Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $204 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

A couple spends around $314 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.95 BTN 249

$4.14 BTN 350

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.23 BTN 1,454

$9.18 BTN 775

$57.4 BTN 4,847

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.44 BTN 290

$2.86 BTN 241

$3.44 BTN 290

Cappuccino

$1.45 BTN 123

$1.18 BTN 99.7

$2.94 BTN 248

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

$0.48 BTN 40.47

$0.28 BTN 23.47

$0.79 BTN 66.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 13.43

$0.11 BTN 9.48

$0.22 BTN 18.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.98 BTN 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 BTN 195

$1.73 BTN 146

$2.31 BTN 195

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 BTN 73.5

$0.73 BTN 61.3

$0.96 BTN 81.4

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 BTN 71.8

$0.36 BTN 30.27

$1.79 BTN 151

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 56.9

$0.57 BTN 47.83

$0.85 BTN 71.7

Eggs

$1.96 BTN 165

$1.06 BTN 89.7

$2.78 BTN 235

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.18 BTN 269

$2.26 BTN 191

$5.48 BTN 463

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.66 BTN 309

$2.21 BTN 186

$4.67 BTN 394

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.23 BTN 357

$3.56 BTN 301

$4.74 BTN 400

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 234

$1.17 BTN 98.4

$4.06 BTN 343

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 148

$1.20 BTN 101

$3.59 BTN 303

Oranges (1kg)

$2.12 BTN 179

$1.06 BTN 89.7

$2.94 BTN 248

Tomato (1kg)

$0.92 BTN 78.0

$0.46 BTN 38.99

$1.83 BTN 154

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 BTN 43.33

$0.34 BTN 28.61

$0.56 BTN 47.42

Onion (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 60.0

$0.48 BTN 40.29

$1.19 BTN 100

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.40 BTN 33.57

$0.22 BTN 18.83

$0.97 BTN 81.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 34.50

$0.24 BTN 20.35

$0.61 BTN 51.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.80 BTN 321

$2.34 BTN 197

$4.68 BTN 395

Wine (Bottle)

$3.25 BTN 274

$2.70 BTN 228

$3.79 BTN 320

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 BTN 62.5

$0.42 BTN 35.10

$0.94 BTN 79.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.19 BTN 100

$0.95 BTN 80.3

$1.79 BTN 151

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 BTN 168

$1.19 BTN 101

$3.42 BTN 288

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.10 BTN 347

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.91 BTN 76.4

$0.60 BTN 51.0

$1.22 BTN 103

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.26 BTN 191

$1.69 BTN 143

$2.81 BTN 238

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.69

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 BTN 80.3

$0.72 BTN 60.5

$1.28 BTN 108

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)

$24.7K BTN 2.1M

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

$22.67 BTN 1,914

$11.42 BTN 964

$33.93 BTN 2,864

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

$37.55 BTN 3,170

$17.47 BTN 1,475

$57.6 BTN 4,866

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.97 BTN 1,939

$11.86 BTN 1,001

$35.22 BTN 2,973

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.34 BTN 4,081

$17.40 BTN 1,469

$87.0 BTN 7,344

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.29 BTN 531

Cinema Ticket

$3.53 BTN 298

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

$242 BTN 20.4K

$43.48 BTN 3,670

$441 BTN 37.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$680 BTN 57.4K

$651 BTN 54.9K

$710 BTN 59.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.29 BTN 1,713

$9.19 BTN 776

$28.72 BTN 2,425

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.58 BTN 978

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.51 BTN 4,095

$29.10 BTN 2,457

$64.0 BTN 5,405

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.46 BTN 3,331

$29.60 BTN 2,498

$41.43 BTN 3,498

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$105 BTN 8,854

$57.9 BTN 4,888

$168 BTN 14.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.9 BTN 5,815

$30.96 BTN 2,613

$150 BTN 12.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$176 BTN 14.9K

$94.0 BTN 7,938

$235 BTN 19.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 BTN 11.9K

$94.5 BTN 7,980

$456 BTN 38.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,532 BTN 466.9K

$740 BTN 62.4K

$12.7K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,689 BTN 142.5K

$401 BTN 33.8K

$2,977 BTN 251.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$423 BTN 35.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary across Bhutan is $393 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $204. 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 ($204) is 85% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($85.0) is 86% below the global median of $627.

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.

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.