Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $175 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A couple spends around $281 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $387 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.68 BTN 226

$1.07 BTN 90.4

$5.36 BTN 453

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.03 BTN 1,185

$8.29 BTN 700

$52.0 BTN 4,386

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.75 BTN 317

$3.22 BTN 272

$4.30 BTN 363

Cappuccino

$1.36 BTN 115

$1.04 BTN 87.8

$1.56 BTN 132

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

$0.52 BTN 44.02

$0.38 BTN 31.94

$0.76 BTN 63.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 13.34

$0.14 BTN 11.86

$0.18 BTN 15.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.70 BTN 228

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 BTN 182

$1.63 BTN 137

$2.16 BTN 182

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 BTN 66.3

$0.51 BTN 42.87

$0.91 BTN 76.9

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 BTN 72.5

$0.33 BTN 28.27

$1.65 BTN 140

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.03 BTN 86.8

$0.43 BTN 36.45

$1.62 BTN 137

Eggs

$1.53 BTN 130

$0.94 BTN 79.5

$2.45 BTN 207

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.36 BTN 284

$2.06 BTN 174

$5.68 BTN 479

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.72 BTN 314

$2.15 BTN 181

$5.96 BTN 503

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.74 BTN 316

$2.16 BTN 182

$7.23 BTN 610

Apples (1kg)

$2.47 BTN 209

$1.04 BTN 87.7

$5.72 BTN 483

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 BTN 129

$1.04 BTN 87.7

$2.18 BTN 184

Oranges (1kg)

$1.67 BTN 141

$0.97 BTN 81.9

$2.25 BTN 190

Tomato (1kg)

$0.92 BTN 77.9

$0.41 BTN 34.80

$2.16 BTN 182

Potato (1kg)

$0.60 BTN 51.0

$0.33 BTN 28.16

$1.09 BTN 92.4

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 61.4

$0.44 BTN 36.84

$1.48 BTN 125

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.63 BTN 53.6

$0.21 BTN 17.31

$0.98 BTN 82.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.33 BTN 27.86

$0.22 BTN 18.28

$1.03 BTN 87.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.97 BTN 335

$3.19 BTN 269

$4.77 BTN 402

Wine (Bottle)

$2.96 BTN 250

$1.40 BTN 118

$3.77 BTN 318

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 BTN 68.0

$0.36 BTN 30.69

$1.40 BTN 119

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BTN 90.3

$0.78 BTN 65.5

$2.06 BTN 174

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.82 BTN 69.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.21 BTN 440

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.77 BTN 64.6

$0.51 BTN 43.36

$1.02 BTN 85.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.61 BTN 136

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.14 BTN 11.99

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 BTN 66.3

$0.67 BTN 56.5

$1.20 BTN 102

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

$17.9K BTN 1.5M

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

$18.7K BTN 1.6M

$15.1K BTN 1.3M

$22.3K BTN 1.9M

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

$34.44 BTN 2,907

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

$37.10 BTN 3,132

$15.86 BTN 1,338

$58.4 BTN 4,926

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.52 BTN 2,070

$10.42 BTN 880

$34.51 BTN 2,913

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.73 BTN 3,944

$25.95 BTN 2,191

$77.9 BTN 6,574

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.11 BTN 515

Cinema Ticket

$3.20 BTN 271

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$567 BTN 47.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$21.13 BTN 1,784

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.42 BTN 880

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.3 BTN 4,671

$42.16 BTN 3,559

$68.5 BTN 5,783

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.68 BTN 2,167

$14.30 BTN 1,207

$37.06 BTN 3,129

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$120 BTN 10.2K

$94.1 BTN 7,945

$199 BTN 16.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$85.8 BTN 7,240

$77.8 BTN 6,568

$148 BTN 12.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$184 BTN 15.5K

$118 BTN 9,956

$510 BTN 43.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$148 BTN 12.5K

$99.0 BTN 8,359

$446 BTN 37.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,491 BTN 463.5K

$734 BTN 62.0K

$12.6K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,685 BTN 142.2K

$400 BTN 33.7K

$2,970 BTN 250.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$316 BTN 26.6K

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

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $298 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $175. Most full-time workers can cover expenses and save.

Groceries average around $46.00 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $3.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($175) is 87% below the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($84.0) is 87% below the global median of $661.

Dining out ($3.00) is 94% below the global median of $49.00.

Public transport ($1.00) is 97% below the global median of $34.00.

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	-		$90.8	$102	$204	$242	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$148	$3.70	$452	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$50.5	$131	$109	$232	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$359	$494	$772	$1,010	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.