Cost of Living in Punakha - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $192 (excluding rent), and $320 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $460 (excluding rent), and $641 including rent.

Milk (1 liter)

$0.78 BTN 66.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.5 BTN 42.58

$0.46 BTN 38.49

$0.56 BTN 47.49

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.63 BTN 53

$0.57 BTN 48.03

$0.69 BTN 58

Eggs

$1.65 BTN 139

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.84 BTN 409

$4.06 BTN 343

$5.63 BTN 475

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 BTN 259

$2.89 BTN 244

$3.24 BTN 274

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.45 BTN 291

Apples (1kg)

$4.1 BTN 346

$2.86 BTN 241

$5.35 BTN 452

Banana (1kg)

$2.36 BTN 199

$1.19 BTN 100

$3.55 BTN 300

Oranges (1kg)

$2.28 BTN 192

$1.71 BTN 144

$2.84 BTN 240

Tomato (1kg)

$0.85 BTN 71.4

$0.72 BTN 61

$0.96 BTN 81

Potato (1kg)

$0.5 BTN 42.08

$0.45 BTN 38.03

$0.56 BTN 46.93

Onion (1kg)

$0.88 BTN 74.4

$0.63 BTN 52.9

$1.15 BTN 96.7

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.3 BTN 25.39

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 BTN 41.65

$0.37 BTN 31.02

$0.61 BTN 51.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.46 BTN 292

$2.88 BTN 243

$4.04 BTN 341

Wine (Bottle)

$3.02 BTN 255

$2.75 BTN 232

$3.3 BTN 278

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 BTN 64.8

$0.62 BTN 52.5

$0.9 BTN 76.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.32 BTN 111

$0.91 BTN 77.2

$1.72 BTN 145

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.38 BTN 201

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.77 BTN 1,500

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.69 BTN 2,253

$23.72 BTN 2,002

$29.66 BTN 2,504

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.79 BTN 995

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.4 BTN 4,680

$46.69 BTN 3,942

$64.2 BTN 5,419

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.29 BTN 3,486

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$106 BTN 8,941

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$93.3 BTN 7,879

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$103 BTN 8,700

$57.3 BTN 4,834

$149 BTN 12.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$133 BTN 11.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,355 BTN 283.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,067 BTN 258.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$255 BTN 21.5K

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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Cost of Living in Punakha - Frequently Asked Questions

Punakha offers a gentle pace and reasonable everyday costs that many find attractive, especially if you favor a smaller city feel over bustling capitals. Cost of Living in Punakha, Bhutan tends to be favorable for long stays thanks to affordable local groceries, simpler housing options, and low energy needs. You’ll notice cheaper rice, vegetables, and dining at neighborhood eateries compared with bigger towns, plus shorter daily commutes. Housing can be practical for long-term stays, with options near the river or in quiet hillside lanes that still feel connected to services. Tip: explore a few neighborhoods at different speeds of life to match your rhythm.

Daily life in Punakha centers on a slower rhythm, with markets, riverside walks, and hillside lanes shaping your routine. Housing ranges from simple traditional homes in quiet neighborhoods to compact town-center flats, often with sunny courtyards and easy access to services. Groceries come from local markets and small shops, while eateries offer Bhutanese staples at modest prices. Getting around is easy by bike, scooter, or occasional taxi, and many places are walkable. For budgeting, Punakha living cost gives a practical touchstone as you balance utilities, internet needs, and seasonality. Tip: test internet reliability and walkability to your preferred areas before choosing a base.

Best budgeting practices center on balancing local and imported needs, leaning toward local produce, cooking at home, and choosing seasonally available items. A sensible framework is to set a monthly ‘baseline’ for housing, food, transport, and incidental expenses, then track deviations. Seasonality affects transport and energy; monsoon rains can influence road conditions, while cooler months shift heating or warm clothing needs. For neighborhood fit, consider river-adjacent areas for scenic living and shorter commutes, or hillside pockets for tranquility and views. Networking with fellow travelers and locals helps uncover coworking options, informal workspaces, and reliable internet pockets. Tip: build a flexible budget buffer to accommodate periodic repairs or travel breaks.