Cost of Living in Kathmandu - Updated Prices & Insights

25.04

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $357 (excluding rent), and $504 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $855 (excluding rent), and $1,091 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.8 NPR 246

$1.08 NPR 147

$3.59 NPR 492

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.28 NPR 2,641

$14.83 NPR 2,031

$40.8 NPR 5,586

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.62 NPR 907

$5.15 NPR 706

$7.36 NPR 1,008

Cappuccino

$1.86 NPR 255

$1.08 NPR 148

$3.98 NPR 544

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

$0.5 NPR 67.8

$0.34 NPR 46.96

$1.04 NPR 142

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 NPR 21.54

$0.14 NPR 19.01

$0.33 NPR 45.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.53 NPR 346

$1.43 NPR 195

$4.98 NPR 682

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 NPR 485

$2.12 NPR 291

$5.67 NPR 777

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 NPR 111

$0.7 NPR 95.3

$1.11 NPR 153

White Bread (500g)

$0.55 NPR 75.6

$0.32 NPR 43.78

$0.78 NPR 106

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.94 NPR 128

$0.6 NPR 82

$1.41 NPR 193

Eggs

$1.83 NPR 250

$1.18 NPR 162

$3.45 NPR 472

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.94 NPR 1,224

$2.9 NPR 397

$21.75 NPR 2,978

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.2 NPR 438

$2.2 NPR 301

$5.14 NPR 704

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.15 NPR 842

$2.63 NPR 361

$10.97 NPR 1,503

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 NPR 313

$1.41 NPR 193

$2.98 NPR 408

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 NPR 150

$0.89 NPR 122

$1.49 NPR 204

Oranges (1kg)

$1.2 NPR 165

$0.72 NPR 98.7

$2.08 NPR 285

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 NPR 88.9

$0.35 NPR 47.78

$1.06 NPR 145

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 NPR 70.3

$0.3 NPR 40.8

$1.12 NPR 153

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 NPR 100

$0.46 NPR 62.9

$1.44 NPR 197

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.52 NPR 71.7

$0.18 NPR 25.29

$0.97 NPR 133

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.25 NPR 33.93

$0.21 NPR 28.71

$0.34 NPR 46.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.94 NPR 403

$2.36 NPR 323

$3.68 NPR 504

Wine (Bottle)

$7.13 NPR 977

$5 NPR 684

$14.26 NPR 1,953

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.3 NPR 315

$1.45 NPR 199

$3.62 NPR 496

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 NPR 459

$1.49 NPR 204

$5.96 NPR 816

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 NPR 28.67

$0.17 NPR 23.46

$0.34 NPR 46.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.88 NPR 1,490

$4.36 NPR 596

$21.78 NPR 2,982

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.24 NPR 306

$1.5 NPR 205

$3.74 NPR 512

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.11 NPR 152

$0.74 NPR 101

$1.84 NPR 252

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.7 NPR 507

$2.22 NPR 303

$7.4 NPR 1,013

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 NPR 168

$1.15 NPR 157

$1.28 NPR 176

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

$31.7K NPR 4.3M

$21.8K NPR 3M

$32.5K NPR 4.4M

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

$40.3K NPR 5.5M

$36.2K NPR 5M

$54.3K NPR 7.4M

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

$33.38 NPR 4,571

$14.72 NPR 2,015

$73.6 NPR 10.1K

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

$5.01 NPR 686

$2.24 NPR 306

$7.47 NPR 1,023

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.86 NPR 1,350

$6.34 NPR 868

$14.91 NPR 2,041

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.32 NPR 3,057

$10.99 NPR 1,505

$36.65 NPR 5,018

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.27 NPR 996

$3.6 NPR 493

$12.95 NPR 1,774

Cinema Ticket

$3.19 NPR 436

$2.48 NPR 339

$4.24 NPR 581

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

$90.4 NPR 12.4K

$36.03 NPR 4,934

$180 NPR 24.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,765 NPR 515.5K

$1,743 NPR 238.7K

$10.9K NPR 1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.14 NPR 3,442

$8.83 NPR 1,210

$44.16 NPR 6,046

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.51 NPR 3,903

$11.14 NPR 1,525

$74.3 NPR 10.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$58.1 NPR 7,958

$21.74 NPR 2,976

$86.9 NPR 11.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.79 NPR 5,448

$14.63 NPR 2,003

$73.2 NPR 10K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$192 NPR 26.3K

$108 NPR 14.8K

$324 NPR 44.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$99.4 NPR 13.6K

$71.9 NPR 9,846

$144 NPR 19.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$343 NPR 46.9K

$183 NPR 25K

$657 NPR 90K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 NPR 25.7K

$109 NPR 15K

$364 NPR 49.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,932 NPR 264.6K

$1,563 NPR 214K

$2,735 NPR 374.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,096 NPR 150K

$779 NPR 106.7K

$1,325 NPR 181.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$236 NPR 32.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.08

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

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.