Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $202 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A couple spends around $313 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $424 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.87 BTN 242

$4.02 BTN 340

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.49 BTN 1,477

$9.33 BTN 787

$58.3 BTN 4,922

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.41 BTN 288

$2.84 BTN 239

$3.41 BTN 288

Cappuccino

$1.41 BTN 119

$1.14 BTN 96.6

$2.85 BTN 240

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

$0.48 BTN 40.11

$0.28 BTN 23.26

$0.78 BTN 65.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 BTN 14.34

$0.12 BTN 10.13

$0.23 BTN 19.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.90 BTN 245

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 BTN 198

$1.76 BTN 149

$2.34 BTN 198

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 BTN 72.4

$0.71 BTN 60.3

$0.95 BTN 80.2

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 BTN 68.5

$0.34 BTN 28.87

$1.71 BTN 144

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 56.6

$0.56 BTN 47.54

$0.84 BTN 71.3

Eggs

$1.96 BTN 165

$1.06 BTN 89.7

$2.78 BTN 235

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.19 BTN 269

$2.27 BTN 191

$5.49 BTN 464

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.60 BTN 304

$2.17 BTN 183

$4.60 BTN 388

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.28 BTN 362

$3.60 BTN 304

$4.80 BTN 405

Apples (1kg)

$2.82 BTN 238

$1.19 BTN 100

$4.14 BTN 350

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 BTN 142

$1.15 BTN 97.2

$3.44 BTN 291

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 BTN 182

$1.08 BTN 90.9

$2.99 BTN 252

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 BTN 76.0

$0.45 BTN 37.98

$1.78 BTN 150

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 46.40

$0.36 BTN 30.64

$0.60 BTN 50.8

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 56.4

$0.45 BTN 37.83

$1.12 BTN 94.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 BTN 32.97

$0.22 BTN 18.49

$0.95 BTN 80.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 34.37

$0.24 BTN 20.27

$0.61 BTN 51.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 BTN 325

$2.36 BTN 200

$4.73 BTN 399

Wine (Bottle)

$3.05 BTN 258

$2.54 BTN 214

$3.56 BTN 301

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 BTN 63.0

$0.42 BTN 35.38

$0.95 BTN 80.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 BTN 96.4

$0.92 BTN 77.3

$1.72 BTN 145

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.08 BTN 176

$1.24 BTN 105

$3.57 BTN 301

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.92 BTN 331

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 BTN 71.9

$0.57 BTN 47.95

$1.15 BTN 96.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.29 BTN 193

$1.72 BTN 145

$2.85 BTN 241

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.64

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 BTN 80.8

$0.72 BTN 60.8

$1.29 BTN 109

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)

$24.8K BTN 2.1M

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

$22.94 BTN 1,937

$11.56 BTN 975

$34.33 BTN 2,898

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

$37.07 BTN 3,129

$17.24 BTN 1,456

$56.9 BTN 4,803

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.00 BTN 1,942

$11.87 BTN 1,002

$35.27 BTN 2,978

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.83 BTN 4,122

$17.58 BTN 1,484

$87.9 BTN 7,418

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.10 BTN 515

Cinema Ticket

$3.45 BTN 291

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

$242 BTN 20.4K

$43.42 BTN 3,665

$440 BTN 37.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$665 BTN 56.1K

$636 BTN 53.7K

$694 BTN 58.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.30 BTN 1,714

$9.19 BTN 776

$28.73 BTN 2,426

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.71 BTN 988

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.46 BTN 4,091

$29.08 BTN 2,455

$64.0 BTN 5,400

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.75 BTN 3,271

$29.07 BTN 2,454

$40.69 BTN 3,435

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$103 BTN 8,725

$57.1 BTN 4,817

$165 BTN 14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$67.9 BTN 5,729

$30.49 BTN 2,574

$147 BTN 12.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 BTN 14.6K

$92.2 BTN 7,782

$231 BTN 19.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 BTN 11.5K

$91.8 BTN 7,753

$443 BTN 37.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,481 BTN 462.7K

$733 BTN 61.9K

$12.6K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,689 BTN 142.6K

$401 BTN 33.8K

$2,977 BTN 251.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$425 BTN 35.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $393 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $202. Most full-time workers can cover expenses and save.

Groceries average around $71.0 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $4.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($202) is 85% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($83.0) is 87% below the global median of $631.

Dining out ($4.00) is 92% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($1.00) is 97% below the global median of $33.00.

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	-		$106	$97.7	$258	$224	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$148	$3.14	$220	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$191	$308	$456	$638	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$394	$457	$959	$1,041	42.13	29.16
5	Trongsa	2800						29.16	10.14

Bhutan Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.

Bhutan is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.

Rent in Bhutan varies a lot – Thimphu has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Bhutan, $1,000 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.