Capital city, Mongolia
Cost of living in Ulaanbaatar
How much a month costs in Ulaanbaatar
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $825–1,370 (₮3M–5M).
Prices in Ulaanbaatar
Typical 2026 ranges in MNT, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MNT | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | ₮1.5M–3M | $412–825 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | ₮800,000–1.5M | $220–412 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | ₮25,000–50,000 | $6.9–13.7 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | ₮120,000–300,000 | $33–82 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | ₮8,000–18,000 | $2.2–4.9 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | ₮30,000–70,000 | $8.2–19.2 |
| Cappuccino | ₮8,000–14,000 | $2.2–3.8 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | ₮6,000–12,000 | $1.6–3.3 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | ₮500–1,000 | $0.14–0.27 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | ₮6,000–12,000 | $1.6–3.3 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | ₮100,000–250,000 | $27–69 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | ₮20,000–40,000 | $5.5–11.0 |
Value for money: 52/100
A value score of 52/100 means Ulaanbaatar gives more quality of life per dollar than 51% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 40/100. It's the 4th most affordable of 4 places we cover in Mongolia.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Mongolia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Terelj | $550–962 | 91/100 |
| Gobi Desert | $687–1,240 | 79/100 |
| Lake Khuvsgul | $687–1,240 | 78/100 |
| Ulaanbaatar | $825–1,370 | 52/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Ulaanbaatar
Similar safety, lower cost, in East Asia.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Ulaanbaatar?
About $412–605 on a lean budget, $825–1,370 for a comfortable month and $1,790–2,750 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Ulaanbaatar?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs ₮1.5M–3M ($412–825) a month in the center and ₮800,000–1.5M ($220–412) outside it.
How much does food cost in Ulaanbaatar?
A local meal is ₮8,000–18,000 ($2.2–4.9); a mid-range restaurant is ₮30,000–70,000 ($8.2–19.2) per person.
Is Mongolia expensive?
Prices in Mongolia are about 34% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Ulaanbaatar
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Mongolia National Tourism Organization
- SOS Medica Mongolia
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.