Cost of Living Comparison Between Thimphu and Kanglung Cost of Living Comparison Between Thimphu and Kanglung

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $455 in Thimphu versus $98.5 in Kanglung.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $757 in Thimphu versus $162 in Kanglung.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,059 in Thimphu versus $226 in Kanglung.

Living in Thimphu is roughly 362% more expensive than Kanglung, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Thimphu 66% lower, Kanglung 93% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.93 BTN 248

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.63 BTN 1,488

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.47 BTN 293

Cappuccino

$1.48 BTN 125

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

$0.48 BTN 40.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 BTN 14.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.98 BTN 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 BTN 194

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 BTN 73.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 BTN 79.8

$0.51 BTN 43.13

86.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.74 BTN 62.5

Eggs

$2.00 BTN 169

$1.17 BTN 99.2

70.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.24 BTN 273

$2.14 BTN 181

51.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.77 BTN 319

$2.26 BTN 191

66.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.25 BTN 359

$2.25 BTN 190

88.89%

Apples (1kg)

$2.54 BTN 215

$2.22 BTN 187

14.41%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 BTN 128

$2.18 BTN 184

-30.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.86 BTN 157

$2.19 BTN 185

-15.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 61.7

$1.15 BTN 97.1

-36.52%

Potato (1kg)

$0.54 BTN 45.20

Onion (1kg)

$0.62 BTN 52.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.46 BTN 38.43

$1.03 BTN 86.9

-55.34%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.34 BTN 28.88

$0.99 BTN 83.2

-65.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.76 BTN 317

Wine (Bottle)

$3.19 BTN 270

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 BTN 53.8

$1.42 BTN 120

-54.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 BTN 87.4

$0.98 BTN 82.9

6.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.71 BTN 144

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.10 BTN 346

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 BTN 71.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.23 BTN 188

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.19 BTN 15.82

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 82.2

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

$23.29 BTN 1,966

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

$38.02 BTN 3,209

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.34 BTN 2,308

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.52 BTN 4,096

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.60 BTN 642

Cinema Ticket

$3.43 BTN 290

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

$242 BTN 20.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$681 BTN 57.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.13 BTN 771

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.81 BTN 997

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$31.80 BTN 2,685

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$31.61 BTN 2,668

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$118 BTN 9,925

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$63.5 BTN 5,363

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$203 BTN 17.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$139 BTN 11.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,698 BTN 565.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$390 BTN 33.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$349 BTN 29.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update for Thimphu: May 30, 2026

Last update for Kanglung: May 31, 2026

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

Thimphu vs Kanglung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Thimphu and Kanglung differ by about 362% in total monthly costs ($455 vs $98.5 including rent). Kanglung is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $682 in Thimphu and $148 in Kanglung to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Thimphu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $455 per month in Thimphu versus $98.5 in Kanglung – a 362% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Kanglung gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Thimphu and Kanglung are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Kanglung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 362% less than in Thimphu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.