Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $398 (excluding rent), and $495 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $907 (excluding rent), and $1,084 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.96 BTN 269

$4.15 BTN 377

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 BTN 1,608

$9.44 BTN 857

$59.0 BTN 5,358

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.42 BTN 310

$2.84 BTN 258

$3.42 BTN 310

Cappuccino

$1.42 BTN 129

$1.15 BTN 105

$2.86 BTN 260

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

$0.49 BTN 44.44

$0.28 BTN 25.78

$0.80 BTN 72.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 17.50

$0.14 BTN 12.35

$0.26 BTN 23.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.85 BTN 259

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 BTN 206

$1.70 BTN 155

$2.27 BTN 206

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 BTN 77.6

$0.71 BTN 64.7

$0.95 BTN 85.9

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 BTN 78.8

$0.37 BTN 33.24

$1.83 BTN 166

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 61.0

$0.57 BTN 51.3

$0.85 BTN 77.0

Eggs

$1.95 BTN 177

$1.06 BTN 96.1

$2.77 BTN 251

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.33 BTN 303

$2.37 BTN 215

$5.74 BTN 522

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.73 BTN 339

$2.25 BTN 204

$4.77 BTN 433

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.18 BTN 380

$3.52 BTN 320

$4.69 BTN 425

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 251

$1.16 BTN 106

$4.06 BTN 369

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 159

$1.19 BTN 108

$3.57 BTN 324

Oranges (1kg)

$2.11 BTN 192

$1.06 BTN 95.9

$2.93 BTN 266

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 BTN 82.4

$0.45 BTN 41.19

$1.80 BTN 163

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 BTN 46.26

$0.34 BTN 30.55

$0.56 BTN 50.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 60.7

$0.45 BTN 40.78

$1.12 BTN 102

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.43 BTN 38.84

$0.24 BTN 21.79

$1.04 BTN 94.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 37.10

$0.24 BTN 21.88

$0.61 BTN 55.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 BTN 349

$2.36 BTN 214

$4.72 BTN 429

Wine (Bottle)

$3.27 BTN 297

$2.73 BTN 248

$4.36 BTN 396

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 BTN 64.4

$0.40 BTN 36.17

$0.90 BTN 82.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 BTN 104

$0.92 BTN 83.3

$1.73 BTN 157

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.09 BTN 190

$1.25 BTN 114

$3.59 BTN 326

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.04 BTN 367

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 BTN 81.8

$0.60 BTN 54.5

$1.21 BTN 110

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.31 BTN 210

$1.73 BTN 157

$2.88 BTN 261

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.18 BTN 15.97

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 BTN 82.2

$0.68 BTN 61.9

$1.22 BTN 110

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

$19.0K BTN 1.7M

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

$24.3K BTN 2.2M

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

$23.45 BTN 2,130

$11.81 BTN 1,073

$35.09 BTN 3,187

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

$37.06 BTN 3,365

$17.24 BTN 1,565

$56.9 BTN 5,164

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.53 BTN 2,046

$11.63 BTN 1,056

$34.55 BTN 3,137

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.08 BTN 4,457

$17.67 BTN 1,605

$88.3 BTN 8,021

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.29 BTN 571

Cinema Ticket

$3.58 BTN 325

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

$243 BTN 22.1K

$43.66 BTN 3,965

$442 BTN 40.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$672 BTN 61.0K

$643 BTN 58.4K

$701 BTN 63.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.85 BTN 1,893

$9.44 BTN 857

$29.51 BTN 2,679

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.45 BTN 1,040

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.20 BTN 4,467

$29.52 BTN 2,680

$64.9 BTN 5,896

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.24 BTN 3,563

$29.43 BTN 2,672

$41.20 BTN 3,741

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,471

$57.6 BTN 5,228

$167 BTN 15.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.9 BTN 6,253

$30.95 BTN 2,810

$149 BTN 13.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 BTN 16.2K

$95.0 BTN 8,624

$237 BTN 21.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$136 BTN 12.4K

$91.6 BTN 8,320

$442 BTN 40.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,490 BTN 135.3K

$497 BTN 45.1K

$3,311 BTN 300.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,578 BTN 143.2K

$109 BTN 9,879

$3,046 BTN 276.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$550 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: January 19, 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	-		$112	$96.6	$238	$226	110.29	2.02
2	Paro	-			$150	$3.98	$216	126.08	10.26
3	Punakha	-		$212	$311	$498	$622	174.73	5.89
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$390	$471	$850	$1,022	242.12	27.95
5	Trongsa	2800						18.4	13.34

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.