🇳🇵 Nepal · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Kathmandu? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, Lazimpat, Jhamsikhel or SanepaNPR 30,000–60,000 / month
One-bed flat, outer Kathmandu or LalitpurNPR 15,000–30,000 / month
Utilities including electricity, water and internetNPR 5,000–12,000 / month; winter heating pushes electricity up sharply
Groceries, one personNPR 20,000–35,000 / month; imported goods cost several times more
Tourist visa extension, per 15-day minimum blockUSD 45, then about USD 3 per additional day
Good to know
Population
≈1.5 million in the city; roughly 3 million across the Kathmandu Valley including Lalitpur and Bhaktapur
Languages
Nepali is the national language; Nepal Bhasa (Newari) is the valley's own and still spoken in the old towns; English is widely used in the international sector and business
Currency
Nepalese rupee (NPR), pegged to the Indian rupee
Time zone
NPT (GMT+5:45) — the only country in the world on a 45-minute offset
Power plug
Type C, D and M, 230 V. Scheduled load shedding ended in 2018
Climate
Temperate at 1,400 m — warm summers, a heavy June–September monsoon, cold dry winters near freezing at night, and severe valley air pollution from December to March
Driving side
Left
Seismic risk
High. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake reshaped construction practice; NBC 105:2020 is the current seismic code, though studies find compliance uneven
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Kathmandu checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Kathmandu
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.