Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $204 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

A couple spends around $316 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

A family of three spends around $427 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

Across 5 cities in Bhutan, monthly living costs range from $0 to $462 – a $462 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.98 BTN 279

$4.18 BTN 392

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.46 BTN 1,634

$9.31 BTN 871

$58.2 BTN 5,447

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.57 BTN 334

$2.97 BTN 278

$3.57 BTN 334

Cappuccino

$1.43 BTN 133

$1.16 BTN 108

$2.88 BTN 270

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

$0.51 BTN 48.17

$0.30 BTN 27.94

$0.84 BTN 79.0

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 17.59

$0.13 BTN 12.42

$0.25 BTN 23.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.88 BTN 270

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 BTN 220

$1.77 BTN 166

$2.35 BTN 220

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 BTN 80.1

$0.71 BTN 66.7

$0.95 BTN 88.7

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 BTN 76.5

$0.34 BTN 32.25

$1.72 BTN 161

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.67 BTN 63.1

$0.57 BTN 53.1

$0.85 BTN 79.6

Eggs

$2.02 BTN 189

$1.10 BTN 103

$2.87 BTN 268

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.34 BTN 312

$2.37 BTN 222

$5.74 BTN 538

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.75 BTN 351

$2.26 BTN 212

$4.79 BTN 448

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.11 BTN 385

$3.46 BTN 324

$4.61 BTN 431

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 BTN 259

$1.16 BTN 109

$4.06 BTN 380

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 BTN 159

$1.16 BTN 109

$3.47 BTN 325

Oranges (1kg)

$2.08 BTN 194

$1.04 BTN 97.2

$2.88 BTN 269

Tomato (1kg)

$0.96 BTN 89.5

$0.48 BTN 44.77

$1.89 BTN 177

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 51.1

$0.36 BTN 33.74

$0.60 BTN 55.9

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 BTN 63.7

$0.46 BTN 42.76

$1.14 BTN 106

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 BTN 39.77

$0.24 BTN 22.31

$1.04 BTN 97.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.37 BTN 34.79

$0.22 BTN 20.52

$0.55 BTN 51.8

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 BTN 363

$2.38 BTN 223

$4.77 BTN 446

Wine (Bottle)

$3.27 BTN 306

$2.73 BTN 256

$4.36 BTN 408

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 BTN 70.2

$0.42 BTN 39.45

$0.96 BTN 89.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 BTN 110

$0.94 BTN 88.1

$1.77 BTN 166

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.09 BTN 196

$1.25 BTN 117

$3.59 BTN 336

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.97 BTN 372

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 BTN 83.3

$0.59 BTN 55.5

$1.20 BTN 112

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.29 BTN 214

$1.72 BTN 161

$2.85 BTN 267

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.16 BTN 14.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 90.6

$0.73 BTN 68.2

$1.30 BTN 122

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

$19.3K BTN 1.8M

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

$24.0K BTN 2.2M

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

$23.47 BTN 2,197

$11.82 BTN 1,107

$35.13 BTN 3,288

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

$37.09 BTN 3,472

$17.25 BTN 1,615

$56.9 BTN 5,330

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.70 BTN 2,125

$11.72 BTN 1,097

$34.81 BTN 3,258

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.22 BTN 4,608

$17.72 BTN 1,659

$88.6 BTN 8,293

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.05 BTN 566

Cinema Ticket

$3.54 BTN 331

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

$239 BTN 22.4K

$42.92 BTN 4,018

$435 BTN 40.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$660 BTN 61.8K

$631 BTN 59.1K

$689 BTN 64.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.44 BTN 1,914

$9.26 BTN 867

$28.94 BTN 2,709

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.67 BTN 1,092

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.38 BTN 4,529

$29.03 BTN 2,717

$63.9 BTN 5,978

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.66 BTN 3,619

$29.00 BTN 2,715

$40.60 BTN 3,800

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 9,750

$57.5 BTN 5,383

$167 BTN 15.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$70.5 BTN 6,599

$31.68 BTN 2,965

$153 BTN 14.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 BTN 16.6K

$94.5 BTN 8,842

$236 BTN 22.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$140 BTN 13.1K

$93.9 BTN 8,793

$454 BTN 42.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,518 BTN 142.1K

$635 BTN 59.5K

$3,177 BTN 297.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,153 BTN 108.0K

$106 BTN 9,885

$2,957 BTN 276.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$524 BTN 49.0K

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 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $84 nationally. In Thimphu, expect around $114, while Trongsa – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $0.

The average net salary across Bhutan is $447 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $204. 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 $462. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $462 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($204) is 85% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($84) is 86% below the global median of $621.

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	-		$91.2	$99.2	$247	$226	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$150	$3.91	$220	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$232	$309	$461	$641	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$353	$462	$1,006	$1,050	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.