Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $396 (excluding rent), and $487 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $917 (excluding rent), and $1,062 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 BTN 262

$4.01 BTN 367

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.75 BTN 1,627

$9.46 BTN 867

$59.2 BTN 5,421

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.56 BTN 326

$2.96 BTN 271

$3.56 BTN 326

Cappuccino

$1.47 BTN 135

$1.20 BTN 110

$2.98 BTN 273

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 BTN 47.46

$0.30 BTN 27.53

$0.85 BTN 77.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 14.80

$0.11 BTN 10.45

$0.22 BTN 20.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.90 BTN 266

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 BTN 208

$1.70 BTN 156

$2.27 BTN 208

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 BTN 78.5

$0.71 BTN 65.4

$0.95 BTN 86.9

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 BTN 79.8

$0.37 BTN 33.64

$1.84 BTN 168

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 65.1

$0.60 BTN 54.7

$0.90 BTN 82.0

Eggs

$1.98 BTN 182

$1.08 BTN 98.8

$2.82 BTN 258

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.33 BTN 305

$2.37 BTN 217

$5.74 BTN 526

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.69 BTN 338

$2.22 BTN 204

$4.71 BTN 432

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.07 BTN 373

$3.43 BTN 314

$4.56 BTN 418

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 254

$1.17 BTN 107

$4.06 BTN 372

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 160

$1.20 BTN 110

$3.58 BTN 328

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 BTN 198

$1.08 BTN 98.8

$2.99 BTN 274

Tomato (1kg)

$0.96 BTN 87.5

$0.48 BTN 43.77

$1.89 BTN 173

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 BTN 47.02

$0.34 BTN 31.05

$0.56 BTN 51.5

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 62.9

$0.46 BTN 42.22

$1.15 BTN 105

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 BTN 35.90

$0.22 BTN 20.14

$0.96 BTN 87.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.37 BTN 34.05

$0.22 BTN 20.08

$0.55 BTN 50.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.83 BTN 351

$2.35 BTN 216

$4.71 BTN 431

Wine (Bottle)

$3.37 BTN 308

$2.80 BTN 256

$4.49 BTN 411

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 BTN 65.8

$0.40 BTN 36.95

$0.91 BTN 83.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 BTN 105

$0.92 BTN 84.0

$1.73 BTN 158

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.09 BTN 191

$1.25 BTN 114

$3.58 BTN 328

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.10 BTN 375

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 BTN 77.1

$0.56 BTN 51.4

$1.13 BTN 104

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 BTN 213

$1.74 BTN 160

$2.90 BTN 266

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.18 BTN 16.10

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 BTN 81.4

$0.67 BTN 61.3

$1.19 BTN 109

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.0K BTN 1.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.0K BTN 2.2M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$22.98 BTN 2,106

$11.58 BTN 1,061

$34.39 BTN 3,151

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$37.62 BTN 3,447

$17.50 BTN 1,603

$57.7 BTN 5,291

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.84 BTN 2,093

$11.79 BTN 1,080

$35.02 BTN 3,209

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.67 BTN 4,368

$17.16 BTN 1,573

$85.8 BTN 7,861

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.21 BTN 569

Cinema Ticket

$3.51 BTN 322

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$245 BTN 22.4K

$43.94 BTN 4,026

$445 BTN 40.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$664 BTN 60.8K

$635 BTN 58.2K

$692 BTN 63.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.43 BTN 1,872

$9.25 BTN 848

$28.92 BTN 2,650

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.73 BTN 1,075

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.26 BTN 4,514

$29.56 BTN 2,708

$65.0 BTN 5,958

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.42 BTN 3,521

$28.82 BTN 2,641

$40.34 BTN 3,697

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,511

$57.3 BTN 5,251

$166 BTN 15.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$69.0 BTN 6,320

$31.00 BTN 2,840

$150 BTN 13.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 BTN 15.9K

$92.4 BTN 8,469

$231 BTN 21.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 BTN 12.9K

$94.9 BTN 8,692

$458 BTN 42.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,569 BTN 143.7K

$657 BTN 60.2K

$3,283 BTN 300.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,203 BTN 110.2K

$110 BTN 10.1K

$3,083 BTN 282.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$542 BTN 49.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 1, 2026

By City in Bhutan

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Kanglung	-		$97.8	$98.9	$204	$224	110.29	2.02
2	Paro	-			$150	$3.78	$223	126.08	10.26
3	Punakha	-		$194	$315	$450	$617	174.73	5.89
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$388	$458	$846	$1,032	242.12	27.95
5	Trongsa	2800						18.4	13.34

Bhutan Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Bhutan - Frequently Asked Questions

Bhutan offers a distinctive value proposition: you trade ultra-cheap options for a high-quality experience rooted in nature, tradition, and safety. In rural towns, daily needs feel simple and manageable, while Thimphu or Paro offer more conveniences but at a higher share of cost. The Cost of Living in Bhutan is influenced by regulated tourism and limited imports, so value comes from longer stays, balanced routines, and exploring local markets. You’ll find reliable healthcare and services compared to many remote destinations, but planning ahead matters for logistics like transport and internet in remote areas. Tip: choose a base outside the capital to stretch your budget while staying connected.

Daily life hinges on where you base yourself. In the capital and larger towns you’ll find clean, reliable essentials and a range of cafes and coworking spaces; elsewhere you rely more on local markets and longer walks. Housing search favors renting a modest apartment or room in a family home, often with flexible terms. Food options lean toward local dishes; Western ingredients are rarer and pricier outside the city. Public transport is practical, with buses and shared taxis, while bikes and walking cover short hops. Bhutan living cost varies by area, so budget for transit to and from your chosen base. Tip: Start with a short stay to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Bhutan centers on pace, nature, and a strong sense of community. For budgeting, frame your plan around housing, groceries, transport, and occasional outings; build in a buffer during festival seasons when crowds push demand. Choose neighborhoods near markets or transit hubs to keep errands simple while avoiding overconcentration in tourist zones. Embrace local dishes, herbs, and seasonal produce to keep food costs steady, and lean into longer, slower trips to explore monasteries, valleys, and trails. Work-friendly spaces grow outside the capital, but connectivity varies; test a few spots before settling. Tip: plan a multi-week trial period to ensure you find a neighborhood that fits your pace and connectivity needs.