⚖️ City comparison

Kathmandu vs Pokhara

Two cities in Nepal, compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet and how easy it is to stay.

The short version

Pokhara is 11% cheaper: $482 vs $539 a month all-in for one person.
Rent is lower in Pokhara: $126 vs $200 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
Both have 8 pleasant months a year.
Pokhara is warmer: highs average 2°F more across the year (coldest-month high 65°F vs 64°F in Kathmandu; hottest 85°F vs 82°F).
Residents rate Pokhara safer: a safety index of 70 vs 64 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
Same country, same visa and tax rules: the Digital Nomad Visa → ANNOUNCED for 2026, launch not yet confirmed covers both.

Measure	🇳🇵 Kathmandu	🇳🇵 Pokhara
⭐ Fit score (default weights)	73	74
💰 All-in / month	$539	$482
🏠 1BR rent, centre	$200	$126
🛒 Living costs, no rent	$339	$356
☀️ Pleasant months	8	8
🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month	64–82°F	65–85°F
🛡️ Safety	64/100 (residents)	70/100 (residents)
📶 Internet, median download	135 Mbps	121 Mbps
🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year	39 µg/m³	n/a
🗣️ English	Moderate (EF)	Moderate (EF)
🏥 Healthcare access (WHO)	Low	Low
👩 Women's safety & rights	Low	Low
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ equality	High	High
✈️ Flight to the US (est.)	~14h to Seattle	~14h to Seattle
🕘 US work-hour overlap	0 h	0 h
🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport)	90 days	90 days
🛂 Nomad visa	Announced: Digital Nomad Visa → ANNOUNCED for 2026, launch not yet confirmed	Announced: Digital Nomad Visa → ANNOUNCED for 2026, launch not yet confirmed
🧾 Tax if resident	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 36%	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 36%

🇳🇵 Kathmandu

3 best months

🇳🇵 Pokhara

5 best months

Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Kathmandu climate · Pokhara climate.

Data last updated September 7, 2026 · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research