What is the cost of living in Kathmandu?

The cost of living in Kathmandu is 84.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 15.5). Groceries are 75.6% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 78.8% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately NPR 33,830 per month. Local purchasing power index is 34.6 (NYC = 100).

🇳🇵 Nepal · #534 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Kathmandu?

Q: Should I move to Kathmandu?

Kathmandu, Nepal has a cost of living 84.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 15.5). It is ranked #534 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is very weak (index: 34.6 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

84.5% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-84.5%

vs NYC

NPR 33,830

1-BR, city centre

34.6

Purchasing Power

Very weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Kathmandu?

Cost breakdown: Kathmandu

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

15.5 Very affordable

Rent

4.4 Very affordable

Groceries

24.4 Very affordable

Restaurants

21.2 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

34.6 Very weak

Rent in Kathmandu

1-BR, city centre NPR 33,830/mo

1-BR, outside centre NPR 15,593/mo

3-BR, city centre NPR 65,943/mo

3-BR, outside centre NPR 30,323/mo

Save by going outside centre 54% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇮🇳 Thane

India

CoL index 15.3

Compare Thane vs Kathmandu →

🇮🇳 Pune

India

CoL index 15.2

Compare Pune vs Kathmandu →

🇧🇩 Dhaka

Bangladesh

CoL index 16.4

Compare Dhaka vs Kathmandu →

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Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Kathmandu after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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