Cost of Living in Punakha - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $196 (excluding rent), and $312 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $497 (excluding rent), and $630 including rent.

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 BTN 75.7

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 BTN 48.37

$0.48 BTN 43.72

$0.59 BTN 54.0

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.66 BTN 59.6

$0.60 BTN 54.0

$0.72 BTN 65.2

Eggs

$1.71 BTN 155

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.83 BTN 438

$4.05 BTN 368

$5.61 BTN 509

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.02 BTN 274

$2.85 BTN 258

$3.19 BTN 290

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 BTN 314

Apples (1kg)

$3.98 BTN 361

$2.77 BTN 251

$5.18 BTN 470

Banana (1kg)

$2.27 BTN 206

$1.14 BTN 103

$3.41 BTN 309

Oranges (1kg)

$2.39 BTN 217

$1.80 BTN 163

$2.99 BTN 271

Tomato (1kg)

$0.80 BTN 72.4

$0.68 BTN 61.8

$0.91 BTN 82.1

Potato (1kg)

$0.54 BTN 48.77

$0.49 BTN 44.08

$0.60 BTN 54.4

Onion (1kg)

$0.89 BTN 80.7

$0.63 BTN 57.4

$1.16 BTN 105

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.28 BTN 25.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 BTN 44.47

$0.36 BTN 33.11

$0.60 BTN 54.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.41 BTN 309

$2.83 BTN 257

$3.97 BTN 360

Wine (Bottle)

$3.04 BTN 276

$2.76 BTN 250

$3.31 BTN 300

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 BTN 73.7

$0.66 BTN 59.7

$0.96 BTN 86.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 BTN 125

$0.96 BTN 86.8

$1.80 BTN 163

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.27 BTN 206

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.19 BTN 1,560

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.37 BTN 2,392

$23.43 BTN 2,126

$29.29 BTN 2,658

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.44 BTN 1,038

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.8 BTN 5,065

$47.01 BTN 4,266

$64.6 BTN 5,865

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.58 BTN 3,682

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$105 BTN 9,557

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$94.8 BTN 8,601

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$103 BTN 9,377

$57.4 BTN 5,210

$149 BTN 13.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$133 BTN 12.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,346 BTN 303.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,090 BTN 280.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$258 BTN 23.4K

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Punakha Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

175

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

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.