Cost of Living in Thimphu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $421 (excluding rent), and $462 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $924 (excluding rent), and $1,059 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.93 BTN 248

$4.11 BTN 347

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.35 BTN 1,464

$9.25 BTN 781

$57.8 BTN 4,881

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.45 BTN 291

$2.87 BTN 242

$3.45 BTN 291

Cappuccino

$1.41 BTN 119

$1.14 BTN 96.5

$2.84 BTN 240

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

$0.51 BTN 43.12

$0.3 BTN 25.01

$0.84 BTN 70.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 BTN 13.15

$0.11 BTN 9.28

$0.21 BTN 17.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 BTN 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 BTN 199

$1.77 BTN 150

$2.36 BTN 199

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 BTN 73.2

$0.61 BTN 51.1

$0.97 BTN 82

White Bread (500g)

$0.89 BTN 75

$0.22 BTN 18.76

$1.69 BTN 143

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.73 BTN 61.9

$0.49 BTN 40.96

$1.21 BTN 102

Eggs

$2.05 BTN 173

$1.09 BTN 91.6

$3.12 BTN 264

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.23 BTN 272

$2.26 BTN 191

$4.53 BTN 382

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.96 BTN 334

$2.98 BTN 252

$6.92 BTN 584

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.32 BTN 364

$3.52 BTN 297

$4.69 BTN 396

Apples (1kg)

$2.47 BTN 208

$1.16 BTN 98

$3.23 BTN 273

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 BTN 122

$1.14 BTN 96

$2.27 BTN 191

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 BTN 157

$1.04 BTN 88

$2.89 BTN 244

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 BTN 64.2

$0.48 BTN 40.21

$0.94 BTN 79.6

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 BTN 44.6

$0.36 BTN 30.61

$0.6 BTN 50.7

Onion (1kg)

$0.57 BTN 48.18

$0.45 BTN 38.38

$0.74 BTN 62.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.46 BTN 38.97

$0.24 BTN 20.37

$0.55 BTN 46.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.32 BTN 26.91

$0.22 BTN 18.75

$0.34 BTN 28.54

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.71 BTN 313

$2.28 BTN 193

$5.71 BTN 482

Wine (Bottle)

$3.3 BTN 279

$2.75 BTN 232

$4.4 BTN 371

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 BTN 49.45

$0.34 BTN 28.37

$0.89 BTN 75.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.08 BTN 91

$0.89 BTN 75.4

$2.39 BTN 202

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.7 BTN 144

$1.19 BTN 100

$3.41 BTN 288

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.88 BTN 328

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 BTN 71.5

$0.56 BTN 47.69

$1.14 BTN 96.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.26 BTN 190

$1.69 BTN 143

$2.81 BTN 237

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.17 BTN 14.02

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 BTN 80.5

$0.72 BTN 60.6

$1.28 BTN 108

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

$22.67 BTN 1,913

$11.42 BTN 964

$33.92 BTN 2,863

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

$36.91 BTN 3,115

$17.17 BTN 1,449

$56.6 BTN 4,782

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.21 BTN 2,297

$11.8 BTN 996

$35.06 BTN 2,960

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.7 BTN 4,026

$17.17 BTN 1,450

$85.9 BTN 7,247

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.41 BTN 625

Cinema Ticket

$3.57 BTN 301

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

$242 BTN 20.5K

$43.55 BTN 3,676

$441 BTN 37.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$678 BTN 57.2K

$649 BTN 54.7K

$708 BTN 59.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.6 BTN 810

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.62 BTN 981

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$31.44 BTN 2,654

$28.58 BTN 2,413

$34.3 BTN 2,895

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$31.97 BTN 2,699

$29.07 BTN 2,454

$34.87 BTN 2,944

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$115 BTN 9,691

$86.4 BTN 7,295

$165 BTN 14K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$63.5 BTN 5,363

$31.27 BTN 2,640

$106 BTN 8,912

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)

$141 BTN 11.9K

$94.3 BTN 7,959

$200 BTN 16.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$591 BTN 49.9K

$507 BTN 42.8K

$676 BTN 57K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$112 BTN 9,488

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$545 BTN 46K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.75

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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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.