Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar - Updated Prices & Insights

45.37

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $662 (excluding rent), and $1,165 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,597 (excluding rent), and $2,401 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.64 MNT 20.2K

$4.04 MNT 14.5K

$7.49 MNT 26.8K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.9 MNT 106.9K

$20.93 MNT 74.8K

$74.8 MNT 267.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.27 MNT 18.8K

$4.57 MNT 16.3K

$6 MNT 21.5K

Cappuccino

$2.63 MNT 9,389

$2.24 MNT 8,012

$3.58 MNT 12.8K

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

$0.77 MNT 2,768

$0.62 MNT 2,207

$1.54 MNT 5,499

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 MNT 1,822

$0.3 MNT 1,078

$0.91 MNT 3,272

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.08 MNT 7,448

$1.19 MNT 4,266

$4.46 MNT 15.9K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 MNT 8,537

$1.49 MNT 5,340

$2.99 MNT 10.7K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 MNT 5,133

$1.31 MNT 4,672

$1.6 MNT 5,734

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 MNT 3,619

$0.75 MNT 2,678

$1.79 MNT 6,406

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 MNT 7,293

$1.44 MNT 5,154

$2.88 MNT 10.3K

Eggs

$2.1 MNT 7,506

$1.6 MNT 5,709

$2.43 MNT 8,704

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.55 MNT 55.6K

$7.24 MNT 25.9K

$33.19 MNT 118.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.85 MNT 20.9K

$2.98 MNT 10.7K

$9.05 MNT 32.3K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.47 MNT 23.1K

$4.51 MNT 16.1K

$8.72 MNT 31.2K

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 MNT 11.3K

$1.96 MNT 6,992

$4.51 MNT 16.1K

Banana (1kg)

$2.57 MNT 9,185

$2.06 MNT 7,362

$3.46 MNT 12.4K

Oranges (1kg)

$4.31 MNT 15.4K

$3.17 MNT 11.3K

$6.4 MNT 22.9K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.65 MNT 9,493

$2.07 MNT 7,399

$3.45 MNT 12.3K

Potato (1kg)

$0.72 MNT 2,563

$0.25 MNT 901

$0.85 MNT 3,048

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 MNT 3,810

$0.76 MNT 2,711

$1.51 MNT 5,385

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.27 MNT 4,539

$0.59 MNT 2,092

$2.33 MNT 8,332

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 MNT 2,480

$0.47 MNT 1,688

$0.85 MNT 3,031

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 MNT 6,371

$1.5 MNT 5,352

$1.94 MNT 6,953

Wine (Bottle)

$9.69 MNT 34.7K

$7.57 MNT 27.1K

$12.11 MNT 43.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.33 MNT 4,768

$0.83 MNT 2,980

$1.74 MNT 6,206

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 MNT 6,187

$1.45 MNT 5,197

$2.18 MNT 7,813

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.28 MNT 1,000

$0.14 MNT 518

$0.28 MNT 1,000

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.87 MNT 31.7K

$5.92 MNT 21.2K

$17.74 MNT 63.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 MNT 2,021

$0.42 MNT 1,507

$0.71 MNT 2,535

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 MNT 2,190

$0.77 MNT 2,747

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.74 MNT 17K

$2.07 MNT 7,416

$14.81 MNT 53K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 MNT 3,852

$0.77 MNT 2,762

$1.11 MNT 3,961

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

$29.7K MNT 106.3M

$23.1K MNT 82.6M

$36.4K MNT 130.1M

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

$18.6K MNT 66.3M

$23.4K MNT 83.8M

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

$81.3 MNT 290.9K

$58 MNT 207.3K

$110 MNT 391.6K

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

$7.5 MNT 26.8K

$4.93 MNT 17.6K

$17.4 MNT 62.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.28 MNT 61.8K

$8.96 MNT 32K

$23.88 MNT 85.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.5 MNT 219.8K

$44.25 MNT 158.2K

$88.5 MNT 316.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.49 MNT 48.2K

$5.79 MNT 20.7K

$23.13 MNT 82.7K

Cinema Ticket

$3.94 MNT 14.1K

$3.02 MNT 10.8K

$5.45 MNT 19.5K

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

$173 MNT 620.2K

$101 MNT 361.8K

$289 MNT 1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,337 MNT 22.7M

$1,443 MNT 5.2M

$11.5K MNT 41.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$85.2 MNT 304.5K

$19.02 MNT 68K

$146 MNT 523.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.7 MNT 252.9K

$8.99 MNT 32.2K

$95.9 MNT 342.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 MNT 371.5K

$74.1 MNT 264.9K

$204 MNT 731.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$157 MNT 560.4K

$101 MNT 362.1K

$231 MNT 827.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$526 MNT 1.9M

$408 MNT 1.5M

$595 MNT 2.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$407 MNT 1.5M

$236 MNT 842.2K

$589 MNT 2.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,480 MNT 5.3M

$1,032 MNT 3.7M

$2,358 MNT 8.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$764 MNT 2.7M

$449 MNT 1.6M

$899 MNT 3.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,558 MNT 5.6M

$1,157 MNT 4.1M

$2,313 MNT 8.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$966 MNT 3.5M

$810 MNT 2.9M

$1,100 MNT 3.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$532 MNT 1.9M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar - Frequently Asked Questions

Ulaanbaatar tends to be affordable for daily needs, with flexible housing options, affordable local food, and reasonable transport costs for a capital city. Expats who lock in longer leases in central areas often find good value in well-located apartments, while nomads who use co-working spaces can keep overhead predictable. Winters influence heating and gear costs, so plan for layering and energy-efficient choices. Shopping at local markets saves money and yields fresher produce. The overall feel is practical: you can balance a comfortable lifestyle without a high price tag. Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia helps frame expectations for rent, transit, and meals when planning your stay. Tip: Start with two neighborhoods to compare commute time, noise, and access to services, then negotiate a rent that includes utilities.

Finding a place often means checking listings, visiting in person, and asking for neighbor references; look in central districts for walkable access, or pick outer areas for lower rents. Food options range from hearty local dishes at affordable diners to modern cafes with reliable Wi-Fi; farmers markets and grocery stores offer fresh ingredients that support budget-friendly cooking. Transport is affordable and extensive via buses and minibuses; taxis and rideshares are convenient after hours. For work, many co-working spaces provide day passes or monthly plans; errands like banking and postal service operate in major districts. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia living cost is typically lower for daily staples than in many Western cities, but varies by neighborhood. Tip: sign up for a month-long trial at a co-working space to test your routine.

Quality of life comes down to balance: pick a neighborhood that shortens commutes, gives you access to groceries, cafes, and green space, and matches your pace. Budget with a simple framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities) plus variable categories (food, transit, entertainment). Save by shopping local markets, cooking at home, and using public transit instead of car-based options; consider off-peak travel and off-season housing to reduce costs. Seasonality affects heating needs and garment prices, so pack accordingly and negotiate winter-friendly leases if possible. Tip: try a 2-week or 30-day stay in a few areas to feel the vibe before committing long-term.