Bengaluru vs Kathmandu: cost of living for digital nomads
Bengaluru, India and Kathmandu, Nepal, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Kathmandu is about 14% cheaper than Bengaluru for a month of nomad living ($880 vs $1,025).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $350 in Kathmandu against $400 in Bengaluru.
- Kathmandu scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Bengaluru: 200 Mbps typical against 25 Mbps.
- Bengaluru is tropical; Kathmandu is temperate.
Bengaluru wins 3 of the measured lines; Kathmandu wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bengaluru or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is cheaper: about $880/month against $1,025/month in Bengaluru, roughly 14% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bengaluru or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Bengaluru.
Which has faster internet, Bengaluru or Kathmandu?
Bengaluru has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 25 Mbps in Kathmandu.
| Line | Bengaluru | Kathmandu |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,025 | $880 |
| Rent | $400 | $350 |
| Food | $250 | $220 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $110 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 25 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Kathmandu
Budget Himalayan base; power and internet can be patchy.
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bengaluru September 11, 2026, Kathmandu November 1, 2026.