Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $395 (excluding rent), and $479 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $909 (excluding rent), and $1,094 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.86 BTN 267
$2.86 BTN 267
$4.01 BTN 374
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.42 BTN 1,625
$9.29 BTN 866
$58.1 BTN 5,415
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.52 BTN 328
$2.92 BTN 273
$3.52 BTN 328
Cappuccino
$1.47 BTN 137
$1.20 BTN 112
$2.98 BTN 278
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 BTN 48.50
$0.30 BTN 28.13
$0.85 BTN 79.5
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16 BTN 14.54
$0.11 BTN 10.26
$0.21 BTN 19.67
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.83 BTN 264
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 BTN 211
$1.70 BTN 159
$2.26 BTN 211
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 BTN 77.3
$0.69 BTN 64.4
$0.92 BTN 85.5
White Bread (500g)
$0.79 BTN 73.9
$0.33 BTN 31.17
$1.67 BTN 156
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.70 BTN 65.7
$0.59 BTN 55.2
$0.89 BTN 82.8
Eggs
$1.99 BTN 186
$1.08 BTN 101
$2.83 BTN 264
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.23 BTN 302
$2.30 BTN 214
$5.57 BTN 519
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.66 BTN 342
$2.21 BTN 206
$4.68 BTN 436
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.15 BTN 387
$3.49 BTN 326
$4.65 BTN 433
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 BTN 258
$1.16 BTN 109
$4.06 BTN 379
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 BTN 163
$1.20 BTN 112
$3.58 BTN 334
Oranges (1kg)
$2.06 BTN 192
$1.03 BTN 96.2
$2.86 BTN 267
Tomato (1kg)
$0.97 BTN 90.4
$0.48 BTN 45.22
$1.92 BTN 179
Potato (1kg)
$0.56 BTN 51.9
$0.37 BTN 34.26
$0.61 BTN 56.8
Onion (1kg)
$0.69 BTN 64.3
$0.46 BTN 43.16
$1.15 BTN 107
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 BTN 36.72
$0.22 BTN 20.60
$0.96 BTN 89.6
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 BTN 37.57
$0.24 BTN 22.15
$0.60 BTN 55.9
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.74 BTN 349
$2.30 BTN 215
$4.60 BTN 429
Wine (Bottle)
$3.14 BTN 293
$2.61 BTN 244
$4.18 BTN 390
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 BTN 65.5
$0.39 BTN 36.76
$0.89 BTN 83.4
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17 BTN 109
$0.94 BTN 87.8
$1.77 BTN 165
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.01 BTN 187
$1.20 BTN 112
$3.45 BTN 322
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.92 BTN 366
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.88 BTN 82.4
$0.59 BTN 54.9
$1.19 BTN 111
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.35 BTN 219
$1.76 BTN 164
$2.92 BTN 272
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.18 BTN 16.38
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 BTN 90.1
$0.73 BTN 67.8
$1.30 BTN 121
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4K BTN 1.8M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K BTN 2.3M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$23.16 BTN 2,160
$11.67 BTN 1,088
$34.66 BTN 3,232
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.47 BTN 3,494
$17.43 BTN 1,625
$57.5 BTN 5,363
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.54 BTN 2,102
$11.63 BTN 1,085
$34.56 BTN 3,223
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.76 BTN 4,547
$17.56 BTN 1,637
$87.8 BTN 8,184
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.29 BTN 587
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.53 BTN 329
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$246 BTN 22.9K
$44.11 BTN 4,113
$447 BTN 41.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$664 BTN 61.9K
$635 BTN 59.2K
$693 BTN 64.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.19 BTN 1,883
$9.14 BTN 853
$28.58 BTN 2,665
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.45 BTN 1,068
$11.45 BTN 1,068
$11.45 BTN 1,068
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$49.16 BTN 4,584
$29.50 BTN 2,750
$64.9 BTN 6,050
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.73 BTN 3,611
$29.05 BTN 2,708
$40.66 BTN 3,792
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$104 BTN 9,655
$57.2 BTN 5,330
$166 BTN 15.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$68.5 BTN 6,384
$30.76 BTN 2,869
$149 BTN 13.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$178 BTN 16.6K
$94.9 BTN 8,852
$237 BTN 22.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$138 BTN 12.9K
$92.7 BTN 8,646
$448 BTN 41.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,528 BTN 142.5K
$640 BTN 59.7K
$3,199 BTN 298.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,170 BTN 109.1K
$107 BTN 9,988
$2,999 BTN 279.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$530 BTN 49.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.75
5
12

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

Last update: April 11, 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
-
$94.8 $97.7 $207 $229
105.62
2.5
2
-
$149 $3.77 $217
61.27
9.32
3
-
$247 $318 $452 $637
190.58
5.44
4
98676
23 $408 $472 $922 $1,025
42.13
29.16
5
2800
29.16
10.14
Bhutan Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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
How does Bhutan stack up for affordability and overall value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
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.
What does daily life look like on the ground for a traveler or remote worker in Bhutan in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands?
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.
What contributes to a good quality of life for a longer stay in Bhutan, and how should you budget and choose a neighborhood?
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.

Bhutan vs other spots: cost of living compared

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