Kathmandu, Nepal

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Cost of living in Kathmandu

Real monthly costs in Kathmandu, Nepal — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Kathmandu ranks 2nd of 3 priced cities in Nepal on cost — $259 a month in essentials, 58% above Butwal, the cheapest. The average net salary of $273 covers that 1.1×. 97.4 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at local level level. PM2.5 averages 32.5 µg/m³ a year, 6× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 11°C, Aug 24°C.

Essentials / mo$259rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women97.4ages 20–39, local level level
Avg net salary$273monthly, after tax

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$98
Rent, 1-bed city centre$207
Groceries$55
Dining out$59
Utilities$39
Local transport$8
Essentials / mo$259
Avg net salary$273
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$189
Rent, 3-bed city centre$404

Single person, USD. Data updated July 29, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Kathmandu, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.96
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$19.60
McMeal at McDonald's$7.19
Cappuccino, regular$1.57
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$3.27
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$3.27
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.59
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.16

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$0.74
White bread, 500 g$0.60
White rice, 1 kg$0.90
Eggs, 12$1.63
Local cheese, 1 kg$6.32
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$3.07
Apples, 1 kg$2.04
Bananas, 1 kg$1.04
Tomatoes, 1 kg$0.57
Potatoes, 1 kg$0.41
Onions, 1 kg$0.56
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.23

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.20
Monthly transit pass$9.80
Taxi start$1.96
Taxi, 1 km$1.18
Gasoline, 1 L$1.30
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$31.64
Internet, 60 Mbps+$7.61
Mobile plan, monthly$3.41

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$21.57
Cinema, one seat$2.94

Dating-age sex ratio

Kathmandu has 97.4 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (local level level). That is the 2nd-highest of 8 Nepal cities we track. Nepal's national figure is 83.8, so Kathmandu runs 14 above the country as a whole.

A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.

Climate & air

Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.

Air qualityPM2.5 32.5µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month24°CAug
Coolest month11°CJan
Wettest month825 mmJul
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan10.8°C9.5°C77%47%45 mm
Feb13.6°C12.8°C74%45%48 mm
Mar17.3°C17.2°C67%39%68 mm
Apr20.4°C21.1°C65%42%91 mm
May21.6°C24°C78%55%230 mm
Jun23.7°C27.8°C86%76%454 mm
Jul23.9°C28.5°C90%95%825 mm
Aug24°C28.5°C89%93%640 mm
Sep23.3°C27.2°C87%83%423 mm
Oct20.4°C22.5°C81%50%117 mm
Nov16.1°C16.4°C80%41%16 mm
Dec12.5°C11.7°C78%38%18 mm

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