Cost of Living in Thimphu - Updated Prices & Insights

25.47

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $379 (excluding rent), and $465 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $876 (excluding rent), and $1,021 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.85 BTN 241

$4 BTN 337

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.54 BTN 1,480

$9.35 BTN 789

$58.5 BTN 4,934

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.54 BTN 299

$2.94 BTN 248

$3.54 BTN 299

Cappuccino

$1.42 BTN 120

$1.15 BTN 97.3

$2.87 BTN 242

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

$0.51 BTN 43.11

$0.3 BTN 25

$0.84 BTN 70.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 BTN 15.67

$0.13 BTN 11.06

$0.25 BTN 21.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 BTN 248

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 BTN 202

$1.8 BTN 152

$2.4 BTN 202

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 BTN 72.3

$0.6 BTN 50.5

$0.96 BTN 81

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 BTN 81.3

$0.24 BTN 20.32

$1.83 BTN 155

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.69 BTN 58.6

$0.46 BTN 38.77

$1.14 BTN 96.5

Eggs

$1.97 BTN 167

$1.05 BTN 88.3

$3.01 BTN 254

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.31 BTN 279

$2.32 BTN 196

$4.64 BTN 392

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.9 BTN 329

$2.93 BTN 248

$6.81 BTN 575

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.38 BTN 370

$3.57 BTN 302

$4.76 BTN 402

Apples (1kg)

$2.55 BTN 215

$1.2 BTN 101

$3.34 BTN 282

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 BTN 129

$1.2 BTN 101

$2.38 BTN 201

Oranges (1kg)

$1.9 BTN 160

$1.06 BTN 89.6

$2.94 BTN 248

Tomato (1kg)

$0.72 BTN 61.2

$0.45 BTN 38.35

$0.9 BTN 75.9

Potato (1kg)

$0.49 BTN 41.34

$0.34 BTN 28.37

$0.56 BTN 47.01

Onion (1kg)

$0.61 BTN 51.8

$0.49 BTN 41.3

$0.79 BTN 66.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.46 BTN 38.42

$0.24 BTN 20.09

$0.54 BTN 45.41

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.31 BTN 26.57

$0.22 BTN 18.52

$0.33 BTN 28.18

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.81 BTN 321

$2.34 BTN 198

$5.86 BTN 494

Wine (Bottle)

$3.57 BTN 301

$2.97 BTN 251

$4.75 BTN 401

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 BTN 53.9

$0.37 BTN 30.91

$0.97 BTN 82.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.08 BTN 90.9

$0.89 BTN 75.3

$2.39 BTN 202

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.7 BTN 144

$1.19 BTN 100

$3.4 BTN 287

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.05 BTN 342

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.91 BTN 76.7

$0.61 BTN 51.2

$1.22 BTN 103

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.26 BTN 191

$1.7 BTN 143

$2.82 BTN 238

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.15 BTN 12.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 BTN 82.2

$0.73 BTN 61.9

$1.31 BTN 111

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

$22.67 BTN 1,914

$11.42 BTN 964

$33.92 BTN 2,864

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

$37.43 BTN 3,160

$17.41 BTN 1,470

$57.5 BTN 4,850

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.59 BTN 2,244

$11.53 BTN 973

$34.26 BTN 2,892

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.42 BTN 4,088

$17.43 BTN 1,472

$87.2 BTN 7,357

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.71 BTN 651

Cinema Ticket

$3.58 BTN 303

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

$241 BTN 20.4K

$43.31 BTN 3,656

$439 BTN 37.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$675 BTN 57K

$646 BTN 54.5K

$705 BTN 59.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.13 BTN 770

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.76 BTN 993

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$32.42 BTN 2,737

$29.48 BTN 2,489

$35.37 BTN 2,986

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$32.2 BTN 2,718

$29.28 BTN 2,471

$35.12 BTN 2,965

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$118 BTN 9,926

$88.5 BTN 7,471

$169 BTN 14.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$62.5 BTN 5,274

$30.76 BTN 2,596

$104 BTN 8,765

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 BTN 16.9K

$162 BTN 13.7K

$232 BTN 19.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$137 BTN 11.6K

$91.4 BTN 7,717

$194 BTN 16.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$615 BTN 51.9K

$527 BTN 44.5K

$703 BTN 59.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$117 BTN 9,891

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$569 BTN 48.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

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.