Cost Of Living For a Student in Nepal 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: NPR
Average monthly spending for students in Nepal
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Nepal?
Students in Nepal spend around 41,000 NPR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 6,200 NPR or as high as 270,000 NPR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Nepal
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 540 NPR | 810 NPR | 3,200 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
| 410 NPR | 540 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 200,000 NPR | 410,000 NPR | 540,000 NPR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 540 NPR | 810 NPR | 1,600 NPR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 250 NPR | 1,600 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Internet and cable
| 410 NPR | 810 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Mobile phone charges
| 320 NPR | 540 NPR | 1,600 NPR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 650 NPR | 810 NPR | 1,600 NPR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 480 NPR | 680 NPR | 1,000 NPR |
Woman dress
| 450 NPR | 620 NPR | 2,000 NPR |
Woman shoes
| 430 NPR | 580 NPR | 1,400 NPR |
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 410 NPR | 510 NPR | 2,700 NPR |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 6,800 NPR | 10,000 NPR | 27,000 NPR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 10,000 NPR | 16,000 NPR | 41,000 NPR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 14,000 NPR | 20,000 NPR | 54,000 NPR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.6M NPR | 2.7M NPR | 10M NPR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 2.7M NPR | 8.1M NPR | 16M NPR |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 8,100 NPR | 10,000 NPR | 14,000 NPR |
Double Bed
| 5,400 NPR | 8,100 NPR | 10,000 NPR |
Single Bed
| 4,800 NPR | 6,200 NPR | 8,100 NPR |
Living Room
| 9,000 NPR | 12,000 NPR | 41,000 NPR |
Dining Table
| 4,100 NPR | 5,400 NPR | 10,000 NPR |
Sofa or Couch
| 5,400 NPR | 7,400 NPR | 16,000 NPR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 5,400 NPR | 8,100 NPR | 16,000 NPR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 4,800 NPR | 7,400 NPR | 10,000 NPR |
Washing Machine
| 6,200 NPR | 9,000 NPR | 16,000 NPR |
Stove or Cooker
| 5,800 NPR | 7,400 NPR | 10,000 NPR |
Mobile Phone
| 6,800 NPR | 8,100 NPR | 12,000 NPR |
Laptop or Computer
| 7,400 NPR | 9,000 NPR | 16,000 NPR |
How do students spend their money in Nepal?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $11 1,500 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $74 9,900 NPR |
| HIGH | $500 66,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Students in Nepal typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 9,900 NPR with expenditure ranging from 1,500 NPR to 66,000 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 | $1.9 250 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $12 1,600 NPR |
| HIGH | $83 11,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Nepal ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,600 NPR with 250 NPR and 11,000 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 | $3.3 430 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $22 2,900 NPR |
| HIGH | $140 19,000 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 430 NPR to 19,000 NPR in a month on commuting with 2,900 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 | $9.3 1,200 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $62 8,200 NPR |
| HIGH | $410 55,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Nepal is 8,200 NPR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,200 NPR to 55,000 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 | $2.8 370 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $19 2,500 NPR |
| HIGH | $120 16,000 NPR |
| Per Month |
Students in Nepal 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 370 NPR to 16,000 NPR with 2,500 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 | $2.3 310 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $15 2,100 NPR |
| HIGH | $100 14,000 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 310 NPR to 14,000 NPR with 2,100 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 | $8.9 1,200 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $59 7,800 NPR |
| HIGH | $390 52,000 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 7,800 NPR per month with 1,200 NPR being the minimum spent amount and 52,000 NPR being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $7 930 NPR |
| AVERAGE | $46 6,200 NPR |
| HIGH | $310 41,000 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 Nepal
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Nepal?
Around 53% of surveyed students 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.
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 students 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 students 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.
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 Nepal whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes53%
No47%
Based on the survey, 47% of the students living in Nepal said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% 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 Nepal 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 Nepal
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Nepal
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 6,800 NPR | 10,000 NPR | 27,000 NPR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 10,000 NPR | 16,000 NPR | 41,000 NPR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 14,000 NPR | 20,000 NPR | 54,000 NPR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 16,000 NPR | 27,000 NPR | 74,000 NPR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 32,000 NPR | 81,000 NPR | 160,000 NPR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 27,000 NPR | 41,000 NPR | 120,000 NPR |
House monthly rent cost
| 32,000 NPR | 81,000 NPR | 160,000 NPR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 41,000 NPR | 100,000 NPR | 160,000 NPR |
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-bedroom apartment price
| 1.6M NPR | 2.7M NPR | 10M NPR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 2.7M NPR | 8.1M NPR | 16M NPR |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $68,000 | $100,000 | $310,000 |
Townhouse price
| $87,000 | $200,000 | $760,000 |
House price
| $100,000 | $610,000 | $870,000 |
Villa price
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.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Nepal 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
| 34 | x98 monthly income | 199 |
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
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
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.
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
28% 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.
| 120 NPR | 1,600 NPR | 16,000 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 Nepal
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Nepal
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 250 NPR | 1,600 NPR | 11,000 NPR |
Internet and cable cost
| 410 NPR | 810 NPR | 1,100 NPR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 320 NPR | 540 NPR | 1,600 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 1,600 NPR. The cost of internet and WiFi 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
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
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
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
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
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
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 |
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..
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Nepal is around 27%. This means that students 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 students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,200 NPR to 55,000 NPR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
