Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $176 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A couple spends around $284 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $391 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.63 BTN 222

$1.05 BTN 88.7

$5.25 BTN 443

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.18 BTN 1,197

$8.38 BTN 707

$52.5 BTN 4,434

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.61 BTN 305

$3.09 BTN 261

$4.12 BTN 348

Cappuccino

$1.34 BTN 113

$1.03 BTN 87.0

$1.55 BTN 130

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

$0.53 BTN 44.87

$0.38 BTN 31.93

$0.76 BTN 63.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 BTN 15.36

$0.15 BTN 12.94

$0.20 BTN 16.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.69 BTN 227

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 BTN 174

$1.54 BTN 130

$2.06 BTN 174

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 BTN 72.0

$0.55 BTN 46.51

$0.99 BTN 83.4

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 BTN 71.8

$0.33 BTN 27.68

$1.63 BTN 138

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 BTN 83.0

$0.41 BTN 34.53

$1.55 BTN 131

Eggs

$1.61 BTN 136

$0.98 BTN 83.0

$2.57 BTN 217

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.40 BTN 287

$2.09 BTN 177

$5.76 BTN 486

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.94 BTN 333

$2.27 BTN 191

$6.32 BTN 534

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.75 BTN 316

$2.15 BTN 182

$7.26 BTN 613

Apples (1kg)

$2.49 BTN 210

$1.05 BTN 88.5

$5.77 BTN 487

Banana (1kg)

$1.60 BTN 135

$1.09 BTN 91.7

$2.25 BTN 190

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 BTN 136

$0.93 BTN 78.6

$2.16 BTN 182

Tomato (1kg)

$0.93 BTN 78.4

$0.41 BTN 35.03

$2.17 BTN 183

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 46.60

$0.30 BTN 25.71

$1.01 BTN 85.2

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 62.0

$0.44 BTN 37.20

$1.50 BTN 127

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 BTN 53.9

$0.21 BTN 17.42

$0.98 BTN 82.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.34 BTN 28.29

$0.22 BTN 18.57

$1.05 BTN 88.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.90 BTN 329

$3.12 BTN 263

$4.68 BTN 395

Wine (Bottle)

$2.89 BTN 244

$1.37 BTN 116

$3.68 BTN 311

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.80 BTN 67.2

$0.36 BTN 30.31

$1.39 BTN 117

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 BTN 94.1

$0.80 BTN 67.6

$2.15 BTN 181

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.82 BTN 69.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.17 BTN 436

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 BTN 68.3

$0.54 BTN 45.83

$1.09 BTN 91.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 BTN 135

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 BTN 66.2

$0.67 BTN 56.5

$1.20 BTN 101

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

$15.1K BTN 1.3M

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

$34.89 BTN 2,945

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

$36.96 BTN 3,120

$15.87 BTN 1,340

$58.1 BTN 4,901

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.70 BTN 2,085

$10.52 BTN 888

$34.63 BTN 2,923

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.04 BTN 3,971

$26.13 BTN 2,206

$78.4 BTN 6,618

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.97 BTN 504

Cinema Ticket

$3.13 BTN 264

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$584 BTN 49.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$21.57 BTN 1,821

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.47 BTN 884

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.3 BTN 4,752

$42.88 BTN 3,620

$69.7 BTN 5,883

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.84 BTN 2,182

$14.39 BTN 1,214

$37.30 BTN 3,149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$123 BTN 10.4K

$96.2 BTN 8,123

$202 BTN 17.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$88.6 BTN 7,478

$80.4 BTN 6,783

$152 BTN 12.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$179 BTN 15.1K

$115 BTN 9,722

$494 BTN 41.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 BTN 12.8K

$101 BTN 8,529

$452 BTN 38.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,486 BTN 463.1K

$733 BTN 61.9K

$12.6K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,690 BTN 142.7K

$401 BTN 33.8K

$2,980 BTN 251.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$328 BTN 27.7K

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

Last update: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $301 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $176. 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 ($176) is 87% below the global median of $1,379.

Average rent ($85.0) is 87% below the global median of $664.

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	-		$103	$103	$242	$238	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$147	$3.64	$458	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$50.1	$133	$109	$234	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$403	$498	$830	$1,026	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.