Kathmandu, Nepal

Cost of Living in Kathmandu, Nepal

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Kathmandu costs approximately $431 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $185. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Kathmandu is a city in Nepal, where a single person can expect to spend about $431 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $185 per month, or $87 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 59 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Kathmandu scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 81°F and winter highs around 65°F, with roughly 350 sunny days a year.

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Monthly Cost$431≈ $14/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$185
Internet59 Mbps
Safety58/100
Avg Temp73°F

Kathmandu Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$1.72
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$17.18
McDonald's Combo Meal$6.18
Cappuccino$1.68
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.61
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.16

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$0.81
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$0.50
Eggs (12)$1.80
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$1.39
Apples (1 lb)$0.99
Bananas (1 lb)$0.48
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.31
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.20
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.24
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$6.87
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$2.75

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.21
Monthly Transit Pass$10.31
Taxi Start$1.72
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.21
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.16
VW Golf (New)$30,923.58

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$30.52
Mobile Phone Plan$4.12
Broadband Internet$8.14

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$20.46
Cinema Ticket$3.09
Preschool (Monthly)$68.72
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$4,854.74

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$21.77
Nike Running Shoes$57.76

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$184.78
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$87.40
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$441.43
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$179.98
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$224.80
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$132.26

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$240.75
Mortgage Interest Rate10%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,254.50
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$343.20

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Kathmandu

Internet59 Mbps
Safety58/100
Healthcare56/100
Public Transit18/100
Walkability45/100
Nightlife30/100
Food Scene68/100
Fine Dining3/100
Coffee Culture28/100
Air Quality61/100
Green Spaces35/100
Culture85/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking98/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces12
US Visa-Free30 days

Kathmandu FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Kathmandu?

A single person should budget around $431 per month in Kathmandu, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $1,255 per month.

How much is rent in Kathmandu?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Kathmandu averages $185 per month, dropping to about $87 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $441.

Is Kathmandu safe?

Kathmandu scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 60/100.

How fast is the internet in Kathmandu?

Median download speeds in Kathmandu are around 59 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 12 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Nepal offer a digital nomad visa?

Nepal does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 30 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Kathmandu?

Kathmandu sees summer highs around 81°F and winter highs near 65°F, with about 350 sunny days and 177 rainy days per year.

Kathmandu in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Nepal

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