The cost of living is one of the most important factors when choosing to go on vacation. Why do we prefer to relax quietly on a terrace in Barcelona rather than Copenhagen every summer? Well, the weather certainly helps… but also because your pint in the Danish capital will cost almost €10 compared to less than €5 in Spain. Here's a small financial comparison of products and services between France, Nepal, Slovakia and Singapore.

  For this comparison, it is also interesting to compare one of the most expensive destinations in the world, Singapore, but also a Central European country, Slovakia, which like all countries in the region (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary,..) are known for their excellent value for money.  

Food and beverages

A significant part of your vacation budget. Unsurprisingly, Singapore, the Asian Switzerland, is the most expensive destination for food. Ranked 5th globally, most basic activities are very expensive for both tourists and locals. Nepal is much cheaper most of the time. Alcoholic beverages are the major downside of the country with heavily taxed products. As for dining in Kathmandu, if you opt for establishments serving Western cuisine, prices will be much higher. Expect €10 for a main course with dessert. The same price as in Slovakia.  

Cigarettes

Nepal tops the list of countries with the cheapest cigarette packs, Marlboro equivalent. Australia is the country where a pack reaches the most exorbitant price: €16. In Asia, you can find packs for less than a euro, notably in Vietnam.  

Taxis

However, the results above are not entirely representative as they don't account for the minimum entry price (=flag fall) which can quickly add up as in France. Although the French TV show « On n'est plus des pigeons » on France 4 proved that Parisian taxi drivers are generally honest with foreign tourists, this is far from the case in Nepal, where it is almost impossible for a taxi to accept a ride with the meter on. Generally, prices are negotiable directly with the driver.  

Accommodation

The price of a night in a 3-star hotel :

France : €87

Nepal : €63

Slovakia : €60

Singapore : €70

The prices for a 3-star hotel range from €323 per night in Bermuda to €29 per night in Ukraine. Slovakia, like its neighbors (of which Ukraine is part) offers inexpensive nights. Even Nepal is more expensive.  

Entertainment :

Cinema : Nepal : €3.14      France :  €10                 Slovakia : €6.4        Singapore :  €7.63 In Nepal, activities like rafting, bungee jumping are sometimes the same price as in France   Shopping A pair of sports sneakers : Nepal : €40           France : €80               Slovakia :  €60            Singapore : €80 For shopping, Nepal is a very attractive destination. Whether buying a pair of shoes, a branded pair of jeans or quality sunglasses, prices are relatively lower than in Europe. Technology products, on the other hand, are often more expensive due to imposed taxes. A new car, for example, is taxed at 240%.  

Average salary by country

This is where it gets interesting. Having high prices but also high salaries like Switzerland or Norway is not a problem. But is this the case for our 4 countries ? Net salary (after taxes) *The underground economy is not accounted for. While prices are very similar to Slovakia's, the average salary is completely different : a difference of 450%...   In conclusion, Nepal is an unmissable destination for great deals, a change of scenery, and traveling without breaking the bank. The cost of living in Nepal is on average 60% lower than in France !