Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $207 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

A couple spends around $315 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $422 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

Across 5 cities in Bhutan, monthly living costs range from $0 to $472 – a $472 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 BTN 266

$4.01 BTN 372

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.42 BTN 1,616

$9.29 BTN 862

$58.1 BTN 5,386

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.52 BTN 326

$2.92 BTN 271

$3.52 BTN 326

Cappuccino

$1.47 BTN 137

$1.20 BTN 111

$2.98 BTN 276

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

$0.52 BTN 48.23

$0.30 BTN 27.98

$0.85 BTN 79.1

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 14.46

$0.11 BTN 10.21

$0.21 BTN 19.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.83 BTN 263

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 BTN 210

$1.70 BTN 158

$2.26 BTN 210

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 BTN 76.8

$0.69 BTN 64.0

$0.92 BTN 85.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 BTN 73.5

$0.33 BTN 31.00

$1.67 BTN 155

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.70 BTN 65.3

$0.59 BTN 54.9

$0.89 BTN 82.3

Eggs

$1.99 BTN 185

$1.08 BTN 100

$2.83 BTN 263

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.23 BTN 300

$2.30 BTN 213

$5.57 BTN 517

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.66 BTN 340

$2.21 BTN 205

$4.68 BTN 434

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.15 BTN 385

$3.49 BTN 324

$4.65 BTN 431

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 257

$1.16 BTN 108

$4.06 BTN 377

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 BTN 162

$1.20 BTN 111

$3.58 BTN 332

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 BTN 191

$1.03 BTN 95.7

$2.86 BTN 265

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 BTN 89.9

$0.48 BTN 44.97

$1.92 BTN 178

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 BTN 51.6

$0.37 BTN 34.07

$0.61 BTN 56.5

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 63.9

$0.46 BTN 42.92

$1.15 BTN 107

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 BTN 36.52

$0.22 BTN 20.49

$0.96 BTN 89.1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 BTN 37.36

$0.24 BTN 22.03

$0.60 BTN 55.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.74 BTN 347

$2.30 BTN 213

$4.60 BTN 427

Wine (Bottle)

$3.14 BTN 291

$2.61 BTN 242

$4.18 BTN 388

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 BTN 65.1

$0.39 BTN 36.56

$0.89 BTN 82.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 BTN 109

$0.94 BTN 87.3

$1.77 BTN 164

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 BTN 186

$1.20 BTN 111

$3.45 BTN 320

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.92 BTN 364

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 BTN 82.0

$0.59 BTN 54.6

$1.19 BTN 110

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.35 BTN 218

$1.76 BTN 163

$2.92 BTN 271

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.18 BTN 16.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 89.6

$0.73 BTN 67.5

$1.30 BTN 120

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

$19.4K BTN 1.8M

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

$24.2K BTN 2.2M

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

$23.16 BTN 2,148

$11.67 BTN 1,082

$34.66 BTN 3,214

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

$37.47 BTN 3,475

$17.43 BTN 1,616

$57.5 BTN 5,333

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.54 BTN 2,090

$11.63 BTN 1,079

$34.56 BTN 3,206

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.76 BTN 4,522

$17.56 BTN 1,628

$87.8 BTN 8,139

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.29 BTN 583

Cinema Ticket

$3.53 BTN 327

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

$246 BTN 22.8K

$44.11 BTN 4,091

$447 BTN 41.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$664 BTN 61.6K

$635 BTN 58.9K

$693 BTN 64.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.19 BTN 1,872

$9.14 BTN 848

$28.58 BTN 2,650

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.45 BTN 1,062

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.16 BTN 4,559

$29.50 BTN 2,735

$64.9 BTN 6,017

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.73 BTN 3,592

$29.05 BTN 2,694

$40.66 BTN 3,771

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,602

$57.2 BTN 5,301

$166 BTN 15.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.5 BTN 6,349

$30.76 BTN 2,853

$149 BTN 13.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 BTN 16.5K

$94.9 BTN 8,804

$237 BTN 22.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$138 BTN 12.8K

$92.7 BTN 8,599

$448 BTN 41.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,528 BTN 141.7K

$640 BTN 59.3K

$3,199 BTN 296.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,170 BTN 108.5K

$107 BTN 9,934

$2,999 BTN 278.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$530 BTN 49.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: April 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $85 nationally. In Thimphu, expect around $118, while Trongsa – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $0.

The average net salary across Bhutan is $451 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $207. Most full-time workers can cover expenses and save.

Groceries average around $71 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $4.

Most affordable: Trongsa at $0 per month. The capital, Thimphu, sits at $472. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $472 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($207) is 85% below the global median of $1,347.

Average rent ($85) is 86% below the global median of $629.

Dining out ($4) is 92% below the global median of $48.

Public transport ($1) is 97% below the global median of $33.

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	-		$94.8	$97.7	$207	$229	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$149	$3.77	$217	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$247	$318	$452	$637	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$408	$472	$922	$1,025	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, $1,500 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.