Cost of living in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 66% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Detroit, Michigan or in Kathmandu? You can help!
Improve the prices for Detroit, Michigan! Improve the prices for Kathmandu!
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 205 prices entered by 42 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 62% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 62% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨ 439 ($3.20) | $20 | - 84% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨ 470 ($3.43) | $10 | - 65% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨ 375 ($2.74) | $5.69 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨ 117 ($0.85) | $0.87 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨ 238 ($1.74) | $5.06 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨ 84 ($0.61) | $3.62 | - 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨ 539 ($3.94) | $6 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨ 290 ($2.12) | $4.50 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨ 49 ($0.36) | $2.69 | - 87% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨ 268 ($1.96) | $2.02 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨ 1,860 ($14) | $11 | + 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨ 243 ($1.78) | $3.08 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨ 61 ($0.44) | $2.78 | - 84% | |
| Housing | - 80% | |||
| Housing in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 80% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨ 62,636 ($457) | $2,421 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨ 30,443 ($222) | $1,541 | - 86% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨ 5,919 ($43) | $228 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨ 47,589 ($347) | $1,292 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨ 28,161 ($206) | $919 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨ 3,706 ($27) | $157 | - 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨ 1,223 ($9) | $72 | - 88% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨ 39,695 ($290) | $295 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 18,781 ($137) | $149 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨ 1,439 ($11) | $15 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨ 459 ($3.35) | $42 | - 92% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 28% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨ 3,096 ($23) | $50 | - 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨ 4,941 ($36) | $34 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 7,317 ($53) | $96 | - 44% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨ 6,218 ($45) | $90 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | - 55% | |||
| Transportation in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 55% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨ 4,344,080 ($31,718) | $32,100 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨ 153 ($1.12) | $0.88 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨ 1,405 ($10) | $65 | - 84% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₨ 824 ($6) | $14 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | - 71% | |||
| Personal Care in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 71% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨ 150 ($1.10) | $10 | - 89% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨ 670 ($4.89) | $6 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨ 2,135 ($16) | $94 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨ 231 ($1.69) | $7 | - 75% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨ 277 ($2.02) | $4.88 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨ 353 ($2.58) | $7 | - 65% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨ 129 ($0.94) | $3.48 | - 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨ 98 ($0.71) | $1.75 | - 59% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨ 476 ($3.48) | $23 | - 85% | |
| Entertainment | - 62% | |||
| Entertainment in Kathmandu (Nepal) is 62% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kathmandu | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨ 1,857 ($14) | $44 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨ 820 ($5.99) | $24 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨ 5,431 ($40) | $151 | - 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨ 3,120 ($23) | $72 | - 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨ 1,087 ($8) | $16 | - 49% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨ 253 ($1.85) | $5.09 | - 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨ 504 ($3.68) | $4.66 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨ 86,365 ($631) | $451 | + 40% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨ 3.08 ($0.02) | $0.32 | - 93% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨ 2,544 ($19) | $42 | - 56% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨ 341 ($2.49) | $9 | - 73% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 66% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 205 prices entered by 42 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00730
USD
/
NPR
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Singapore is 43% more expensive than in Munich
- Cost of living in Brasília is about the same as in Brasília
- Cost of living in Sacramento, California is 100% more expensive than in Bangkok
- Cost of living in Saint Petersburg is 9% cheaper than in Osasco
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 17% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in New York City is 43% more expensive than in Sydney
- Cost of living in Darwin is 12% cheaper than in Brisbane
- Cost of living in Zurich is 8% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Phuket is 6% cheaper than in Bangkok
- Cost of living in Santiago, Chile is about the same as in Mexico City
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $7,600 in Detroit, Michigan you would need to make just about $2,588 (₨ 354,461) in Kathmandu.
Do you live in Detroit, Michigan? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Gorakhpur (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Patna (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Boston, Massachusetts (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Louisville, Kentucky (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Agra (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Austin, Texas (United States)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Seoul costs ₩9,000 (3 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Victoria costs C$30 (14 minutes ago)
- Public transport in Portland, Oregon costs $100 (16 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Bauru costs R$ 50 (about 3 hours ago)
- 40ml deodorant, roll-on in São Luís costs R$ 13 (about 3 hours ago)
- Short visit to private doctor in Montevideo costs $U2,000 (about 3 hours ago)