Cost Of Living in Nepal 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Nepal

Whether you're living in Nepal or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Nepal is 56,000 NPR. Expenses can range from 7,800 NPR at the minimum level to 370,000 NPR at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Nepal is 93,000 NPR. Expenditure can range from 31,000 NPR to 500,000 NPR per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Nepal is 120,000 NPR per month. Families spend anywhere from 43,000 NPR to 800,000 NPR.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Nepal is 41,000 NPR. Students spend from 6,200 NPR to 270,000 NPR per month.

How do people spend their money in Nepal?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Nepal typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 24,000 NPR with expenditure ranging from 1,900 NPR to 240,000 NPR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Nepal ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,000 NPR with 310 NPR and 40,000 NPR being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 620 NPR to 80,000 NPR on commuting with 8,000 NPR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Nepal is 20,000 NPR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,500 NPR to 200,000 NPR. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

People in Nepal allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 430 NPR to 56,000 NPR with 5,600 NPR being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 250 NPR to 32,000 NPR with 3,200 NPR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 4,800 NPR per month with 370 NPR being the minimum spent amount and 48,000 NPR being the maximum.

Financial goals of people in Nepal

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Nepal, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 39% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Nepal

Rent Cost in Nepal

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

6,800 NPR

10,000 NPR

27,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$51

$76

$200

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

10,000 NPR

16,000 NPR

41,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$76

$120

$310

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

14,000 NPR

20,000 NPR

54,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100

$150

$410

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

16,000 NPR

27,000 NPR

74,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120

$200

$550

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

32,000 NPR

81,000 NPR

160,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$240

$610

$1,200

Townhouse monthly rent cost

27,000 NPR

41,000 NPR

120,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200

$310

$870

House monthly rent cost

32,000 NPR

81,000 NPR

160,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$240

$610

$1,200

Villa monthly rent cost

41,000 NPR

100,000 NPR

160,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$310

$760

$1,200

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Nepal ranges between 6,800 NPR and 27,000 NPR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 10,000 NPR to 41,000 NPR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 14,000 NPR and 54,000 NPR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 16,000 NPR to 74,000 NPR. The average rent of a townhouse in Nepal is around 41,000 NPR while house rental costs can be as high as 81,000 NPR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 41,000 NPR to 160,000 NPR per month.

Apartment and house prices in Nepal

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1.4M NPR

2M NPR

4.1M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$10,000

$15,000

$31,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.6M NPR

2.7M NPR

10M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12,000

$20,000

$76,000

2-bedroom apartment price

2.7M NPR

8.1M NPR

16M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$20,000

$61,000

$120,000

3-bedroom apartment price

9M NPR

14M NPR

41M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$68,000

$100,000

$310,000

Townhouse price

12M NPR

27M NPR

100M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$87,000

$200,000

$760,000

House price

14M NPR

81M NPR

120M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100,000

$610,000

$870,000

Villa price

16M NPR

90M NPR

140M NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120,000

$680,000

$1M

The average price of a studio apartment in Nepal can range from 1.4M NPR to 4.1M NPR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.6M NPR to 10M NPR. A villa can cost you 90M NPR on average with prices ranging from 16M NPR to 140M NPR.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Nepal can be x98 to x199 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x98 multiples of the average monthly salary in Nepal.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Nepal is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Nepal

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 27% of the people in Nepal have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Nepal

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 31% of the people's monthly income in Nepal goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Nepal pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Nepal

10% of debtors in Nepal confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 18% of people and personal loans rose at 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Nepal.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Nepal

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

How much money can you save in Nepal every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Nepal manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 59% of the surveyed people in Nepal said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 41% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Nepal

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 11% to 31% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 25,000 NPR on average with savings ranging from 1,900 NPR to 250,000 NPR.

59% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 54% of couples said the same. 49% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Nepal?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 14% to 33% of their monthly income to savings, with 22% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 17,000 NPR with 1,900 NPR and 110,000 NPR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 12% to 32% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 29,000 NPR with 9,600 NPR and 150,000 NPR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Nepal can save anywhere between 10% to 28% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 38,000 NPR with 13,000 NPR and 250,000 NPR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Typical saving choices for people in Nepal

Where do people choose to put their savings?

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy48%

We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 52% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 48% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 42% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 58% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance42%

Easily manages finances58%

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Nepal

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Nepal is 86% This means that on average, people spend around 86% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
77%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

70%

85%

Couple
82%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

74%

89%

Family
90%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

82%

99%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Nepal

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Nepal and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Nepal

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes53%

No47%

Based on the survey, 47% of the people living in Nepal said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% said that they do.

Low-cost alternatives in Nepal

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options57%

Few low-cost options43%

Based on the survey, 57% of the people living in Nepal have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Nepal

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Nepal?

Around 53% of surveyed residents think that living in Nepal is affordable with proper budgeting while 47% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Saving Challenges in Nepal

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Nepal. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Nepal

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Nepal

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

470 NPR

3,300 NPR

22,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.5

$25

$170

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

1,200 NPR

4,200 NPR

27,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$9.3

$31

$210

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

2,200 NPR

6,200 NPR

40,000 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$16

$47

$300

Internet and cable cost

410 NPR

810 NPR

1,100 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.1

$6.1

$8.1

Mobile phone bill and charges

320 NPR

540 NPR

1,600 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.4

$4.1

$12

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Nepal ranges between 470 NPR and 22,000 NPR with average being 3,300 NPR, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 4,200 NPR with 1,200 NPR and 27,000 NPR being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 6,200 NPR. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 410 NPR to 1,100 NPR with 810 NPR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 540 NPR but can range between 320 NPR and 1,600 NPR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Nepal is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Nepal

Prices and cost of goods and services in Nepal

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

81 NPR

160 NPR

270 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.61

$1.2

$2

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Nepal is approximatly 160 NPR with meal cost ranging from 81 NPR to 270 NPR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

270 NPR

410 NPR

810 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2

$3.1

$6.1

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 270 NPR and 810 NPR with 410 NPR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Nepal.

Fine dining meal for one price

540 NPR

810 NPR

3,200 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.1

$6.1

$24

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 540 NPR to 3,200 NPR with the average cost being 810 NPR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Nepal.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

68 NPR

110 NPR

160 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.51

$0.81

$1.2

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Nepal is around 110 NPR. Price ranges between 68 NPR and 160 NPR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

54 NPR

65 NPR

81 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.41

$0.49

$0.61

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Nepal is 65 NPR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 81 NPR and the minimum being 54 NPR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

41 NPR

54 NPR

81 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.31

$0.41

$0.61

A dozen eggs costs around 54 NPR on average with 41 NPR and 81 NPR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

92 NPR

120 NPR

170 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.69

$0.90

$1.3

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Nepal is between 92 NPR and 170 NPR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 120 NPR.

Pack of beef price

110 NPR

160 NPR

320 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.81

$1.2

$2.4

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 160 NPR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

44 NPR

60 NPR

84 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.33

$0.45

$0.64

A bag of rice in Nepal costs around 60 NPR on average with prices rangeing between 44 NPR and 84 NPR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

16 NPR

22 NPR

41 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.12

$0.16

$0.31

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 16 NPR to 41 NPR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

29 NPR

38 NPR

62 NPR

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.22

$0.29

$0.47

A bag of apples costs 38 NPR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Nepal is around 27%. This means that people spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 8,900 NPR per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 1,200 NPR and 59,000 NPR depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 13,000 NPR per month. That number can be get as low as 4,300 NPR or a high as 69,000 NPR. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 7,800 NPR to 140,000 NPR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Nepal

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Nepal

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Nepal

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Nepal