Capital city in Bagmati Province, Nepal
Cost of living in Kathmandu
How much a month costs in Kathmandu
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $584–908 (Rs90,000–140,000).
Prices in Kathmandu
Typical 2026 ranges in NPR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | NPR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Rs25,000–50,000 | $162–324 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Rs15,000–30,000 | $97–195 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Rs600–1,500 | $3.9–9.7 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Rs3,500–8,000 | $23–52 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Rs200–450 | $1.3–2.9 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Rs900–2,000 | $5.8–13.0 |
| Cappuccino | Rs200–400 | $1.3–2.6 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Rs400–800 | $2.6–5.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Rs20–50 | $0.13–0.32 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Rs250–600 | $1.6–3.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | Rs3,000–7,000 | $19–45 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Rs800–1,500 | $5.2–9.7 |
Value for money: 91/100
A value score of 91/100 means Kathmandu gives more quality of life per dollar than 90% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 51/100. It's the 5th most affordable of 7 places we cover in Nepal.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Nepal
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
Cheaper alternatives to Kathmandu
Similar safety, lower cost, in South Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hampi | India | $291–467 |
| Darjeeling | India | $332–519 |
| Mysore | India | $363–571 |
| Dharamshala | India | $394–674 |
| Pondicherry | India | $415–674 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Kathmandu?
About $324–454 on a lean budget, $584–908 for a comfortable month and $1,300–2,270 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Kathmandu?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Rs25,000–50,000 ($162–324) a month in the center and Rs15,000–30,000 ($97–195) outside it.
How much does food cost in Kathmandu?
A local meal is Rs200–450 ($1.3–2.9); a mid-range restaurant is Rs900–2,000 ($5.8–13.0) per person.
Is Nepal expensive?
Prices in Nepal are about 24% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Kathmandu
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Nepal Tourism Board
- Nepal Immigration (arrival form)
- Tribhuvan International Airport
- CIWEC Hospital
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.