Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $203 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A couple spends around $311 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $418 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.98 BTN 252

$4.18 BTN 353

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.53 BTN 1,480

$9.35 BTN 789

$58.4 BTN 4,931

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.56 BTN 301

$2.96 BTN 250

$3.56 BTN 301

Cappuccino

$1.42 BTN 120

$1.15 BTN 97.4

$2.87 BTN 242

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

$0.52 BTN 43.68

$0.30 BTN 25.34

$0.85 BTN 71.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 16.00

$0.13 BTN 11.29

$0.26 BTN 21.64

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.84 BTN 240

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 BTN 191

$1.70 BTN 144

$2.26 BTN 191

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 BTN 73.3

$0.72 BTN 61.1

$0.96 BTN 81.2

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 BTN 68.5

$0.34 BTN 28.88

$1.71 BTN 144

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.66 BTN 55.9

$0.56 BTN 47.01

$0.84 BTN 70.5

Eggs

$2.02 BTN 170

$1.09 BTN 92.4

$2.86 BTN 242

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.26 BTN 275

$2.31 BTN 195

$5.61 BTN 474

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.54 BTN 299

$2.14 BTN 180

$4.52 BTN 382

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.11 BTN 347

$3.46 BTN 292

$4.60 BTN 389

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 BTN 230

$1.15 BTN 96.9

$4.00 BTN 338

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 148

$1.20 BTN 101

$3.58 BTN 302

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 BTN 173

$1.03 BTN 86.6

$2.84 BTN 240

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 BTN 76.4

$0.45 BTN 38.19

$1.79 BTN 151

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 BTN 43.59

$0.34 BTN 28.79

$0.57 BTN 47.71

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 56.5

$0.45 BTN 37.96

$1.12 BTN 94.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.40 BTN 33.51

$0.22 BTN 18.80

$0.97 BTN 81.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 34.22

$0.24 BTN 20.18

$0.60 BTN 50.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.77 BTN 318

$2.32 BTN 196

$4.64 BTN 391

Wine (Bottle)

$3.14 BTN 265

$2.62 BTN 221

$3.66 BTN 309

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 BTN 58.6

$0.39 BTN 32.92

$0.88 BTN 74.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.18 BTN 99.7

$0.95 BTN 79.9

$1.78 BTN 150

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 BTN 168

$1.19 BTN 100

$3.41 BTN 287

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.91 BTN 330

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 BTN 75.6

$0.60 BTN 50.4

$1.20 BTN 102

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.24 BTN 189

$1.68 BTN 142

$2.79 BTN 235

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.71

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 BTN 79.7

$0.71 BTN 60.0

$1.27 BTN 107

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

$19.0K BTN 1.6M

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

$24.4K BTN 2.1M

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

$23.21 BTN 1,959

$11.69 BTN 987

$34.73 BTN 2,932

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

$36.94 BTN 3,118

$17.18 BTN 1,450

$56.7 BTN 4,786

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.33 BTN 1,885

$11.53 BTN 973

$34.25 BTN 2,891

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.20 BTN 4,153

$17.71 BTN 1,495

$88.6 BTN 7,475

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.02 BTN 509

Cinema Ticket

$3.44 BTN 290

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

$240 BTN 20.3K

$43.18 BTN 3,645

$438 BTN 36.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$672 BTN 56.7K

$643 BTN 54.3K

$701 BTN 59.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.91 BTN 1,765

$9.47 BTN 799

$29.59 BTN 2,498

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.47 BTN 968

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.67 BTN 4,024

$28.60 BTN 2,415

$62.9 BTN 5,312

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.13 BTN 3,303

$29.35 BTN 2,477

$41.08 BTN 3,468

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$105 BTN 8,825

$57.7 BTN 4,872

$167 BTN 14.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.9 BTN 5,818

$30.97 BTN 2,614

$150 BTN 12.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 BTN 14.6K

$92.3 BTN 7,787

$231 BTN 19.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$139 BTN 11.8K

$93.6 BTN 7,902

$452 BTN 38.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,492 BTN 463.6K

$734 BTN 62.0K

$12.6K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,679 BTN 141.7K

$398 BTN 33.6K

$2,959 BTN 249.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$419 BTN 35.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $385 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $203. 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 ($203) is 85% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($84.0) is 87% below the global median of $632.

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.

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	-		$101	$96.2	$227	$225	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$151	$3.70	$223	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$229	$315	$516	$619	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$321	$455	$824	$1,024	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.