Cost of Living in Bhutan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $205 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 $424 per month with rent on average across Bhutan.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 BTN 241

$4.01 BTN 338

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.24 BTN 1,455

$9.19 BTN 776

$57.4 BTN 4,849

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.47 BTN 293

$2.88 BTN 243

$3.47 BTN 293

Cappuccino

$1.40 BTN 118

$1.14 BTN 96.1

$2.83 BTN 239

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

$0.52 BTN 43.86

$0.30 BTN 25.44

$0.85 BTN 71.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 16.23

$0.14 BTN 11.46

$0.26 BTN 21.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 BTN 247

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 BTN 199

$1.77 BTN 150

$2.36 BTN 199

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 BTN 72.0

$0.71 BTN 60.0

$0.94 BTN 79.8

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 BTN 72.8

$0.36 BTN 30.70

$1.82 BTN 153

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.66 BTN 55.4

$0.55 BTN 46.55

$0.83 BTN 69.8

Eggs

$1.95 BTN 165

$1.06 BTN 89.5

$2.78 BTN 234

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.23 BTN 273

$2.29 BTN 194

$5.56 BTN 470

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.69 BTN 311

$2.22 BTN 188

$4.71 BTN 398

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.12 BTN 348

$3.46 BTN 292

$4.61 BTN 389

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 BTN 231

$1.15 BTN 97.0

$4.01 BTN 338

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 BTN 142

$1.15 BTN 97.2

$3.44 BTN 291

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 BTN 182

$1.08 BTN 90.9

$2.99 BTN 252

Tomato (1kg)

$0.95 BTN 80.6

$0.48 BTN 40.31

$1.89 BTN 160

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 BTN 46.04

$0.36 BTN 30.40

$0.60 BTN 50.4

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 62.0

$0.49 BTN 41.61

$1.23 BTN 104

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.40 BTN 33.58

$0.22 BTN 18.84

$0.97 BTN 81.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 BTN 34.23

$0.24 BTN 20.18

$0.60 BTN 50.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.76 BTN 317

$2.31 BTN 195

$4.62 BTN 390

Wine (Bottle)

$3.08 BTN 260

$2.57 BTN 217

$3.58 BTN 303

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 BTN 60.0

$0.40 BTN 33.71

$0.91 BTN 76.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.19 BTN 100

$0.95 BTN 80.4

$1.79 BTN 151

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 BTN 171

$1.21 BTN 102

$3.48 BTN 294

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.98 BTN 336

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.86 BTN 72.3

$0.57 BTN 48.19

$1.15 BTN 97.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.34 BTN 198

$1.76 BTN 148

$2.92 BTN 246

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.17 BTN 14.04

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 BTN 75.4

$0.67 BTN 56.8

$1.20 BTN 101

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

$19.7K BTN 1.7M

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

$24.2K BTN 2.0M

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

$23.22 BTN 1,960

$11.70 BTN 987

$34.75 BTN 2,933

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

$37.89 BTN 3,199

$17.63 BTN 1,488

$58.2 BTN 4,910

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.87 BTN 1,930

$11.80 BTN 996

$35.06 BTN 2,960

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.90 BTN 4,044

$17.25 BTN 1,456

$86.2 BTN 7,278

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.29 BTN 531

Cinema Ticket

$3.46 BTN 292

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

$247 BTN 20.8K

$44.33 BTN 3,742

$449 BTN 37.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$669 BTN 56.5K

$640 BTN 54.0K

$698 BTN 58.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.30 BTN 1,714

$9.20 BTN 776

$28.74 BTN 2,426

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.74 BTN 991

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.73 BTN 4,029

$28.64 BTN 2,418

$63.0 BTN 5,318

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.29 BTN 3,316

$29.46 BTN 2,487

$41.25 BTN 3,482

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$104 BTN 8,769

$57.4 BTN 4,841

$166 BTN 14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$70.1 BTN 5,920

$31.51 BTN 2,660

$152 BTN 12.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 BTN 15.0K

$95.0 BTN 8,016

$237 BTN 20.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 BTN 11.5K

$91.8 BTN 7,752

$443 BTN 37.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,493 BTN 463.7K

$734 BTN 62.0K

$12.6K BTN 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,639 BTN 138.4K

$389 BTN 32.8K

$2,889 BTN 243.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$421 BTN 35.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary across Bhutan is $385 – comfortably above average monthly costs of $205. Most full-time workers can cover expenses and save.

Groceries average around $70.0 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $4.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($205) is 85% below the global median of $1,344.

Average rent ($84.0) is 87% below the global median of $626.

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	-		$95.1	$97.4	$206	$226	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	-			$147	$3.02	$217	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	-		$204	$309	$471	$625	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	23	$374	$471	$854	$1,052	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.