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 NPR 339

$1.45 NPR 214

$3.62 NPR 534

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 NPR 475

$1.43 NPR 211

$5.72 NPR 844

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 NPR 30.86

$0.17 NPR 25.25

$0.34 NPR 50.5

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.98 NPR 1,620

$4.39 NPR 648

$21.97 NPR 3,241

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.21 NPR 327

$1.48 NPR 219

$3.70 NPR 545

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.11 NPR 163

$0.74 NPR 109

$1.83 NPR 271

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.60 NPR 532

$2.16 NPR 318

$7.21 NPR 1,063

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 NPR 179

$1.14 NPR 168

$1.27 NPR 188

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

$32.1K NPR 4.7M

$22.1K NPR 3.3M

$32.8K NPR 4.8M

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

$41.2K NPR 6.1M

$37.0K NPR 5.5M

$55.5K NPR 8.2M

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

$32.89 NPR 4,852

$14.50 NPR 2,139

$72.5 NPR 10.7K

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

$4.77 NPR 704

$2.13 NPR 315

$7.12 NPR 1,050

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.51 NPR 1,403

$6.11 NPR 902

$14.38 NPR 2,122

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.43 NPR 3,309

$11.04 NPR 1,629

$36.82 NPR 5,431

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.25 NPR 1,070

$3.59 NPR 529

$12.92 NPR 1,905

Cinema Ticket

$3.23 NPR 477

$2.51 NPR 371

$4.30 NPR 635

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

$90.7 NPR 13.4K

$36.15 NPR 5,333

$181 NPR 26.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,812 NPR 562.4K

$1,765 NPR 260.4K

$11.0K NPR 1.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.43 NPR 3,603

$8.58 NPR 1,266

$42.91 NPR 6,330

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.46 NPR 4,052

$10.73 NPR 1,583

$71.6 NPR 10.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.9 NPR 8,545

$21.66 NPR 3,196

$86.6 NPR 12.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.24 NPR 5,789

$14.43 NPR 2,129

$72.2 NPR 10.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$197 NPR 29.1K

$111 NPR 16.3K

$332 NPR 49.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$102 NPR 15.1K

$73.8 NPR 10.9K

$148 NPR 21.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$338 NPR 49.9K

$180 NPR 26.6K

$649 NPR 95.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 NPR 27.7K

$110 NPR 16.2K

$365 NPR 53.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,386 NPR 352.0K

$1,694 NPR 249.9K

$2,792 NPR 411.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,417 NPR 209.1K

$1,231 NPR 181.7K

$1,505 NPR 222.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$240 NPR 35.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.08

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Kathmandu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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.