Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

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.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$530 BTN 49.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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	Kanglung	-		$94.8	$97.7	$207	$229	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$149	$3.77	$217	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$247	$318	$452	$637	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$408	$472	$922	$1,025	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.