Kathmandu Cost of Living 2026
Nepal · Big city — far cheaper than the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Kathmandu price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rs270$2 | Rs189 – Rs432 | Rs518+ |
| Street food1 item | Rs120$0.89 | Rs72 – Rs216 | Rs259+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rs940$6.96 | Rs658 – Rs1,504 | Rs1,805+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | Rs180$1.33 | Rs108 – Rs324 | Rs389+ |
| Coffeeone cup | Rs200$1.48 | Rs120 – Rs320 | Rs384+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | Rs200$1.48 | Rs120 – Rs360 | Rs432+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rs100$0.74 | Rs60 – Rs190 | Rs228+ |
| Bottled water | Rs40$0.3 | Rs28 – Rs80 | Rs96+ |
| Beerone bottle | Rs340$2.52 | Rs204 – Rs578 | Rs694+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rs880$6.52 | Rs528 – Rs1,496 | Rs1,795+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rs340$2.52 | Rs272 – Rs544 | Rs653+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rs200$1.48 | Rs140 – Rs360 | Rs432+ |
| Transitone ride | Rs27$0.2 | Rs24 – Rs35 | Rs42+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rs1,100$8.15 | Rs770 – Rs1,760 | Rs2,112+ |
| Hotel night3-star | Rs3,400$25.2 | Rs2,040 – Rs5,440 | Rs6,528+ |
| Laundry | Rs200$1.48 | Rs140 – Rs320 | Rs384+ |
| SIM card1 week data | Rs680$5.04 | Rs476 – Rs1,156 | Rs1,387+ |
| Haircutcut | Rs560$4.15 | Rs336 – Rs1,008 | Rs1,210+ |
| Massage1 hour | Rs1,600$11.9 | Rs1,120 – Rs2,560 | Rs3,072+ |
| Half-day tourper person | Rs3,400$25.2 | Rs2,380 – Rs5,440 | Rs6,528+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rs1,400$10.4 | Rs1,120 – Rs1,960 | Rs2,352+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate Rs135 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Kathmandu
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Kathmandu for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $571) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $368) comes to roughly $939 a month. A local long-term lease (studio Rs34,000) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Kathmandu?
A mid-range room (about $25.9 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $48.4 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Kathmandu is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect Rs272 – Rs544. Anything above Rs653 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Kathmandu?
Coffee about Rs200 ($1.48), a local meal about Rs270 ($2), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about Rs940.