Last update: Oct 2026 787.4K

Cost of Living in Bhutan

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Across Bhutan, living costs for one person average $500 a month, including rent and utilities, which take less than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $13 a day.

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🇧🇹 Bhutan

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bhutan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bhutan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $500 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$500 /mo

A couple spends around $776 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$776 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,051 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$1,051 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.65 BTN 252

$1.06 BTN 101

$5.31 BTN 505

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.38 BTN 1,367

$8.49 BTN 808

$53.3 BTN 5,064

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.07 BTN 482

$4.27 BTN 406

$5.87 BTN 558

Cappuccino

$1.25 BTN 119

$1.01 BTN 96.2

$1.53 BTN 145

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

$0.52 BTN 49.26

$0.38 BTN 36.45

$0.76 BTN 71.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 15.25

$0.14 BTN 13.55

$0.19 BTN 17.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.66 BTN 253

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.54 BTN 146

$1.02 BTN 97.0

$2.05 BTN 195

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 BTN 75.0

$0.51 BTN 48.11

$0.91 BTN 87.0

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 BTN 81.7

$0.32 BTN 30.89

$1.65 BTN 156

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 BTN 92.9

$0.41 BTN 39.39

$1.55 BTN 147

Eggs

$1.61 BTN 153

$0.98 BTN 93.5

$2.57 BTN 245

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.30 BTN 314

$2.03 BTN 193

$5.57 BTN 530

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.69 BTN 351

$2.15 BTN 204

$5.91 BTN 562

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.71 BTN 353

$2.16 BTN 205

$7.17 BTN 682

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 BTN 233

$1.02 BTN 97.1

$5.64 BTN 536

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 BTN 150

$1.07 BTN 102

$2.26 BTN 215

Oranges (1kg)

$1.59 BTN 152

$0.92 BTN 88.0

$2.16 BTN 206

Tomato (1kg)

$0.89 BTN 84.5

$0.40 BTN 38.18

$2.10 BTN 200

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 BTN 53.2

$0.30 BTN 28.92

$1.02 BTN 97.0

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 BTN 66.6

$0.43 BTN 40.54

$1.43 BTN 136

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 BTN 58.8

$0.20 BTN 18.98

$0.95 BTN 90.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.32 BTN 30.53

$0.22 BTN 20.68

$1.04 BTN 98.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.89 BTN 370

$3.11 BTN 296

$4.67 BTN 444

Wine (Bottle)

$2.92 BTN 277

$1.38 BTN 131

$3.72 BTN 354

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 BTN 80.4

$0.39 BTN 36.70

$1.49 BTN 142

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BTN 102

$0.77 BTN 73.0

$2.06 BTN 196

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.81 BTN 76.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.24 BTN 499

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.76 BTN 72.1

$0.51 BTN 48.04

$1.01 BTN 96.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 BTN 152

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.17 BTN 15.87

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 BTN 68.7

$0.61 BTN 58.5

$1.11 BTN 106

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

$16.4K BTN 1.6M

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

$15.4K BTN 1.5M

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

$33.41 BTN 3,177

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

$35.50 BTN 3,376

$15.56 BTN 1,479

$55.4 BTN 5,271

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.31 BTN 2,312

$10.48 BTN 997

$33.61 BTN 3,197

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.20 BTN 4,489

$26.23 BTN 2,494

$78.7 BTN 7,482

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.96 BTN 567

Cinema Ticket

$3.20 BTN 304

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

$45.52 BTN 4,329

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$577 BTN 54.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.78 BTN 3,403

$21.09 BTN 2,006

$50.5 BTN 4,801

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.85 BTN 1,698

$10.52 BTN 1,000

$25.19 BTN 2,395

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.0 BTN 5,139

$41.16 BTN 3,915

$66.9 BTN 6,362

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.48 BTN 2,424

$14.19 BTN 1,350

$36.79 BTN 3,498

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$117 BTN 11.2K

$92.6 BTN 8,803

$197 BTN 18.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$85.3 BTN 8,107

$77.8 BTN 7,396

$149 BTN 14.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$174 BTN 16.6K

$113 BTN 10.7K

$492 BTN 46.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$149 BTN 14.2K

$101 BTN 9,581

$457 BTN 43.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,517 BTN 524.7K

$738 BTN 70.1K

$12.7K BTN 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,671 BTN 158.9K

$396 BTN 37.7K

$2,946 BTN 280.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$316 BTN 30.0K

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Bhutan $500

Groceries & Markets

$120 24.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$93 18.6%

Accommodation & Living

$85 17%

Eating Out

$71 14.1%

Clothing & Footwear

$60 12%

Sport & Entertainment

$54 10.7%

Getting Around

$17 3.4%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $293 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $500. 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 cost of living ($500) is 63% below the global median of $1,350.

Average rent ($85.0) is 87% below the global median of $652.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($3.00) is 94% below the global median of $48.00.

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

Good to know

🕒 Local time

21:28 9:28 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

787,424

💱 Currency

Bhutanese Ngultrum BTN Nu.

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 BTN = 10.52 USD

1,000 BTN = 9.35 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	-		$103	$103	$237	$237	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	11448			$148	$3.49	$459	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	21500		$48.93	$133	$109	$231	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	25	$398	$518	$908	$1,100	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.