Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $658 (excluding rent), and $1,155 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,582 (excluding rent), and $2,377 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.59 MNT 19.9K

$4.01 MNT 14.2K

$7.43 MNT 26.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.5 MNT 104.8K

$20.65 MNT 73.3K

$73.7 MNT 262K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.28 MNT 18.8K

$4.58 MNT 16.3K

$6.01 MNT 21.4K

Cappuccino

$2.56 MNT 9,102

$2.19 MNT 7,767

$3.49 MNT 12.4K

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

$0.72 MNT 2,566

$0.58 MNT 2,046

$1.43 MNT 5,098

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 MNT 1,808

$0.3 MNT 1,070

$0.91 MNT 3,247

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.08 MNT 7,387

$1.19 MNT 4,232

$4.45 MNT 15.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 MNT 8,270

$1.46 MNT 5,173

$2.91 MNT 10.3K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 MNT 5,299

$1.36 MNT 4,824

$1.67 MNT 5,921

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 MNT 3,462

$0.72 MNT 2,562

$1.72 MNT 6,127

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.1 MNT 7,475

$1.49 MNT 5,283

$2.97 MNT 10.6K

Eggs

$2.09 MNT 7,412

$1.59 MNT 5,637

$2.42 MNT 8,595

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.04 MNT 57K

$7.47 MNT 26.5K

$34.23 MNT 121.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.62 MNT 20K

$2.86 MNT 10.2K

$8.69 MNT 30.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.18 MNT 22K

$4.31 MNT 15.3K

$8.33 MNT 29.6K

Apples (1kg)

$3.06 MNT 10.9K

$1.9 MNT 6,743

$4.38 MNT 15.6K

Banana (1kg)

$2.65 MNT 9,416

$2.12 MNT 7,547

$3.57 MNT 12.7K

Oranges (1kg)

$4.42 MNT 15.7K

$3.26 MNT 11.6K

$6.57 MNT 23.3K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.77 MNT 9,824

$2.16 MNT 7,657

$3.59 MNT 12.7K

Potato (1kg)

$0.76 MNT 2,709

$0.27 MNT 952

$0.91 MNT 3,222

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 MNT 3,765

$0.75 MNT 2,679

$1.5 MNT 5,322

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.29 MNT 4,589

$0.6 MNT 2,115

$2.37 MNT 8,426

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.7 MNT 2,473

$0.47 MNT 1,683

$0.85 MNT 3,022

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.71 MNT 6,090

$1.44 MNT 5,116

$1.87 MNT 6,647

Wine (Bottle)

$9.85 MNT 35K

$8.44 MNT 30K

$11.26 MNT 40K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 MNT 4,783

$0.84 MNT 2,990

$1.75 MNT 6,226

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 MNT 6,356

$1.5 MNT 5,339

$2.26 MNT 8,027

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.28 MNT 990

$0.14 MNT 512

$0.28 MNT 990

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.9 MNT 31.6K

$5.94 MNT 21.1K

$17.81 MNT 63.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 MNT 2,030

$0.43 MNT 1,514

$0.72 MNT 2,545

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 MNT 2,187

$0.77 MNT 2,742

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.65 MNT 16.5K

$2.03 MNT 7,218

$14.51 MNT 51.5K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 MNT 3,845

$0.78 MNT 2,757

$1.11 MNT 3,954

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

$30.6K MNT 108.8M

$23.8K MNT 84.5M

$37.4K MNT 133M

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

$18.7K MNT 66.4M

$23.6K MNT 83.9M

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

$83.4 MNT 296.4K

$59.5 MNT 211.3K

$112 MNT 399.1K

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

$7.77 MNT 27.6K

$5.11 MNT 18.1K

$18.04 MNT 64.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.23 MNT 61.2K

$8.93 MNT 31.7K

$23.8 MNT 84.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.6 MNT 215.3K

$43.62 MNT 155K

$87.3 MNT 310K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.81 MNT 49.1K

$5.93 MNT 21.1K

$23.69 MNT 84.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.8 MNT 13.5K

$2.92 MNT 10.4K

$5.26 MNT 18.7K

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

$179 MNT 635.6K

$104 MNT 370.8K

$298 MNT 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,555 MNT 23.3M

$1,492 MNT 5.3M

$11.9K MNT 42.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$84.1 MNT 298.9K

$18.79 MNT 66.8K

$145 MNT 513.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$69.5 MNT 246.9K

$8.83 MNT 31.4K

$94.2 MNT 334.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 MNT 369K

$74.1 MNT 263.2K

$204 MNT 726.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$160 MNT 568.2K

$103 MNT 367.1K

$236 MNT 839.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$515 MNT 1.8M

$400 MNT 1.4M

$583 MNT 2.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$400 MNT 1.4M

$232 MNT 822.6K

$579 MNT 2.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,491 MNT 5.3M

$1,039 MNT 3.7M

$2,376 MNT 8.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$757 MNT 2.7M

$445 MNT 1.6M

$890 MNT 3.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,772 MNT 6.3M

$1,369 MNT 4.9M

$2,190 MNT 7.8M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$892 MNT 3.2M

$753 MNT 2.7M

$980 MNT 3.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$534 MNT 1.9M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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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.