Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $390 (excluding rent), and $480 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $931 (excluding rent), and $1,078 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.9 BTN 245

$4.07 BTN 343

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.31 BTN 1,461

$9.23 BTN 779

$57.7 BTN 4,870

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.46 BTN 292

$2.88 BTN 243

$3.46 BTN 292

Cappuccino

$1.46 BTN 123

$1.18 BTN 99.9

$2.94 BTN 249

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

$0.52 BTN 44.18

$0.3 BTN 25.63

$0.86 BTN 72.5

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 16.1

$0.13 BTN 11.36

$0.26 BTN 21.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 BTN 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 BTN 195

$1.74 BTN 147

$2.31 BTN 195

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 BTN 68.1

$0.67 BTN 56.8

$0.89 BTN 75.4

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 BTN 68.6

$0.34 BTN 28.93

$1.71 BTN 145

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.66 BTN 55.8

$0.56 BTN 46.87

$0.83 BTN 70.3

Eggs

$1.95 BTN 164

$1.06 BTN 89.3

$2.77 BTN 234

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.36 BTN 283

$2.39 BTN 201

$5.78 BTN 488

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.66 BTN 309

$2.21 BTN 186

$4.68 BTN 395

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.26 BTN 360

$3.59 BTN 303

$4.77 BTN 403

Apples (1kg)

$2.8 BTN 236

$1.18 BTN 99.3

$4.1 BTN 346

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 148

$1.2 BTN 101

$3.59 BTN 303

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 BTN 173

$1.03 BTN 86.6

$2.84 BTN 240

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 BTN 76.8

$0.45 BTN 38.39

$1.8 BTN 152

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 BTN 42.67

$0.33 BTN 28.18

$0.55 BTN 46.7

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 BTN 57.3

$0.46 BTN 38.48

$1.13 BTN 95.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.4 BTN 33.42

$0.22 BTN 18.75

$0.97 BTN 81.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 BTN 31.73

$0.22 BTN 18.71

$0.56 BTN 47.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 BTN 328

$2.39 BTN 201

$4.77 BTN 403

Wine (Bottle)

$3.32 BTN 280

$2.76 BTN 233

$4.42 BTN 373

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 BTN 59.9

$0.4 BTN 33.67

$0.9 BTN 76.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 BTN 96.3

$0.91 BTN 77.2

$1.72 BTN 145

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 BTN 168

$1.19 BTN 100

$3.41 BTN 288

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.97 BTN 335

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 BTN 71.9

$0.57 BTN 47.94

$1.15 BTN 96.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 BTN 197

$1.75 BTN 148

$2.91 BTN 245

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 BTN 76.9

$0.69 BTN 57.9

$1.23 BTN 103

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

$19.3K BTN 1.6M

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

$24.3K BTN 2M

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

$23.51 BTN 1,984

$11.84 BTN 999

$35.17 BTN 2,969

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

$37.35 BTN 3,153

$17.37 BTN 1,467

$57.3 BTN 4,840

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.93 BTN 1,936

$11.84 BTN 999

$35.16 BTN 2,968

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.63 BTN 4,021

$17.15 BTN 1,448

$85.7 BTN 7,237

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.32 BTN 534

Cinema Ticket

$3.43 BTN 289

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

$240 BTN 20.3K

$43.16 BTN 3,644

$437 BTN 36.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$667 BTN 56.3K

$638 BTN 53.9K

$696 BTN 58.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.66 BTN 1,744

$9.36 BTN 790

$29.25 BTN 2,469

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.45 BTN 967

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.69 BTN 4,026

$28.61 BTN 2,415

$62.9 BTN 5,313

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.32 BTN 3,235

$28.74 BTN 2,426

$40.24 BTN 3,397

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$103 BTN 8,702

$56.9 BTN 4,804

$165 BTN 13.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$69.8 BTN 5,890

$31.36 BTN 2,647

$151 BTN 12.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 BTN 15K

$94.9 BTN 8,014

$237 BTN 20K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 BTN 11.9K

$94.8 BTN 8,001

$458 BTN 38.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,521 BTN 128.4K

$507 BTN 42.8K

$3,381 BTN 285.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,598 BTN 134.9K

$110 BTN 9,301

$3,085 BTN 260.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$565 BTN 47.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: November 25, 2025

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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.