Skyline of Dharan
Cost of Living: 70 200,000

Dharan, Nepal

Dharan is a major city in Nepal with a population of 200,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 70

Below Average vs Nepal Avg (100)

Housing Index 75

Affordable

Median Income Rs 300,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Dharan vs Nepal Average

Cost of Living
Dharan: 70
Nepal Avg: 100
Housing Index
Dharan: 75
Nepal Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 13.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Rs 300,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 50°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: Rs5,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: Rs10000/mo

Cost of Living

Dharan's cost of living index is 70 (Nepal average = 100).

CategoryDharanNational AverageDifference
Overall70100-30.0%
Housing75100-25.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceRs5,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)Rs10000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Rs12,500/mo
Price per Sq FtRs3,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Rs
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Rs

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Dharan:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityRs1500
Heating & CoolingRs8Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)Rs1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterRs500Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Rs1500Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesRs3509Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Dharan scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
70
Rent
Rs10000
Sunny Days
260
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
86°F / 50°F
Safety
2.2 homicides/100k
Population
200,000
Internet Speed
30 Mbps

Climate

Dharan has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January70°F50°F2.5"
April71°F65°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F68°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Dharan faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Flood High Risk

Monsoon floods and Himalayan runoff cause annual flooding.

Landslide High Risk

Himalayan region with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Himalayan region with frequent avalanches.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Southern Nepal experiences tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

High-altitude regions experience extreme cold.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 13%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year April to March
Term System Semester — 1st (Apr-Sep), 2nd (Oct-Mar)
Summer Break June to July (4 weeks, monsoon)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Dashain and Tihar in October/November (2 weeks)

School year starts in April. Dashain break is the longest festival holiday.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dharan, Nepal?

The cost of living index in Dharan is 70, which is Lower the Nepal national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Dharan?

The median home price in Dharan is Rs5,000,000. The housing index is 75.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dharan is approximately Rs10000/mo.

Does Dharan, Koshi have income tax?

Dharan is in Koshi, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Dharan?

Dharan enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 50°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.