😐A single person spends $392 per month in Pakistan vs $204 in Bhutan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $591 per month in Pakistan vs $314 in Bhutan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $790 per month in Pakistan vs $424 in Bhutan, rent included.
😐Pakistan costs about 92% more than Bhutan on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Pakistan and Bhutan are more affordable than the global median – Pakistan71% lower, Bhutan85% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.82PKR 506
$2.95BTN 249
-38.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.25PKR 3,409
$17.23BTN 1,454
-28.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.27PKR 1,188
$3.44BTN 290
24.13%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80PKR 500
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.08PKR 1,136
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.77PKR 493
$1.45BTN 123
22.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 93.3
$0.48BTN 40.47
-29.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 64.2
$0.16BTN 13.43
43.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.98BTN 252
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.31BTN 195
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.77PKR 214
$0.87BTN 73.5
-11.49%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56PKR 155
$0.85BTN 71.8
-34.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.22PKR 340
$0.67BTN 56.9
82.09%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 337
$1.96BTN 165
-38.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.68PKR 1,579
$3.18BTN 269
78.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.00PKR 835
$3.66BTN 309
-18.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.29PKR 1,193
$4.23BTN 357
1.42%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02PKR 284
$2.77BTN 234
-63.18%
Banana(1kg)
$0.62PKR 174
$1.75BTN 148
-64.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.77PKR 213
$2.12BTN 179
-63.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.49PKR 138
$0.92BTN 78.0
-46.74%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 98.2
$0.51BTN 43.33
-31.37%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48PKR 134
$0.71BTN 60.0
-32.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.40BTN 33.57
-5.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 99.7
$0.41BTN 34.50
-12.20%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.91PKR 532
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09PKR 304
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00PKR 557
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.96PKR 546
$3.80BTN 321
-48.42%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$3.25BTN 274
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.74BTN 62.5
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.19BTN 100
-
🚌 Getting Around
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15PKR 42.98
$1.99BTN 168
-92.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.14PKR 1,987
$4.10BTN 347
74.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85PKR 237
$0.91BTN 76.4
-6.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.51PKR 143
$2.26BTN 191
-77.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.81PKR 503
$0.15BTN 12.69
1106.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90PKR 249
$0.95BTN 80.3
-5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.4KPKR 4.8M
$19.3KBTN 1.6M
-9.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0KPKR 6.7M
$24.7KBTN 2.1M
-2.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110PKR 30.7K
$22.67BTN 1,914
386.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.72PKR 1,313
$37.55BTN 3,170
-87.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.34PKR 4,268
$22.97BTN 1,939
-33.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.40PKR 3,728
$48.34BTN 4,081
-72.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.53PKR 2,374
$6.29BTN 531
35.61%
Cinema Ticket
$4.31PKR 1,199
$3.53BTN 298
22.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$38.86PKR 10.8K
$242BTN 20.4K
-83.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,143PKR 318.1K
$680BTN 57.4K
68.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.81PKR 4,398
$20.29BTN 1,713
-22.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.47PKR 6,529
$11.58BTN 978
102.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.0PKR 20.0K
$48.51BTN 4,095
48.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.27PKR 9,255
$39.46BTN 3,331
-15.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$111PKR 30.9K
$105BTN 8,854
5.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$67.3PKR 18.7K
$68.9BTN 5,815
-2.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$272PKR 75.7K
$176BTN 14.9K
54.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.5K
$141BTN 11.9K
18.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$983PKR 273.4K
$5,532BTN 466.9K
-82.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$519PKR 144.4K
$1,689BTN 142.5K
-69.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pakistan
Bhutan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$185PKR 51.5K
$423BTN 35.7K
-56.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.97
10.75
76.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pakistan: June 2, 2026
Last update for Bhutan: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $78.0 in Pakistan vs $85.0 in Bhutan. For reference, capital cities sit at $198 in Islamabad and $118 in Thimphu.
💰Average salary: $187 in Pakistan vs $393 in Bhutan. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 9% higher in Bhutan.
⭐Dining out costs 175% more in Pakistan.
⭐Public transport is 600% more expensive in Pakistan.
⭐Salaries are 110% higher in Bhutan, giving Bhutan stronger purchasing power.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Pakistan vs Bhutan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bhutan more expensive than Pakistan?
Bhutan is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 79% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Pakistan, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Pakistan consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Bhutan, contributing to the overall 79% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Bhutan or Pakistan?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Bhutan, but in Pakistan it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Bhutan or Pakistan?
Bhutan is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.