Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $182 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A couple spends around $292 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $402 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.65 BTN 224

$1.06 BTN 89.7

$5.30 BTN 448

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.17 BTN 1,196

$8.38 BTN 707

$52.5 BTN 4,433

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.72 BTN 314

$3.18 BTN 269

$4.25 BTN 358

Cappuccino

$1.37 BTN 116

$1.06 BTN 89.6

$1.59 BTN 134

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

$0.49 BTN 41.61

$0.36 BTN 30.19

$0.71 BTN 59.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 16.41

$0.17 BTN 14.58

$0.23 BTN 19.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.56 BTN 216

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 BTN 179

$1.59 BTN 134

$2.12 BTN 179

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 BTN 66.8

$0.51 BTN 42.85

$0.92 BTN 77.5

White Bread (500g)

$0.84 BTN 71.2

$0.32 BTN 26.91

$1.61 BTN 136

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 BTN 85.6

$0.43 BTN 35.97

$1.59 BTN 134

Eggs

$1.62 BTN 137

$0.99 BTN 83.3

$2.58 BTN 218

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.34 BTN 282

$2.06 BTN 174

$5.64 BTN 476

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.87 BTN 327

$2.25 BTN 190

$6.21 BTN 524

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.76 BTN 317

$2.18 BTN 184

$7.26 BTN 613

Apples (1kg)

$2.51 BTN 212

$1.06 BTN 89.4

$5.81 BTN 490

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 BTN 127

$1.02 BTN 86.1

$2.14 BTN 180

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 BTN 138

$0.95 BTN 80.0

$2.22 BTN 187

Tomato (1kg)

$0.89 BTN 74.8

$0.40 BTN 33.76

$2.10 BTN 177

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 BTN 51.3

$0.32 BTN 27.39

$1.10 BTN 92.8

Onion (1kg)

$0.71 BTN 59.6

$0.43 BTN 36.30

$1.44 BTN 122

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 BTN 56.8

$0.22 BTN 18.34

$1.03 BTN 87.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.30 BTN 25.29

$0.20 BTN 17.13

$0.97 BTN 81.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.86 BTN 326

$3.08 BTN 260

$4.63 BTN 391

Wine (Bottle)

$2.96 BTN 250

$1.40 BTN 118

$3.77 BTN 318

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 BTN 71.7

$0.38 BTN 32.34

$1.48 BTN 125

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 BTN 93.1

$0.80 BTN 67.5

$2.13 BTN 179

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 BTN 65.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.17 BTN 437

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 BTN 68.7

$0.54 BTN 45.19

$1.08 BTN 91.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 BTN 135

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.16 BTN 13.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 BTN 63.6

$0.64 BTN 54.1

$1.16 BTN 98.0

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

$16.9K BTN 1.4M

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

$15.0K BTN 1.3M

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

$34.35 BTN 2,900

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

$37.14 BTN 3,135

$15.89 BTN 1,341

$58.4 BTN 4,928

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.77 BTN 2,091

$10.53 BTN 889

$34.82 BTN 2,939

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.40 BTN 3,917

$25.77 BTN 2,176

$77.3 BTN 6,528

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.22 BTN 525

Cinema Ticket

$3.10 BTN 262

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

$45.86 BTN 3,872

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$570 BTN 48.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.31 BTN 2,981

$20.85 BTN 1,760

$49.76 BTN 4,201

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.78 BTN 1,501

$10.50 BTN 887

$25.06 BTN 2,115

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.6 BTN 4,606

$41.57 BTN 3,510

$67.6 BTN 5,703

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.70 BTN 2,169

$14.30 BTN 1,207

$37.08 BTN 3,131

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$123 BTN 10.4K

$96.0 BTN 8,104

$204 BTN 17.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$87.1 BTN 7,349

$79.0 BTN 6,667

$151 BTN 12.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$182 BTN 15.3K

$117 BTN 9,851

$506 BTN 42.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$147 BTN 12.4K

$98.1 BTN 8,280

$443 BTN 37.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,469 BTN 461.7K

$731 BTN 61.7K

$12.5K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,643 BTN 138.7K

$390 BTN 32.9K

$2,896 BTN 244.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$312 BTN 26.4K

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

Last update: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $297 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $182. Most full-time workers can cover expenses and save.

Groceries average around $46.00 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $3.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($182) is 87% below the global median of $1,368.

Average rent ($84.0) is 87% below the global median of $667.

Dining out ($3.00) is 94% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($1.00) is 97% below the global median of $34.00.

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	-		$98.5	$104	$265	$242	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$148	$3.12	$455	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$44.63	$132	$104	$233	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	24	$375	$523	$822	$1,082	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.