Cost of living in Nepal compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 64% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nepal is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨ 615 ($4.49) | $22 | - 79% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨ 490 ($3.57) | $12 | - 70% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨ 374 ($2.72) | $5.96 | - 54% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨ 115 ($0.84) | $1.09 | - 23% | |
12 eggs, large | ₨ 230 ($1.68) | $5.71 | - 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨ 91 ($0.66) | $4.81 | - 86% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨ 623 ($4.55) | $8 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨ 290 ($2.12) | $4.15 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨ 49 ($0.36) | $2.23 | - 84% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨ 304 ($2.22) | $3.93 | - 44% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨ 2,266 ($17) | $18 | - 9% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₨ 245 ($1.79) | $3.01 | - 41% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨ 103 ($0.75) | $2.99 | - 75% | |
Housing | - 81% | |||
Housing in Nepal is 81% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨ 86,955 ($634) | $2,999 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨ 37,489 ($273) | $2,329 | - 88% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨ 5,538 ($40) | $241 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨ 52,289 ($381) | $2,217 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨ 30,300 ($221) | $1,631 | - 86% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨ 3,000 ($22) | $169 | - 87% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨ 1,124 ($8) | $61 | - 87% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₨ 53,677 ($391) | $250 | + 57% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 21,845 ($159) | $144 | + 10% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨ 2,500 ($18) | $15 | + 21% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨ 500 ($3.65) | $34 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 15% | |||
Clothes in Nepal is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨ 3,288 ($24) | $58 | - 59% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨ 8,999 ($66) | $50 | + 33% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 8,704 ($63) | $105 | - 40% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨ 7,999 ($58) | $138 | - 58% | |
Transportation | - 55% | |||
Transportation in Nepal is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨ 5,331,140 ($38,876) | $31,214 | + 25% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨ 163 ($1.19) | $0.93 | + 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₨ 1,632 ($12) | $88 | - 87% | |
Personal Care | - 52% | |||
Personal Care in Nepal is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 169 ($1.23) | $10 | - 87% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨ 1,500 ($11) | $25 | - 56% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $171 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨ 513 ($3.74) | $9 | - 60% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨ 313 ($2.28) | $5.31 | - 57% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨ 361 ($2.63) | $7 | - 64% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨ 96 ($0.70) | $5.17 | - 86% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₨ 120 ($0.88) | $2.44 | - 64% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $32 | - | |
Entertainment | - 71% | |||
Entertainment in Nepal is 71% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Nepal | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨ 2,155 ($16) | $60 | - 74% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₨ 913 ($7) | $30 | - 78% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $236 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨ 3,942 ($29) | $104 | - 72% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨ 877 ($6) | $15 | - 57% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨ 324 ($2.36) | $6 | - 61% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨ 603 ($4.40) | $8 | - 42% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨ 70,000 ($510) | $458 | + 11% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨ 1.90 ($0.01) | $0.52 | - 97% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨ 2,349 ($17) | $70 | - 75% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨ 400 ($2.92) | $11 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 66% |

These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00729
USD
/
NPR
Cost of living in Nepal is 66% cheaper than in United States
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