Last update: Nov 2026 787.4K

Cost of Living in Bhutan

Name: Bhutan
Address: BT

Across Bhutan, living costs for one person average $545 a month, including rent and utilities, which take less than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $13 a day.

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🇧🇹 Bhutan

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bhutan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bhutan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $545 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$545 /mo

A couple spends around $867 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$867 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,190 per month with rent on average in Bhutan.

$1,190 /mo

Across 5 cities in Bhutan, monthly living costs range from $103 to $537 – a $434 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.60 BTN 247

$1.03 BTN 98.3

$5.19 BTN 493

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.50 BTN 1,378

$8.57 BTN 815

$53.7 BTN 5,102

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.11 BTN 486

$4.30 BTN 409

$5.92 BTN 562

Cappuccino

$1.26 BTN 120

$1.02 BTN 96.9

$1.53 BTN 146

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

$0.53 BTN 50.4

$0.38 BTN 36.56

$0.77 BTN 73.1

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 BTN 17.30

$0.16 BTN 15.38

$0.21 BTN 20.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.62 BTN 249

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 BTN 153

$1.07 BTN 102

$2.15 BTN 205

Milk (1 liter)

$0.88 BTN 83.4

$0.77 BTN 73.5

$0.99 BTN 94.4

White Bread (500g)

$1.11 BTN 106

$0.51 BTN 48.41

$1.61 BTN 153

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.95 BTN 90.4

$0.43 BTN 40.82

$1.62 BTN 154

Eggs

$1.94 BTN 184

$1.21 BTN 115

$2.55 BTN 242

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.87 BTN 367

$2.22 BTN 211

$5.86 BTN 557

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.15 BTN 394

$2.26 BTN 215

$6.30 BTN 599

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.93 BTN 373

$2.17 BTN 206

$7.29 BTN 692

Apples (1kg)

$2.59 BTN 246

$1.04 BTN 98.8

$5.75 BTN 546

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 BTN 167

$1.25 BTN 119

$2.16 BTN 206

Oranges (1kg)

$1.76 BTN 167

$0.94 BTN 88.9

$2.17 BTN 206

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 BTN 97.7

$0.42 BTN 39.43

$2.17 BTN 207

Potato (1kg)

$0.72 BTN 68.8

$0.31 BTN 29.76

$1.03 BTN 97.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.89 BTN 84.2

$0.40 BTN 38.46

$1.37 BTN 130

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 BTN 63.2

$0.22 BTN 20.43

$1.02 BTN 97.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.31 BTN 29.35

$0.20 BTN 19.26

$0.97 BTN 91.7

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 BTN 402

$3.70 BTN 352

$4.76 BTN 452

Wine (Bottle)

$2.66 BTN 253

$1.38 BTN 131

$3.72 BTN 354

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 BTN 86.0

$0.36 BTN 34.59

$1.41 BTN 134

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.08 BTN 102

$0.78 BTN 74.3

$1.26 BTN 119

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.81 BTN 76.9

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.18 BTN 492

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.51 BTN 48.27

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 BTN 149

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.14 BTN 13.07

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 BTN 68.3

$0.61 BTN 58.3

$1.10 BTN 105

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

$16.3K BTN 1.6M

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

$15.1K BTN 1.4M

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

$33.20 BTN 3,155

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

$36.50 BTN 3,469

$16.09 BTN 1,529

$56.9 BTN 5,408

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.23 BTN 2,303

$10.49 BTN 997

$33.38 BTN 3,172

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.50 BTN 4,513

$26.39 BTN 2,508

$79.2 BTN 7,522

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.19 BTN 588

Cinema Ticket

$3.21 BTN 305

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

$44.21 BTN 4,201

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$573 BTN 54.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.74 BTN 4,726

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.46 BTN 2,419

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.7 BTN 6,623

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$14.10 BTN 1,340

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$148 BTN 14.1K

$101 BTN 9,634

$202 BTN 19.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$105 BTN 9,930

$80.2 BTN 7,624

$152 BTN 14.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 BTN 25.3K

$114 BTN 10.9K

$493 BTN 46.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$227 BTN 21.6K

$98.8 BTN 9,390

$444 BTN 42.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,757 BTN 642.0K

$744 BTN 70.7K

$12.8K BTN 1.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$402 BTN 38.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$342 BTN 32.5K

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

Last update: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Bhutan $545

Groceries & Markets

$134 24.5%

Accommodation & Living

$105 19.2%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$94 17.3%

Clothing & Footwear

$72 13.1%

Eating Out

$70 12.9%

Sport & Entertainment

$54 9.9%

Getting Around

$17 3.1%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bhutan is $295 – below average monthly costs of $545. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $123 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $14.

Most affordable: Kanglung at $103 per month. The capital, Thimphu, sits at $537. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $434 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($545) is 60% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($141) is 79% below the global median of $664.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($14) is 70% below the global median of $47.

Public transport ($5) is 85% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

18:20 6:20 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

787,424

💱 Currency

Bhutanese Ngultrum BTN Nu.

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 BTN = 10.52 USD

1,000 BTN = 9.4 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	-		$103	$103	$238	$238	105.62	2.5
2	Paro	11448			$152	$3.62	$457	61.27	9.32
3	Punakha	21500		$49.40	$133	$110	$229	190.58	5.44
4	Thimphu	98676	26	$417	$537	$957	$1,147	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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Bhutan range from $103 in the most affordable city to $537 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Bhutan vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $103 in affordable regions to $537 in major cities.

Rent in Bhutan varies a lot – Thimphu has the highest prices, and other cities are usually cheaper. 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.