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 266

$4.01 BTN 373

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.42 BTN 1,619

$9.29 BTN 863

$58.1 BTN 5,395

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.52 BTN 327

$2.92 BTN 272

$3.52 BTN 327

Cappuccino

$1.47 BTN 137

$1.20 BTN 111

$2.98 BTN 277

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

$0.52 BTN 48.32

$0.30 BTN 28.02

$0.85 BTN 79.2

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 14.49

$0.11 BTN 10.23

$0.21 BTN 19.60

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.83 BTN 263

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 BTN 210

$1.70 BTN 158

$2.26 BTN 210

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 BTN 77.0

$0.69 BTN 64.2

$0.92 BTN 85.2

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 BTN 73.7

$0.33 BTN 31.06

$1.67 BTN 155

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.70 BTN 65.4

$0.59 BTN 55.0

$0.89 BTN 82.5

Eggs

$1.99 BTN 185

$1.08 BTN 101

$2.83 BTN 263

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.23 BTN 300

$2.30 BTN 213

$5.57 BTN 517

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.66 BTN 340

$2.21 BTN 205

$4.68 BTN 435

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.15 BTN 385

$3.49 BTN 324

$4.65 BTN 432

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 257

$1.16 BTN 108

$4.06 BTN 377

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 163

$1.20 BTN 111

$3.58 BTN 333

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 BTN 192

$1.03 BTN 95.8

$2.86 BTN 266

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 BTN 90.1

$0.48 BTN 45.05

$1.92 BTN 178

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 BTN 51.7

$0.37 BTN 34.13

$0.61 BTN 56.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 64.0

$0.46 BTN 42.99

$1.15 BTN 107

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 BTN 36.58

$0.22 BTN 20.52

$0.96 BTN 89.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 BTN 37.43

$0.24 BTN 22.07

$0.60 BTN 55.7

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.74 BTN 348

$2.30 BTN 214

$4.60 BTN 428

Wine (Bottle)

$3.14 BTN 292

$2.61 BTN 243

$4.18 BTN 388

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 BTN 65.2

$0.39 BTN 36.62

$0.89 BTN 83.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 BTN 109

$0.94 BTN 87.5

$1.77 BTN 165

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 BTN 187

$1.20 BTN 112

$3.45 BTN 320

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.92 BTN 364

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 BTN 82.1

$0.59 BTN 54.7

$1.19 BTN 110

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.35 BTN 218

$1.76 BTN 163

$2.92 BTN 271

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.18 BTN 16.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 89.8

$0.73 BTN 67.6

$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 2.2M

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

$23.16 BTN 2,152

$11.67 BTN 1,084

$34.66 BTN 3,220

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

$37.47 BTN 3,481

$17.43 BTN 1,619

$57.5 BTN 5,343

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.54 BTN 2,094

$11.63 BTN 1,081

$34.56 BTN 3,211

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.76 BTN 4,530

$17.56 BTN 1,631

$87.8 BTN 8,153

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.29 BTN 584

Cinema Ticket

$3.53 BTN 328

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

$246 BTN 22.8K

$44.11 BTN 4,098

$447 BTN 41.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$664 BTN 61.7K

$635 BTN 59.0K

$693 BTN 64.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.19 BTN 1,876

$9.14 BTN 849

$28.58 BTN 2,655

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.45 BTN 1,064

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.16 BTN 4,567

$29.50 BTN 2,740

$64.9 BTN 6,028

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.73 BTN 3,598

$29.05 BTN 2,698

$40.66 BTN 3,777

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,618

$57.2 BTN 5,310

$166 BTN 15.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.5 BTN 6,360

$30.76 BTN 2,858

$149 BTN 13.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 BTN 16.5K

$94.9 BTN 8,819

$237 BTN 22.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$138 BTN 12.8K

$92.7 BTN 8,614

$448 BTN 41.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,528 BTN 142.0K

$640 BTN 59.4K

$3,199 BTN 297.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,170 BTN 108.7K

$107 BTN 9,951

$2,999 BTN 278.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$530 BTN 49.2K

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.