Living in Kathmandu
Nepal · temperate
Kathmandu is a big city of roughly 1,400,000 people near the mountains in Nepal. The climate is temperate. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $650. Healthcare is limited, so serious care may mean travelling, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for hiking, art and culture, food and eating out.
Kathmandu at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Kathmandu
- Making a budget stretch further
- Feeling safe day to day
- A genuinely good food scene
- Anyone into hiking
- Anyone into art and culture
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required
No national law requires a child to be vaccinated here. The schedule is an offer, not a duty.
If you skip them: Nothing. No national law requires it.
Exemptions: Not needed: there is no mandate to be exempt from.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
📈 Popularity & prices: Growing
Accommodation prices have moved about +30% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Kathmandu
- • Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
- • Healthcare is basic; complex care may mean travelling.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Kathmandu
- •Rabies risk from stray dogs, think twice before petting animals.
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Air quality: PM2.5 averages ~39 µg/m³ (WHO guideline is 5).
- •Natural hazards to check locally: earthquakes.
- •Serious medical care may mean travelling to a bigger city.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Kathmandu?
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Kathmandu, Nepal?
A typical month in Kathmandu costs around $650, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Kathmandu, Nepal safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Kathmandu at 4 out of 5, which is good. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
What is the internet like in Kathmandu?
Internet in Kathmandu is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is not available in this country.
What is the weather like in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a temperate climate. Mountains are close by.
Is healthcare good in Kathmandu?
Healthcare in Kathmandu is rated 2 out of 5 overall, which is limited. Public healthcare is 1/5 and private healthcare 1/5.
How easy is it to move to Nepal?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Nepal at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Kathmandu actually right for you?
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