Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $396 (excluding rent), and $487 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $917 (excluding rent), and $1,062 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 BTN 263

$4.01 BTN 369

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.75 BTN 1,635

$9.46 BTN 872

$59.2 BTN 5,450

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.56 BTN 328

$2.96 BTN 273

$3.56 BTN 328

Cappuccino

$1.47 BTN 136

$1.20 BTN 110

$2.98 BTN 274

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

$0.52 BTN 47.71

$0.30 BTN 27.67

$0.85 BTN 78.2

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 14.88

$0.11 BTN 10.50

$0.22 BTN 20.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.90 BTN 267

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 BTN 209

$1.70 BTN 157

$2.27 BTN 209

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 BTN 78.9

$0.71 BTN 65.7

$0.95 BTN 87.3

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 BTN 80.2

$0.37 BTN 33.82

$1.84 BTN 169

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 65.4

$0.60 BTN 55.0

$0.90 BTN 82.5

Eggs

$1.98 BTN 183

$1.08 BTN 99.3

$2.82 BTN 260

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.33 BTN 307

$2.37 BTN 218

$5.74 BTN 528

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.69 BTN 340

$2.22 BTN 205

$4.71 BTN 434

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.07 BTN 375

$3.43 BTN 316

$4.56 BTN 420

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 255

$1.17 BTN 107

$4.06 BTN 374

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 161

$1.20 BTN 110

$3.58 BTN 330

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 BTN 199

$1.08 BTN 99.3

$2.99 BTN 275

Tomato (1kg)

$0.96 BTN 88.0

$0.48 BTN 44.00

$1.89 BTN 174

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 BTN 47.27

$0.34 BTN 31.22

$0.56 BTN 51.7

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 63.2

$0.46 BTN 42.44

$1.15 BTN 106

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 BTN 36.09

$0.22 BTN 20.24

$0.96 BTN 88.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.37 BTN 34.22

$0.22 BTN 20.18

$0.55 BTN 50.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.83 BTN 353

$2.35 BTN 217

$4.71 BTN 434

Wine (Bottle)

$3.37 BTN 310

$2.80 BTN 258

$4.49 BTN 413

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 BTN 66.1

$0.40 BTN 37.14

$0.91 BTN 84.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 BTN 105

$0.92 BTN 84.5

$1.73 BTN 159

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.09 BTN 192

$1.25 BTN 115

$3.58 BTN 330

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.10 BTN 377

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 BTN 77.5

$0.56 BTN 51.7

$1.13 BTN 104

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 BTN 214

$1.74 BTN 161

$2.90 BTN 267

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.18 BTN 16.19

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 BTN 81.9

$0.67 BTN 61.6

$1.19 BTN 110

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

$19.0K BTN 1.8M

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

$24.0K BTN 2.2M

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

$22.98 BTN 2,117

$11.58 BTN 1,066

$34.39 BTN 3,168

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

$37.62 BTN 3,465

$17.50 BTN 1,612

$57.7 BTN 5,319

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.84 BTN 2,104

$11.79 BTN 1,086

$35.02 BTN 3,226

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.67 BTN 4,391

$17.16 BTN 1,581

$85.8 BTN 7,902

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.21 BTN 572

Cinema Ticket

$3.51 BTN 324

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

$245 BTN 22.5K

$43.94 BTN 4,048

$445 BTN 41.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$664 BTN 61.1K

$635 BTN 58.5K

$692 BTN 63.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.43 BTN 1,882

$9.25 BTN 852

$28.92 BTN 2,664

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.73 BTN 1,080

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.26 BTN 4,538

$29.56 BTN 2,723

$65.0 BTN 5,989

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.42 BTN 3,539

$28.82 BTN 2,654

$40.34 BTN 3,716

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,561

$57.3 BTN 5,278

$166 BTN 15.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$69.0 BTN 6,354

$31.00 BTN 2,855

$150 BTN 13.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 BTN 16.0K

$92.4 BTN 8,513

$231 BTN 21.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$141 BTN 13.0K

$94.9 BTN 8,738

$458 BTN 42.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,569 BTN 144.5K

$657 BTN 60.5K

$3,283 BTN 302.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,203 BTN 110.8K

$110 BTN 10.1K

$3,083 BTN 284.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$542 BTN 49.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: March 1, 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	-		$97.8	$98.9	$204	$224	110.29	2.02
2	Paro	-			$150	$3.78	$223	126.08	10.26
3	Punakha	-		$194	$315	$450	$617	174.73	5.89
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$388	$458	$846	$1,032	242.12	27.95
5	Trongsa	2800						18.4	13.34

Bhutan Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 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.