Ulaanbaatar skyline

🇲🇳Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia · Population: 1,500,000 · Cost Index: 25/100

Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia · Asia

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and home to nearly half the country's population, set in a valley along the Tuul River. The city is known for its extreme winters, traditional Mongolian culture, and the contrast between Soviet-era blocks and modern glass towers.

1,500,000

Population

25

Cost Index

55

Safety Index

40

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $680 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $400.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$350.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$200.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$650.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$400.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $4.03
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$3.50
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$18.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.00
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.30
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.50
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.20
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.80
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.50
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.00
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.50

Transportation

Avg: $2.43
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$10.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.15
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.60
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.40
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.00

Utilities

Avg: $23.67
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$50.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$6.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$15.00

Healthcare

Avg: $9.67
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$10.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$15.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$4.00

Entertainment

Avg: $8.38
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$25.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$4.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$2.50
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.00

Clothing

Avg: $40.00
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$40.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$20.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$60.00

Compare Ulaanbaatar with another city

See how Ulaanbaatar stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
MNT
Language
Mongolian
Cost Index
25/100
Safety Index
55/100
Quality of Life
40/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.