Kandy vs Pokhara: cost of living for digital nomads
Kandy, Sri Lanka and Pokhara, 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
- Pokhara is about 7% cheaper than Kandy for a month of nomad living ($765 vs $820).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $280 in Pokhara against $300 in Kandy.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Kandy: 70 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Kandy is tropical; Pokhara is temperate.
Kandy wins 1 of the measured lines; Pokhara wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Kandy or Pokhara?
Pokhara is cheaper: about $765/month against $820/month in Kandy, roughly 7% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Kandy or Pokhara?
Kandy and Pokhara score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Kandy or Pokhara?
Kandy has faster typical internet: 70 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Pokhara.
| Line | Kandy | Pokhara |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $820 | $765 |
| Rent | $300 | $280 |
| Food | $240 | $220 |
| Transport | $25 | $25 |
| Coworking | $65 | $60 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 70 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | mid | mid |
| Setting | mountain | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
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): Kandy September 11, 2026, Pokhara September 11, 2026.