Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

26.64

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $390 (excluding rent), and $484 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $908 (excluding rent), and $1,093 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.87 BTN 242

$4.03 BTN 340

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.21 BTN 1,452

$9.17 BTN 774

$57.4 BTN 4,841

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.47 BTN 293

$2.89 BTN 244

$3.47 BTN 293

Cappuccino

$1.48 BTN 125

$1.2 BTN 101

$2.98 BTN 252

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

$0.52 BTN 43.81

$0.3 BTN 25.41

$0.85 BTN 71.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 16.09

$0.13 BTN 11.36

$0.26 BTN 21.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.9 BTN 245

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 BTN 202

$1.8 BTN 152

$2.4 BTN 202

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 BTN 69.6

$0.69 BTN 58

$0.91 BTN 77

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 BTN 68.7

$0.34 BTN 28.96

$1.72 BTN 145

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 60

$0.6 BTN 50.4

$0.9 BTN 75.7

Eggs

$2.03 BTN 171

$1.1 BTN 93

$2.88 BTN 243

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.23 BTN 272

$2.29 BTN 193

$5.56 BTN 469

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.74 BTN 315

$2.25 BTN 190

$4.77 BTN 403

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.24 BTN 358

$3.57 BTN 301

$4.75 BTN 401

Apples (1kg)

$2.81 BTN 238

$1.18 BTN 100

$4.13 BTN 349

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 148

$1.2 BTN 101

$3.58 BTN 302

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 BTN 180

$1.06 BTN 89.8

$2.95 BTN 249

Tomato (1kg)

$0.93 BTN 78.2

$0.46 BTN 39.08

$1.83 BTN 155

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 46.21

$0.36 BTN 30.52

$0.6 BTN 50.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 61.5

$0.49 BTN 41.3

$1.22 BTN 103

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 BTN 35.85

$0.24 BTN 20.11

$1.04 BTN 87.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 BTN 31.79

$0.22 BTN 18.75

$0.56 BTN 47.27

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.82 BTN 323

$2.35 BTN 198

$4.7 BTN 397

Wine (Bottle)

$3.6 BTN 304

$2.99 BTN 253

$4.79 BTN 405

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 BTN 64.3

$0.43 BTN 36.1

$0.97 BTN 81.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 BTN 95.2

$0.9 BTN 76.4

$1.7 BTN 144

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 BTN 170

$1.2 BTN 102

$3.45 BTN 291

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.07 BTN 343

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.9 BTN 76.3

$0.6 BTN 50.9

$1.22 BTN 103

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.26 BTN 191

$1.69 BTN 143

$2.81 BTN 237

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.16 BTN 13.27

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 81.8

$0.73 BTN 61.6

$1.3 BTN 110

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

$19.2K BTN 1.6M

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

$24K BTN 2M

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

$23.53 BTN 1,986

$11.85 BTN 1,000

$35.2 BTN 2,972

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

$37.62 BTN 3,176

$17.5 BTN 1,477

$57.7 BTN 4,874

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.29 BTN 1,882

$11.51 BTN 971

$34.18 BTN 2,886

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.87 BTN 4,041

$17.23 BTN 1,455

$86.2 BTN 7,273

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.09 BTN 514

Cinema Ticket

$3.45 BTN 291

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

$247 BTN 20.9K

$44.42 BTN 3,750

$450 BTN 38K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$667 BTN 56.3K

$638 BTN 53.8K

$696 BTN 58.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.51 BTN 1,732

$9.29 BTN 784

$29.04 BTN 2,451

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.75 BTN 992

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.22 BTN 4,155

$29.53 BTN 2,493

$65 BTN 5,484

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.74 BTN 3,270

$29.05 BTN 2,452

$40.67 BTN 3,433

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 8,803

$57.6 BTN 4,860

$167 BTN 14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$69.4 BTN 5,859

$31.19 BTN 2,633

$151 BTN 12.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 BTN 14.6K

$92 BTN 7,769

$230 BTN 19.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 BTN 11.5K

$91.8 BTN 7,750

$443 BTN 37.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,582 BTN 133.5K

$527 BTN 44.5K

$3,514 BTN 296.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,679 BTN 141.7K

$116 BTN 9,772

$3,242 BTN 273.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$584 BTN 49.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

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.