Are you considering a move to Kathmandu, Nepal, and wondering about the cost of living? Kathmandu is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Kathmandu and help you understand whether $917 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $225.52.
|
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
2.2 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
22.47 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
7.48 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
2.25 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.0 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
1.54 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.46 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.18 $ |
|
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
0.83 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
0.54 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
0.78 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.52 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
8.76 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
3.25 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
4.55 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.49 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
1.35 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
0.76 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
0.5 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
0.64 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
0.33 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.25 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
5.99 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.25 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.32 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
3.0 $ |
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|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.22 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
8.0 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
2.25 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
0.95 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
3.74 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.35 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
32574.29 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
47550.98 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
33.71 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
10.83 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
25.28 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
10.27 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
3.56 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
95.39 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
3407.2 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
27.84 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
36.06 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
53.04 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
41.29 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
211.95 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
125.27 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
409.48 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
254.94 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
2025.18 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
1178.4 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
225.52 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
13.84 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Kathmandu come to a total of approximately $917. This includes an average monthly rent of around $211 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $39 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $338 per month.
Living in Kathmandu appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $225.52. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Kathmandu, you would likely need an income exceeding $225.52.
In Kathmandu, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $225.52, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Kathmandu is approximately $211. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $125.27 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Kathmandu can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $262 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Nepal can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Nepal.
Kathmandu is a relatively safe city to travel to. Though its crime rates are not very high and it's filled with friendly people, its greatest dangers lie in nature, so be very cautious when exploring this country.
Transport is somewhat risky in Kathmandu. Be sure to check on current road conditions before leaving Kathmandu. As of April 2010, long-haul bus trips through the Eastern Terai should be avoided due to the risk of Maoist activity in this area.
Pickpockets and bag snatching is a very common issue in Kathmandu. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.
When it comes to natural disasters, Kathmandu is susceptible to an entire range of them, such as floods, landslides, fires, epidemic, earthquakes, avalanches, windstorms and droughts.
There are some areas where cases of mugging have been reported, though violent crime rates are low and foreigners are rarely targeted.
Although Kathmandu has experienced no significant terrorist attacks, it has an open border with India and weak border controls which makes way for the concerns that international terrorist groups could reside in Nepal and use it as a transit state.
As in any country, there is the risk of getting scammed. You can get overcharged by everyone: street vendors, taxi and bus drivers, and accommodation owners. Double-check every information and payor negotiate everything in advance.
Kathmandu is mostly safe for solo female travelers, though some Nepali men often have strange ideas about the morality of Western women, due to seeing them a certain way in movies and TV shows. Follow basic common sense and avoid walking alone at night and in poorly lit and secluded areas.
Visas for Kathmandu are handed out upon arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu and at all borders open to foreigners: all you need is passport photos on hand and to pay the visa fee. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and that you have an entire blank page in your passport. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Nepali embassy for further information.
Nepalese rupee is the official currency in Kathmandu. Bear in mind that though ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu, they are almost impossible to find in rural areas.
The climate in Kathmandu is mild and generally warm and temperate. The summers are much rainier than the winters here. During summer, which lasts from June to August, you can expect the monsoon season when the hills are covered with lush, green vegetation.
Tribhuvan International Airport is the busiest, and at the same time, the only airport serving the country of Nepal. It is located about 6 km from the center of Kathmandu, in the Kathmandu valley.
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Kathmandu, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 65°F | 69°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 83°F | 82°F | 82°F | 81°F | 79°F | 73°F | 67°F |
| Temp | 49°F | 54°F | 61°F | 68°F | 72°F | 75°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 67°F | 58°F | 51°F |
| Low | 38°F | 42°F | 48°F | 55°F | 62°F | 68°F | 69°F | 68°F | 66°F | 57°F | 47°F | 40°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 18°C | 20°C | 24°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 22°C | 19°C |
| Temp | 9°C | 12°C | 16°C | 20°C | 22°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C | 19°C | 14°C | 10°C |
| Low | 3°C | 5°C | 8°C | 12°C | 16°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 18°C | 13°C | 8°C | 4°C |