Cost of Living in Thimphu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $341 (excluding rent), and $457 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $868 (excluding rent), and $1,058 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.94 BTN 267

$4.12 BTN 374

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.45 BTN 1,583

$9.30 BTN 844

$58.2 BTN 5,277

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.57 BTN 324

$2.97 BTN 270

$3.57 BTN 324

Cappuccino

$1.41 BTN 128

$1.14 BTN 104

$2.85 BTN 258

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

$0.48 BTN 43.59

$0.28 BTN 25.28

$0.79 BTN 71.5

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 BTN 15.34

$0.12 BTN 10.83

$0.23 BTN 20.75

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 BTN 272

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 BTN 206

$1.71 BTN 155

$2.27 BTN 206

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 BTN 74.1

$0.57 BTN 51.8

$0.92 BTN 83.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 BTN 87.1

$0.24 BTN 21.77

$1.83 BTN 166

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 65.9

$0.48 BTN 43.63

$1.20 BTN 109

Eggs

$2.08 BTN 188

$1.10 BTN 99.9

$3.17 BTN 287

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.25 BTN 295

$2.28 BTN 207

$4.56 BTN 414

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.90 BTN 354

$2.93 BTN 266

$6.81 BTN 618

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.20 BTN 381

$3.43 BTN 311

$4.56 BTN 414

Apples (1kg)

$2.48 BTN 225

$1.16 BTN 106

$3.24 BTN 294

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 BTN 133

$1.15 BTN 105

$2.30 BTN 208

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 BTN 167

$1.03 BTN 93.4

$2.85 BTN 259

Tomato (1kg)

$0.77 BTN 69.9

$0.48 BTN 43.78

$0.95 BTN 86.6

Potato (1kg)

$0.49 BTN 44.52

$0.34 BTN 30.56

$0.56 BTN 50.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.56 BTN 51.3

$0.45 BTN 40.84

$0.73 BTN 66.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.46 BTN 41.38

$0.24 BTN 21.63

$0.54 BTN 48.90

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.32 BTN 28.92

$0.22 BTN 20.16

$0.34 BTN 30.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 BTN 349

$2.36 BTN 214

$5.91 BTN 537

Wine (Bottle)

$3.24 BTN 294

$2.70 BTN 245

$4.32 BTN 392

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 BTN 56.6

$0.36 BTN 32.47

$0.95 BTN 86.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 BTN 94.0

$0.86 BTN 77.9

$2.30 BTN 209

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.77 BTN 161

$1.23 BTN 112

$3.54 BTN 321

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.93 BTN 356

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 BTN 80.1

$0.59 BTN 53.4

$1.19 BTN 108

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.30 BTN 209

$1.73 BTN 157

$2.87 BTN 260

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.19 BTN 16.83

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 BTN 81.2

$0.67 BTN 61.1

$1.20 BTN 109

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

$23.17 BTN 2,102

$11.67 BTN 1,059

$34.67 BTN 3,146

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

$38.16 BTN 3,463

$17.75 BTN 1,611

$58.6 BTN 5,315

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.42 BTN 2,398

$11.46 BTN 1,040

$34.05 BTN 3,090

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.86 BTN 4,433

$17.59 BTN 1,596

$87.9 BTN 7,979

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.36 BTN 668

Cinema Ticket

$3.56 BTN 323

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

$242 BTN 21.9K

$43.43 BTN 3,941

$440 BTN 39.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$657 BTN 59.6K

$629 BTN 57.0K

$686 BTN 62.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.06 BTN 822

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.71 BTN 1,063

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$32.32 BTN 2,933

$29.38 BTN 2,666

$35.25 BTN 3,199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$32.40 BTN 2,940

$29.45 BTN 2,673

$35.34 BTN 3,207

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$115 BTN 10.4K

$86.4 BTN 7,837

$165 BTN 15.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$63.9 BTN 5,800

$31.46 BTN 2,855

$106 BTN 9,638

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 BTN 18.1K

$162 BTN 14.7K

$231 BTN 21.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 BTN 12.4K

$91.4 BTN 8,296

$194 BTN 17.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$573 BTN 52.0K

$491 BTN 44.6K

$655 BTN 59.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$111 BTN 10.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$525 BTN 47.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Thimphu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

242

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 Thimphu - Frequently Asked Questions

Thimphu tends to feel approachable for travelers and long-stay visitors, thanks to a compact city center, local markets, and a range of budget-friendly options. The Cost of Living in Thimphu, Bhutan balances modest housing options with practical daily needs, plus a culture of bargaining in markets and eateries. You’ll find affordable street-side meals, simpler guesthouses, and a growing number of coworking spaces that are reasonable for remote work. Seasonal festival crowds can push some prices higher, but shoulder months typically offer calmer rhythms and lower rates. Tip: plan with a flexible budget and mix in local experiences to maximize value.

Expect a walkable core where apartments cluster near markets and government streets, with options ranging from quiet studios to compact family homes. In Thimphu living cost is influenced by neighborhood choice, building age, and whether you use public buses, taxis, or bicycles. Food-wise, you’ll enjoy reliable, inexpensive staples from markets and casual eateries, plus occasional Western imports in larger shops. For work, many travelers settle into cafes with wifi or small coworking hubs that suit a nomad’s cadence. Shopping for essentials is straightforward, and errands can be done on foot or with short rides. Tip: map a routine that balances speed, cost, and comfort.

Adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed essentials from flexible spending, and track week by week rather than month to stay nimble. To maximize quality of life, think in zones – choose a neighborhood that blends access to markets, schools or co-working, and quieter evenings. In winter and festival seasons, plan ahead for occasional price spikes in meals or lodging, and lean into local networks for shared transport or community events. Seasonality also affects leisure: hiking around the valley is delightful in many months, while indoor co-working keeps momentum when air is brisk. Tip: build a weekly menu and a short neighborhood survey to refine your fit.