Cost of living in Nepal compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nepal is 20% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨ 615 (₨387) | ₨425 | - 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨ 490 (₨309) | ₨363 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨ 374 (₨235) | ₨180 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨ 115 (₨73) | ₨61 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨ 230 (₨145) | ₨102 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨ 91 (₨57) | ₨44 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨ 623 (₨393) | ₨250 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨ 290 (₨183) | ₨194 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨ 49 (₨31) | ₨41 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨ 304 (₨191) | ₨162 | + 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨ 2,266 (₨1,427) | ₨941 | + 52% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨ 245 (₨154) | ₨92 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨ 103 (₨65) | ₨40 | + 64% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Nepal is 4% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨ 86,955 (₨54,755) | ₨46,262 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨ 37,489 (₨23,607) | ₨29,291 | - 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨ 5,538 (₨3,487) | ₨5,648 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨ 52,289 (₨32,926) | ₨29,589 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨ 30,300 (₨19,080) | ₨17,760 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨ 3,000 (₨1,889) | ₨4,874 | - 61% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨ 1,124 (₨708) | ₨727 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨ 53,677 (₨33,800) | ₨25,901 | + 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 21,845 (₨13,756) | ₨12,652 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨ 2,500 (₨1,574) | ₨511 | + 208% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨ 500 (₨315) | ₨523 | - 40% | |
| Clothes | + 71% | |||
| Clothes in Nepal is 71% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨ 3,288 (₨2,071) | ₨2,399 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨ 8,999 (₨5,667) | ₨2,579 | + 120% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 8,704 (₨5,481) | ₨4,001 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨ 7,999 (₨5,037) | ₨2,864 | + 76% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in Nepal is 12% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨ 5,331,140 (₨3,356,977) | ₨1,701,050 | + 97% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨ 163 (₨103) | ₨104 | - 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨ 1,632 (₨1,027) | ₨1,619 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | + 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Nepal is about the same as in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 169 (₨106) | ₨97 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨ 1,500 (₨945) | ₨217 | + 336% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨1,173 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨ 513 (₨323) | ₨329 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨ 313 (₨197) | ₨220 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨ 361 (₨227) | ₨307 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨ 96 (₨61) | ₨195 | - 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨ 120 (₨76) | ₨97 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨315 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Nepal is 7% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Nepal | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨ 2,155 (₨1,357) | ₨1,419 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨ 913 (₨575) | ₨590 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,843 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨ 3,942 (₨2,482) | ₨2,143 | + 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨ 877 (₨552) | ₨766 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨ 324 (₨204) | ₨240 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨ 603 (₨380) | ₨204 | + 86% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨ 70,000 (₨44,078) | ₨42,526 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨ 1.90 (₨1.20) | ₨7 | - 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨ 2,349 (₨1,479) | ₨1,579 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨ 400 (₨252) | ₨271 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | + 13% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 3,636 prices entered by 499 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.630
INR
/
NPR
Cost of living in Nepal is 13% more expensive than in India
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