Tool
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare monthly living costs between any two destinations in NPR. Estimates assume a single worker living independently. Many Gulf placements include free accommodation and food, which raises effective savings substantially.
| Monthly cost (NPR) |  United Arab Emirates |  Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared) | NPR 18,000 | NPR 12,000 |
| Food (self-cooked) | NPR 16,000 | NPR 13,000 |
| Public transport | NPR 4,500 | NPR 4,000 |
| Mobile + internet | NPR 6,000 | NPR 3,000 |
| Personal / leisure | NPR 8,000 | NPR 5,000 |
| Total monthly cost | NPR 52,500 | NPR 37,000 |
| Avg. monthly salary | NPR 137,500 | NPR 64,000 |
| Indicative monthly savings | NPR 85,000 | NPR 27,000 |
Costs are indicative for a single worker living independently. Many Gulf placements include shared accommodation and food at no cost — in those cases, your effective savings are substantially higher than shown.
Understanding the Numbers
What the cost of living figures mean for your savings
The goal of working abroad is to maximise what you send home to Nepal, not to maximise gross salary. These figures help you understand the real picture.
Gulf (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait)
Self-paid scenario. Most Gulf placements include free accommodation + food → actual cost NPR 20,000–45,000
Europe (Romania, Croatia, Serbia)
Accommodation self-paid in most cases. Higher salaries partly offset this, but less often covered by employer
Malaysia
Lower costs than Europe. Accommodation is often shared and sometimes provided by the employer
Important: Costs shown in the tool assume you pay for accommodation and food yourself. If your contract includes free accommodation and/or food — which is standard for most Gulf construction, hospitality and manufacturing roles — deduct those categories entirely from your cost estimate. This typically adds NPR 25,000–50,000 to your monthly savings.
Budgeting Tips
Four ways to save more each month abroad
Small spending habits compound into significant savings over a 2-year contract. These tips come from experienced Nepali migrant workers.
Cook at home whenever possible
Restaurant meals in the UAE or Qatar cost NPR 1,500–3,000 each. Cooking at home with shared groceries cuts your food bill to NPR 350–600 per day. Over a month, home cooking saves NPR 30,000–50,000 compared to eating out daily.
Share accommodation with colleagues
In destinations where you pay for your own accommodation (Europe and often Malaysia), sharing a flat with 3–4 colleagues cuts your monthly cost from NPR 60,000–80,000 to NPR 15,000–25,000 per person. Many employers facilitate this sharing arrangement.
Use public transport, not taxis
Gulf cities and Kuala Lumpur have good metro and bus networks. Monthly transit cards cost NPR 3,500–5,000. A single taxi per day adds NPR 8,000–15,000 to your monthly spend. Ride-hailing apps (Careem, Grab) are cheaper than taxis but still more expensive than public transit.
Set up an automatic remittance schedule
Transfer a fixed amount home on the same day each month, right after payday. What stays in your local account tends to get spent. What goes home accumulates as savings. Most remittance services allow scheduled transfers.
FAQ
Common questions about cost of living abroad
Do I have to pay for accommodation in the Gulf?
In most Gulf placements, especially for construction, manufacturing, hospitality and driving roles, the employer provides free shared accommodation and sometimes food. This is stipulated in the employment contract. If your contract says accommodation is provided, your effective savings are substantially higher than the figures in this tool (which assume self-paid accommodation).
Why is living in Romania or Serbia cheaper than in Western Europe?
Romania, Croatia and Serbia have lower price levels than Western Europe, especially for rent outside the capital. Wages are also lower than in the Gulf, which is why the savings comparison in this tool matters.
Are these figures realistic for a single Nepali worker?
Yes, the figures assume a single migrant worker living independently — sharing accommodation with other workers (which is typical) and cooking at home rather than eating at restaurants. Workers who eat out frequently or live alone will spend more. Workers in employer-provided accommodation will spend much less.
How much should I aim to save per month?
A reasonable savings target is 50–70% of your gross salary. Gulf workers with employer-provided accommodation can often achieve 60–75% savings rates. European workers typically save 30–50% due to higher living costs.
Combine this with the Salary Calculator
Use both tools together to estimate your real net savings — gross salary minus living costs — for any role and country combination.