Cost Of Living For a Student in Kathmandu 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: NPR
Average monthly spending for students in Kathmandu
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Kathmandu?
Students in Kathmandu spend around 47,000 NPR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 7,100 NPR or as high as 310,000 NPR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kathmandu
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 590 NPR | 890 NPR | 3,500 NPR |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 420 NPR | 560 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 210,000 NPR | 420,000 NPR | 560,000 NPR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 620 NPR | 930 NPR | 1,900 NPR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 280 NPR | 1,900 NPR | 13,000 NPR |
Internet and cable
| 420 NPR | 850 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Mobile phone charges
| 340 NPR | 560 NPR | 1,700 NPR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 740 NPR | 930 NPR | 1,900 NPR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 550 NPR | 770 NPR | 1,200 NPR |
Woman dress
| 520 NPR | 710 NPR | 2,300 NPR |
Woman shoes
| 490 NPR | 660 NPR | 1,500 NPR |
Men's shoes
| 420 NPR | 520 NPR | 1,000 NPR |
Men suit
| 460 NPR | 580 NPR | 3,100 NPR |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 7,700 NPR | 12,000 NPR | 31,000 NPR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 12,000 NPR | 19,000 NPR | 46,000 NPR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 15,000 NPR | 23,000 NPR | 62,000 NPR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 1.5M NPR | 2.3M NPR | 4.6M NPR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.9M NPR | 3.1M NPR | 12M NPR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 3.1M NPR | 9.3M NPR | 19M NPR |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 8,500 NPR | 11,000 NPR | 14,000 NPR |
Double Bed
| 5,600 NPR | 8,500 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Single Bed
| 5,000 NPR | 6,500 NPR | 8,500 NPR |
Living Room
| 9,400 NPR | 12,000 NPR | 42,000 NPR |
Dining Table
| 4,200 NPR | 5,600 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Sofa or Couch
| 5,600 NPR | 7,700 NPR | 17,000 NPR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 5,600 NPR | 8,500 NPR | 17,000 NPR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 5,000 NPR | 7,700 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Washing Machine
| 6,500 NPR | 9,400 NPR | 17,000 NPR |
Stove or Cooker
| 6,000 NPR | 7,700 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Mobile Phone
| 7,100 NPR | 8,500 NPR | 12,000 NPR |
Laptop or Computer
| 7,700 NPR | 9,400 NPR | 17,000 NPR |
How do students spend their money in Kathmandu?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $13 1,700 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $85 11,000 NPR |
| HIGH | $570 75,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Students in Kathmandu typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 11,000 NPR with expenditure ranging from 1,700 NPR to 75,000 NPR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $2.1 280 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $14 1,900 NPR |
| HIGH | $95 13,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kathmandu ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,900 NPR with 280 NPR and 13,000 NPR being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.7 500 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $25 3,300 NPR |
| HIGH | $170 22,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 500 NPR to 22,000 NPR in a month on commuting with 3,300 NPR being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $11 1,400 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $71 9,400 NPR |
| HIGH | $470 63,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Kathmandu is 9,400 NPR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,400 NPR to 63,000 NPR. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.2 430 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $21 2,800 NPR |
| HIGH | $140 19,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Students in Kathmandu allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 430 NPR to 19,000 NPR with 2,800 NPR being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $2.7 350 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $18 2,400 NPR |
| HIGH | $120 16,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 350 NPR to 16,000 NPR with 2,400 NPR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $10 1,300 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $67 8,900 NPR |
| HIGH | $450 60,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 8,900 NPR per month with 1,300 NPR being the minimum spent amount and 60,000 NPR being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $8 1,100 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $53 7,100 NPR |
| HIGH | $350 47,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Kathmandu
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kathmandu?
Around 61% of surveyed students think that living in Kathmandu is affordable with proper budgeting while 39% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Kathmandu
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the students living in Kathmandu have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Kathmandu whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes61%
No39%
Based on the survey, 39% of the students living in Kathmandu said that they don't have an emergency fund while 61% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Nepal
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 student guardians and parents in Kathmandu 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 students of Nepal 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kathmandu
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Kathmandu
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 7,700 NPR | 12,000 NPR | 31,000 NPR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 12,000 NPR | 19,000 NPR | 46,000 NPR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 NPR | 23,000 NPR | 62,000 NPR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 19,000 NPR | 31,000 NPR | 84,000 NPR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 37,000 NPR | 93,000 NPR | 190,000 NPR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 31,000 NPR | 46,000 NPR | 130,000 NPR |
House monthly rent cost
| 37,000 NPR | 93,000 NPR | 190,000 NPR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 46,000 NPR | 120,000 NPR | 190,000 NPR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kathmandu ranges between 7,700 NPR and 31,000 NPR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 12,000 NPR to 46,000 NPR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 15,000 NPR and 62,000 NPR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 19,000 NPR to 84,000 NPR. The average rent of a townhouse in Kathmandu is around 46,000 NPR while house rental costs can be as high as 93,000 NPR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 46,000 NPR to 190,000 NPR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Kathmandu
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 1.5M NPR | 2.3M NPR | 4.6M NPR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 1.9M NPR | 3.1M NPR | 12M NPR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 3.1M NPR | 9.3M NPR | 19M NPR |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $78,000 | $120,000 | $350,000 |
Townhouse price
| $100,000 | $230,000 | $870,000 |
House price
| $120,000 | $700,000 | $1,000,000 |
Villa price
| 19M NPR | 100M NPR | 150M NPR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Kathmandu can range from 1.5M NPR to 4.6M NPR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.9M NPR to 12M NPR. A villa can cost you 100M NPR on average with prices ranging from 19M NPR to 150M NPR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kathmandu will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 39 | x112 monthly income | 228 |
Property prices in Kathmandu can be x112 to x228 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x112 multiples of the average monthly salary in Kathmandu.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Kathmandu is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 46% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
32% 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.
| 140 NPR | 1,800 NPR | 18,000 NPR |
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.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Kathmandu
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kathmandu
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 280 NPR | 1,900 NPR | 13,000 NPR |
Internet and cable cost
| 420 NPR | 850 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 340 NPR | 560 NPR | 1,700 NPR |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 1,900 NPR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 420 NPR to 1,100 NPR with 850 NPR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 560 NPR but can range between 340 NPR and 1,700 NPR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Kathmandu is around 6.9%. This means that people pay 6.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.4% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kathmandu
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kathmandu
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kathmandu is approximatly 170 NPR with meal cost ranging from 85 NPR to 280 NPR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 300 NPR and 890 NPR with 440 NPR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kathmandu.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 590 NPR | 890 NPR | 3,500 NPR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 590 NPR to 3,500 NPR with the average cost being 890 NPR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kathmandu.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kathmandu is around 110 NPR. Price ranges between 71 NPR and 170 NPR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Kathmandu is 68 NPR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 85 NPR and the minimum being 56 NPR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 56 NPR on average with 42 NPR and 85 NPR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kathmandu is between 96 NPR and 180 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
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 170 NPR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Kathmandu costs around 62 NPR on average with prices rangeing between 46 NPR and 88 NPR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 17 NPR to 42 NPR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 40 NPR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kathmandu is around 31%. This means that students spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 38% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,400 NPR to 63,000 NPR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
