Kathmandu
Kathmandu has real challenges — read the full breakdown before deciding.
Quick answer
Kathmandu, Nepal scores 35/100 on the WhereNext city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport). Estimated single-person monthly cost is around $650/mo (a central 1-bed runs ~$250/mo). Safety index 52/100; healthcare 38/100; internet 25 Mbps. Top neighborhoods: Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
Key facts
- ~$650/mo single-person estimated cost of living · 1-bed center $250/mo.
- Safety: 52/100 moderately safe city by composite safety index.
- Healthcare: 38/100 below-average healthcare access.
- Internet: 25 Mbps median fixed broadband download — verify before relying on it for work.
- Top neighborhoods Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs — researched expat-friendly areas.
City composite
Below peers
- Kathmandu
- 35/100
- Nepal avg
- 44/100
- Global avg
- 63/100
Compared against 4 indexed cities in Nepal and 380 indexed cities globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport, air quality) · updated
The short version
How much does it cost?
~$650/mo for a single person. A central 1-bed is ~$250/mo. Outside the center: ~$150/mo.
Is it safe?
Safety score: 52/100. Exercise caution — research neighborhoods carefully.
Can I work remotely?
Internet: 25 Mbps avg. Consider coworking spaces for reliable connectivity. Coworking: ~$50/mo.
What's the climate like?
Climate score: 62/100. Moderate climate with distinct seasons.
The honest take
What's great
- Climate — scored 62/100
- Safety — scored 52/100
- Healthcare — scored 38/100
Watch out for
- Cost of Living — scored 18/100
- Air Quality — scored 20/100
- Transport — scored 28/100
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Kathmandu
Strengths
- Lifestyle62/100
- Safety52/100
- Healthcare38/100
Likely blockers
Cost may stretch typical budgets
Run the free Retirement Budget calculatorInfrastructure trails comparable destinations
Re-rank destinations against your priorities
Decision Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance. Scores are out of 100, higher is better.
Monthly Reality Check
What things actually cost in Kathmandu. Estimated total: ~$650/mo for a single person.
Based on verified local pricing data
1-bed apartment (centre)
$250
1-bed apartment (outside)
$150
Budget meal
$2
Cappuccino
$1.8
Monthly transport pass
$8
Coworking space
$50/mo
Avg internet speed
25 Mbps
Neighborhoods
Where expats and locals actually live in Kathmandu.
Housing reality: Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
Premium Report
Get Real Data for Kathmandu
This city's scores are estimated from national data. A Decision Brief gives you verified local prices, neighborhoods, visa timelines, and a personalized relocation plan — researched specifically for Kathmandu.
Deep Research
Expand any section for detailed data and narrative.
Transport & Getting Around
Transport & Getting Around
Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Monthly transport pass: $8
Nepal — Policy & Systems
Nepal — Policy & Systems
Visa, tax, healthcare, and education policies are set at the national level. See the Nepal country guide for full details.
Language & Expat Community
Language & Expat Community
Official Languages
Nepali
English Proficiency
Low
Foreign-born
1.7%
Expat Level
Medium
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kathmandu a good place to live for expats?
Kathmandu scores 35/100 overall. It is very affordable (~$650/mo), moderately safe, and has a healthcare score of 38/100. Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
What does it cost to live in Kathmandu?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Kathmandu is ~$650 for a single person. A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs about $250/mo. Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
What are the best neighborhoods in Kathmandu?
The most recommended neighborhoods are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.
How do I get around Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a transport score of 28/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Continue Your Research
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Kathmandu, Nepal City Profile 2026 (2026-05-20). Derived from: Numbeo (city-level cost; verified via WhereNext audit); World Bank ICP (country-level PPP anchor); OECD + Eurostat (where applicable); WhereNext flagship-city research (qualitative + neighborhood depth). Available at https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Kathmandu, Nepal City Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Kathmandu, Nepal City Profile 2026." WhereNext, 20 May 2026, https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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author = {{WhereNext}},
title = {WhereNext Kathmandu, Nepal City Profile 2026},
year = {2026},
url = {https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation},
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}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/city/np/kathmandu?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Kathmandu, Nepal City Profile 2026</a>
Next step
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.