Day-to-day living costs can vary greatly depending on where you are from and whether you are going there as a tourist or student. As a student in Nepal, you will find that your monthly budget for food is between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20,000 (NPR 16,000 - 32,000) in total.
A majority of colleges provide dormitory accommodation for ₹5,000 - 10,000 per month (NPR8,000 - 16,000) with mess facilities that serve Indian style meals. If you eat out or cook simple meals, then you can expect to spend an extra ₹3,000- ₹5,000 (NPR4,800 - 8,000) per month on food.
The cost of your utility bills is also very cheap due to the fact that utilities do not cost you much at all in Nepal (most dorms already include utilities in the dorm fee) or cost less than $1,000 (/NPR 1,600). Local transportation is also inexpensive in Nepal; whether you ride the local bus or use a taxi, you should not have to spend more than $600 a month to get to your destination.
Depending on your lifestyle, mode of travel, and the cost of living, it is reasonable to assume that you will spend between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000 (Rs. 3,200 to Rs. 4,800) per month on books, paper, and other academic materials.
Five and a half years of study will cost Indian Rupees ₹6-10 lakhs (Nepalese Rupees 9,600,000 to 16,000,000) in total, depending on your level of comfort. Living in Kathmandu or Pokhara may be more expensive than in smaller towns like Bharatpur, but not nearly as expensive as living in a major city in India, and students who manage very well typically find that they can live within their normal monthly expenses in tier 2 cities in their home country.
Expense Category | Monthly Cost (INR) | Monthly Cost (NPR) | Details |
| Hostel Accommodation | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 | NPR 8,000 – NPR 16,000 | Shared college hostel room |
| Mess / Food (3 meals daily) | ₹4,000 – ₹7,000 | NPR 6,400 – NPR 11,200 | Indian/Nepali style meals |
| Local Transport | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 | NPR 1,600 – NPR 3,200 | Bus, rickshaw, taxi to the hospital |
| Internet + Mobile Recharge | ₹500 – ₹1,000 | NPR 800 – NPR 1,600 | WiFi and phone bills |
| Electricity & Utilities | ₹300 – ₹800 | NPR 500 – NPR 1,300 | Usually included in a hostel |
| Personal Expenses | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 | NPR 1,600 – NPR 3,200 | Toiletries, snacks, laundry |
| Books / Stationery | ₹300 – ₹600 | NPR 500 – NPR 1,000 | Notebooks and basic supplies |
| Miscellaneous / Outings | ₹500 – ₹1,500 | NPR 800 – NPR 2,400 | Weekend activities, small shopping |
| Total Monthly Cost | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 | NPR 16,000 – NPR 32,000 | Simple to comfortable student lifestyle |