Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $393 (excluding rent), and $493 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $915 (excluding rent), and $1,085 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.88 BTN 261

$4.03 BTN 366

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.21 BTN 1,562

$9.18 BTN 833

$57.4 BTN 5,206

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.51 BTN 319

$2.92 BTN 265

$3.51 BTN 319

Cappuccino

$1.48 BTN 134

$1.20 BTN 109

$2.98 BTN 271

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

$0.48 BTN 43.17

$0.28 BTN 25.04

$0.78 BTN 70.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 BTN 15.10

$0.12 BTN 10.66

$0.23 BTN 20.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.85 BTN 258

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 BTN 206

$1.71 BTN 155

$2.27 BTN 206

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 BTN 75.1

$0.69 BTN 62.6

$0.92 BTN 83.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 BTN 73.4

$0.34 BTN 30.95

$1.71 BTN 155

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 64.2

$0.59 BTN 54.0

$0.89 BTN 80.9

Eggs

$2.01 BTN 182

$1.09 BTN 99.0

$2.85 BTN 259

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.32 BTN 301

$2.36 BTN 214

$5.71 BTN 519

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.74 BTN 339

$2.25 BTN 205

$4.78 BTN 433

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.28 BTN 388

$3.60 BTN 327

$4.80 BTN 435

Apples (1kg)

$2.74 BTN 249

$1.15 BTN 105

$4.03 BTN 365

Banana (1kg)

$1.74 BTN 158

$1.19 BTN 108

$3.56 BTN 323

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 BTN 195

$1.08 BTN 97.7

$2.99 BTN 271

Tomato (1kg)

$0.93 BTN 84.2

$0.46 BTN 42.11

$1.84 BTN 167

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 49.66

$0.36 BTN 32.79

$0.60 BTN 54.3

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 BTN 65.2

$0.48 BTN 43.80

$1.20 BTN 109

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.40 BTN 36.15

$0.22 BTN 20.28

$0.97 BTN 88.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 36.96

$0.24 BTN 21.80

$0.61 BTN 55.0

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.90 BTN 354

$2.40 BTN 218

$4.80 BTN 435

Wine (Bottle)

$3.36 BTN 305

$2.80 BTN 254

$4.48 BTN 407

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 BTN 68.1

$0.42 BTN 38.22

$0.96 BTN 86.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 BTN 102

$0.90 BTN 82.1

$1.70 BTN 154

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.10 BTN 190

$1.25 BTN 114

$3.60 BTN 326

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.97 BTN 360

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 BTN 81.1

$0.60 BTN 54.1

$1.20 BTN 109

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.34 BTN 212

$1.75 BTN 159

$2.91 BTN 264

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.16 BTN 14.91

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 BTN 82.4

$0.68 BTN 62.0

$1.22 BTN 111

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

$19.7K BTN 1.8M

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

$24.4K BTN 2.2M

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

$22.93 BTN 2,081

$11.55 BTN 1,048

$34.31 BTN 3,113

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

$37.32 BTN 3,387

$17.36 BTN 1,575

$57.3 BTN 5,198

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.27 BTN 2,021

$11.50 BTN 1,043

$34.15 BTN 3,099

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.62 BTN 4,412

$17.51 BTN 1,589

$87.5 BTN 7,941

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.08 BTN 551

Cinema Ticket

$3.45 BTN 313

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

$241 BTN 21.9K

$43.29 BTN 3,928

$439 BTN 39.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$673 BTN 61.1K

$644 BTN 58.4K

$702 BTN 63.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.81 BTN 1,888

$9.42 BTN 855

$29.46 BTN 2,673

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.87 BTN 1,077

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.67 BTN 4,326

$28.60 BTN 2,595

$62.9 BTN 5,709

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.63 BTN 3,505

$28.97 BTN 2,629

$40.56 BTN 3,680

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,408

$57.2 BTN 5,194

$166 BTN 15.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.3 BTN 6,198

$30.69 BTN 2,785

$148 BTN 13.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 BTN 16.1K

$94.6 BTN 8,583

$237 BTN 21.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 BTN 12.8K

$94.7 BTN 8,591

$457 BTN 41.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,493 BTN 135.5K

$498 BTN 45.2K

$3,319 BTN 301.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,588 BTN 144.1K

$110 BTN 9,937

$3,066 BTN 278.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$543 BTN 49.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

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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.