Last update: Oct 2026 787.4K

Cost of Living in Bhutan

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Across Bhutan, living costs for one person average $502 a month, including rent and utilities, which take less than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $13 a day.

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🇧🇹 Bhutan

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bhutan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bhutan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $502 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$502 /mo

A couple spends around $778 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$778 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,053 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$1,053 /mo

Across 5 cities in Bhutan, monthly living costs range from $103 to $522 – a $419 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.65 BTN 253

$1.06 BTN 101

$5.31 BTN 506

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.13 BTN 1,346

$8.35 BTN 796

$52.3 BTN 4,985

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 BTN 477

$4.22 BTN 402

$5.80 BTN 553

Cappuccino

$1.29 BTN 123

$1.04 BTN 99.1

$1.57 BTN 149

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

$0.48 BTN 46.17

$0.35 BTN 33.50

$0.70 BTN 67.0

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 15.48

$0.14 BTN 13.76

$0.19 BTN 18.06

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.56 BTN 244

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 BTN 155

$1.08 BTN 103

$2.16 BTN 206

Milk (1 liter)

$0.78 BTN 74.0

$0.51 BTN 48.42

$0.91 BTN 86.8

White Bread (500g)

$0.84 BTN 80.2

$0.33 BTN 31.29

$1.62 BTN 155

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 BTN 94.1

$0.41 BTN 39.52

$1.56 BTN 149

Eggs

$1.56 BTN 149

$0.96 BTN 91.4

$2.49 BTN 237

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.33 BTN 318

$2.05 BTN 195

$5.63 BTN 537

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.71 BTN 354

$2.15 BTN 205

$5.96 BTN 568

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.91 BTN 373

$2.26 BTN 216

$7.57 BTN 721

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 BTN 232

$1.02 BTN 97.5

$5.63 BTN 536

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 BTN 150

$1.07 BTN 102

$2.24 BTN 213

Oranges (1kg)

$1.59 BTN 152

$0.93 BTN 88.4

$2.15 BTN 205

Tomato (1kg)

$0.92 BTN 87.6

$0.41 BTN 39.14

$2.15 BTN 205

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 BTN 58.0

$0.34 BTN 32.01

$1.10 BTN 105

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 65.6

$0.41 BTN 39.33

$1.40 BTN 133

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 BTN 60.9

$0.21 BTN 19.69

$0.98 BTN 93.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.33 BTN 31.73

$0.22 BTN 20.82

$1.04 BTN 99.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 BTN 369

$3.10 BTN 295

$4.65 BTN 444

Wine (Bottle)

$2.91 BTN 277

$1.38 BTN 131

$3.70 BTN 353

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 BTN 80.4

$0.38 BTN 36.28

$1.47 BTN 140

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BTN 102

$0.78 BTN 74.0

$2.06 BTN 197

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.82 BTN 78.2

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.12 BTN 488

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.83 BTN 78.8

$0.55 BTN 52.9

$1.10 BTN 105

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 BTN 146

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.14 BTN 13.61

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 BTN 73.2

$0.66 BTN 62.5

$1.18 BTN 112

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

$16.4K BTN 1.6M

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

$15.2K BTN 1.4M

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

$34.15 BTN 3,254

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

$36.40 BTN 3,469

$16.03 BTN 1,527

$56.8 BTN 5,411

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.12 BTN 2,299

$10.43 BTN 994

$33.27 BTN 3,170

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.93 BTN 4,472

$26.07 BTN 2,484

$78.2 BTN 7,453

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.19 BTN 590

Cinema Ticket

$3.16 BTN 301

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

$44.49 BTN 4,240

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$588 BTN 56.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.65 BTN 3,397

$21.10 BTN 2,011

$50.2 BTN 4,784

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.58 BTN 1,675

$10.40 BTN 991

$24.74 BTN 2,358

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.7 BTN 5,211

$41.66 BTN 3,970

$67.7 BTN 6,452

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.70 BTN 2,449

$14.30 BTN 1,363

$37.09 BTN 3,534

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$120 BTN 11.4K

$94.4 BTN 8,995

$200 BTN 19.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$85.6 BTN 8,152

$78.0 BTN 7,435

$148 BTN 14.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$180 BTN 17.1K

$116 BTN 11.1K

$502 BTN 47.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 BTN 14.3K

$101 BTN 9,625

$455 BTN 43.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,519 BTN 525.9K

$738 BTN 70.3K

$12.7K BTN 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,676 BTN 159.7K

$398 BTN 37.9K

$2,955 BTN 281.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$322 BTN 30.7K

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Bhutan $502

Groceries & Markets

$121 24.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$95 18.9%

Accommodation & Living

$86 17%

Eating Out

$70 14%

Clothing & Footwear

$60 12%

Sport & Entertainment

$53 10.6%

Getting Around

$17 3.4%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $295 – below average monthly costs of $502. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $115 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $14.

Most affordable: Kanglung at $103 per month. The capital, Thimphu, sits at $522. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $419 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($502) is 63% below the global median of $1,361.

Average rent ($142) is 79% below the global median of $661.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($14) is 71% below the global median of $48.

Public transport ($5) is 85% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

16:27 4:27 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

787,424

💱 Currency

Bhutanese Ngultrum BTN Nu.

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 BTN = 10.49 USD

1,000 BTN = 9.4 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	$237	$237	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	11448			$153	$3.59	$446	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	21500		$49.74	$135	$111	$231	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	25	$398	$522	$911	$1,100	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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Bhutan range from $103 in the most affordable city to $522 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Bhutan vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $103 in affordable regions to $522 in major cities.

Rent in Bhutan varies a lot – Thimphu has the highest prices, and other cities are usually cheaper. 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.