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Cost of Living in Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · Population 1,396,288 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Mongolia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₮1,633,599 ($480)
Couple, monthly₮2,926,700 ($861)
Family of four, monthly₮3,811,266 ($1,121)

Estimated Prices in Ulaanbaatar

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₮16,575 ($4.88)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₮66,300 ($19.50)per meal
Cappuccino₮4,973 ($1.46)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₮375,700 ($111)per month
Monthly public transport pass₮60,775 ($17.88)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₮160,225 ($47.13)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₮46,410 ($13.65)per month
Fitness club membership₮46,410 ($13.65)per month
Cinema ticket₮12,155 ($3.58)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₮759,861 ($223)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₮528,599 ($155)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₮1,585,796 ($466)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ulaanbaatar is ₮1,768,000 ($520) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₮1,633,599 ($480) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₮2,123,678 ($625) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₮528,599 ($155)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar vs MörönUlaanbaatar vs ErdenetUlaanbaatar vs DarhanUlaanbaatar vs NalayhUlaanbaatar vs ÖlgiyUlaanbaatar vs Choybalsan

Nearby Cities

Dzuunmod

24 km away · Töv

Nalayh

31 km away · Ulaanbaatar

Dzüünharaa

110 km away · Selenge

Darhan

188 km away · Darhan-Uul

Darhan

193 km away · Selenge

Choyr

206 km away · Govĭsümber

Erdenet

244 km away · Orhon

Mandalgovĭ

244 km away · Dundgovĭ

Other Major Cities in Mongolia

Mörön

Hövsgöl · pop. 134,530

₮1,230,800 ($362) / mo

Erdenet

Orhon · pop. 106,810

₮1,230,800 ($362) / mo

Darhan

Darhan-Uul · pop. 74,738

₮1,230,800 ($362) / mo

Living in Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and one of the key cities in Mongolia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₮1,633,599 ($480), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₮528,599 ($155) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₮3,811,266 ($1,121) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₮2,926,700 ($861) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ulaanbaatar is ₮1,768,000 ($520). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₮2,123,678 ($625) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ulaanbaatar expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₮1,633,599 ($480) per month in Ulaanbaatar including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Mongolia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ulaanbaatar?
A net salary of around ₮2,123,678 ($625) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ulaanbaatar with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ulaanbaatar is ₮1,768,000 ($520).
How much is rent in Ulaanbaatar?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₮759,861 ($223) per month in the city centre and ₮528,599 ($155) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₮1,585,796 ($466).
Is Ulaanbaatar cheaper than Mongolia on average?
No — Ulaanbaatar is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Mongolia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Ulaanbaatar?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₮375,700 ($111) in Ulaanbaatar. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₮16,575 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around ₮4,973 ($1).
How do transport costs in Ulaanbaatar compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ulaanbaatar is estimated at ₮60,775 ($18). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ulaanbaatar are estimates based on Mongolia national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,396,288) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.