Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Los Angeles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kathmandu or Los Angeles?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesLos Angeles Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Los Angeles $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $299. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kathmandu and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $36Los Angeles $138
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $72Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Los Angeles? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.14Los Angeles $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Trishuli River Rafting Day Trip from Kathmandu with Transfers: $279
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $12
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Transfer to Bhaktapur from Kathmandu: $65
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
-
Hotel Parking for a Day$22
-
Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Intercity Transfer from and to Los Angeles: $15
- Los Angeles Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Los Angeles: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from LAX Airport to Los Angeles Hotels: $33
- Los Angeles:Private Airport Transfers to/from LA or Disney: $36
- Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX From To LA: $36
- Private Transfer to/from Los Angeles LAX Airport: $36
- Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer to Burbank Airport (BUR): $40
- LAX Private Airport Transfer: $41
- One Way Private Transfer To or From Los Angeles Airport: $45
- Los Angeles to LA Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Kathmandu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayKathmandu $13Los Angeles $104
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.19
-
Dinner for Two$2.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $9.50
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Food tour: Food and Drink Tasting with Guide In Kathmandu: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Women Empowerment Project(Nepali cooking class & jewelry workshop: $50
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
-
Burritos for Two$15
-
Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
- West LA Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Los Angeles: $75
- Los Angeles Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $87
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- Los Angeles Taco Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $89
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach: $94
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $99
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
- Marina Del Rey: Romantic Cruise, Dinner Charcuterie or Sushi: $99
- Silver Lake Food Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.09Los Angeles $83
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.33
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.32
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.33
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu: $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu City with Nagarkot Sunrise, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Tour: $236
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
-
Bowling$13
-
Hollywood Tour for Two$30
-
Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $4.94
- Santa Monica: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Venice Beach: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Culver City Audio Tour: $5.99
- Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- West Hollywood Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Los Angeles Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Pasadena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.65
- Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive Self Guided Tour: $7.99
- Los Angeles Getty Center Reserved Entry and Audio Tour: $8.10
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $9.99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.09Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu is in Asia and Los Angeles is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Los Angeles, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.