Amman vs Kathmandu Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Kathmandu leads on CPI (16.8 vs 35.6, NYC=100), Kathmandu leads on rent index, and Amman leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Kathmandu
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Salary (12462% gap, Kathmandu ahead); Utilities (8256% gap, Amman ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $455 lower in Kathmandu than in Amman (~56% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $455 (favoring Kathmandu).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Kathmandu | CPI 16.8 vs 35.6 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Kathmandu | Rent index 9.4 vs 21.2 (lower is better) |
| Food | Kathmandu | Groceries index 25.9 vs 43.2 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Amman | One-way ticket 0.49 vs 37.58 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Amman | Utilities (85m²) 30.06 vs 2511.68 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Amman | Internet 22.53 vs 1814.29 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Kathmandu | Restaurant index 16 vs 32 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Kathmandu | Avg net salary 185543.68 vs 1476.99 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Amman | PP index 33.6 vs 22.4 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Salary: Kathmandu leads with a 12462% gap.
Avg net salary 185543.68 vs 1476.99 (higher is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Kathmandu — Lower housing / rent index (56% gap).
- Families: Kathmandu — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Kathmandu; purchasing power favors Amman.
- Remote Workers: Kathmandu — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Kathmandu (~53% gap).
- Budget Living: Kathmandu — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Kathmandu is the overall cost winner on CPI (~53% lower everyday-cost index than Amman).
- Housing: Kathmandu leads on rent index (56% gap).
- Food / groceries: Kathmandu is lower (40% gap).
- Purchasing power: Amman scores higher (33% gap).
- Largest category gap: Salary (12462%), favoring Kathmandu.
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$455 cheaper in Kathmandu.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 35.6/16.8, rent 21.2/9.4, purchasing power 33.6/22.4. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-21
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Regional
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Regional.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.