Cost of Living in Pokhara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $334 (excluding rent), and $457 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $858 (excluding rent), and $979 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 NPR 258

$1.08 NPR 155

$5.78 NPR 827

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.54 NPR 2,079

$10.9 NPR 1,559

$72.7 NPR 10.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.69 NPR 957

$4.46 NPR 638

$7.44 NPR 1,063

Cappuccino

$1.05 NPR 150

$0.57 NPR 82.1

$3.97 NPR 568

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

$0.54 NPR 77.4

$0.37 NPR 53.6

$1.13 NPR 162

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 NPR 23.78

$0.15 NPR 20.99

$0.35 NPR 50.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.66 NPR 381

$1.12 NPR 160

$5.24 NPR 749

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 NPR 528

$2.21 NPR 316

$5.91 NPR 846

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 NPR 116

$0.52 NPR 74.2

$1.19 NPR 170

White Bread (500g)

$0.58 NPR 83.3

$0.34 NPR 48.25

$1.49 NPR 213

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.75 NPR 107

$0.39 NPR 56.2

$1.54 NPR 221

Eggs

$1.63 NPR 233

$1.14 NPR 162

$3.32 NPR 475

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.73 NPR 962

$2.99 NPR 428

$22.45 NPR 3,210

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.09 NPR 442

$2.13 NPR 304

$5.33 NPR 762

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.08 NPR 870

$2.6 NPR 372

$10.85 NPR 1,552

Apples (1kg)

$2.17 NPR 311

$1.35 NPR 192

$3.55 NPR 508

Banana (1kg)

$1.1 NPR 157

$0.75 NPR 107

$1.87 NPR 267

Oranges (1kg)

$1.24 NPR 177

$0.74 NPR 106

$2.14 NPR 306

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 NPR 92.6

$0.35 NPR 49.73

$1.05 NPR 151

Potato (1kg)

$0.46 NPR 65.9

$0.23 NPR 32.97

$1.14 NPR 163

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 NPR 97.9

$0.43 NPR 61.5

$1.43 NPR 204

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.41 NPR 58.6

$0.18 NPR 25.11

$0.93 NPR 133

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.25 NPR 35.68

$0.17 NPR 24.7

$0.42 NPR 60.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.92 NPR 418

$1.47 NPR 210

$3.65 NPR 523

Wine (Bottle)

$6.81 NPR 974

$2.04 NPR 292

$13.62 NPR 1,948

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.33 NPR 333

$1.47 NPR 210

$3.67 NPR 525

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 NPR 466

$1.45 NPR 207

$5.79 NPR 827

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 NPR 32.88

$0.17 NPR 24.66

$0.7 NPR 100

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.15 NPR 3,168

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 NPR 317

$1.49 NPR 213

$3.71 NPR 530

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 NPR 121

$0.35 NPR 50.8

$1.76 NPR 252

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.66 NPR 523

$2.19 NPR 313

$7.32 NPR 1,047

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 NPR 181

$1.18 NPR 169

$1.33 NPR 190

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

$31.6K NPR 4.5M

$21.7K NPR 3.1M

$35.9K NPR 5.1M

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

$37.5K NPR 5.4M

$32.1K NPR 4.6M

$53.6K NPR 7.7M

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

$32.76 NPR 4,686

$14.44 NPR 2,066

$108 NPR 15.5K

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

$4.94 NPR 706

$2.21 NPR 316

$11.05 NPR 1,581

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.59 NPR 1,085

$6.14 NPR 878

$14.44 NPR 2,065

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.13 NPR 3,165

$5.17 NPR 739

$22.13 NPR 3,165

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.27 NPR 1,325

$3.71 NPR 530

$14.83 NPR 2,120

Cinema Ticket

$2.8 NPR 400

$2.23 NPR 319

$4.47 NPR 640

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

$53.4 NPR 7,643

$25.37 NPR 3,628

$181 NPR 25.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,209 NPR 315.9K

$1,767 NPR 252.8K

$11K NPR 1.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.51 NPR 2,934

$5.8 NPR 829

$43.44 NPR 6,213

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.93 NPR 3,995

$10.91 NPR 1,561

$72.8 NPR 10.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$40.09 NPR 5,733

$18.22 NPR 2,605

$87.5 NPR 12.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$33.83 NPR 4,839

$14.5 NPR 2,073

$72.5 NPR 10.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$140 NPR 20K

$129 NPR 18.5K

$144 NPR 20.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$95 NPR 13.6K

$87.7 NPR 12.5K

$110 NPR 15.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$265 NPR 38K

$109 NPR 15.5K

$434 NPR 62.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$179 NPR 25.7K

$36.87 NPR 5,274

$295 NPR 42.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,927 NPR 275.6K

$375 NPR 53.6K

$3,479 NPR 497.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$645 NPR 92.2K

$259 NPR 37K

$1,031 NPR 147.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$188 NPR 26.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.08

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Pokhara - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Pokhara is generally approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You'll find affordable meals at local eateries, simple guesthouses, and flexible transport options. Longer stays often cut costs through monthly rentals in quieter neighborhoods rather than lakeside or tourist zones. Groceries, fruit stalls, and street food stay reasonably priced, while imported goods and Western-style cafes run higher. Seasonal crowds can alter availability, but basic services remain reliable. The city balances nature, lifestyle, and connectivity, making extended work or study visits practical. Tip: test a few neighborhoods before committing to a long-term rental to match your routine.

Housing search is straightforward if you start with a longer stay in Lakeside or Old Pokhara, where many hosts offer flexible monthly rates. For daily life, meals range from dal bhat and momos at street stalls to cafe lunches; groceries are affordable, especially local produce. Transport is simple: walk, cycle, or hire a scooter or taxi for longer hops. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable wifi are common, making remote work practical. Errands and banking services are easy to access in central zones. Pokhara living cost varies with season, but you can maintain a comfortable rhythm with smart choices. Tip: keep a flexible daily budget and plan for monsoon mobility.

Quality of life in Pokhara centers on accessible nature, slower pace, and a friendly vibe for remote work and learning. A practical budgeting framework uses a simple monthly plan: allocate for housing, food, transport, and leisure, with a cushion for surprises like monsoon weather or festival crowds. Neighborhood fit matters: Lakeside suits social scenes and expat networks, while quiet pockets near Prithvi Highway or Ranipauwa feel calmer. Take advantage of daylight hours for outdoor activities, and use alternative transport like cycling in dry months. Tip: test different neighborhoods during shoulder seasons to see how noise, crowds, and services align with your rhythm.