MigrantoCost of living in Bhutan
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
BTN 20,600
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
BTN 10,300richest 20%
BTN 43,600
Bhutan keeps a deliberate hand on how fast it grows, and that choice shapes what life costs. Tucked high in the Himalayas and leaning on its larger neighbor for much of what it can't grow or make itself, it carries the price of bringing goods up the mountains. Rich or modest, households here live much alike — there's little daylight between the comfortable and the just-coping.
Where people spend money in Bhutan
Most of a Bhutanese month goes to groceries, a place to live, and travel between valleys. Food leads, and much of it is carried in over hard terrain, so it's the cost you feel most and can bend least. Housing, by contrast, sits lighter than in many places, which leaves a little room once the necessities are covered.
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What it costs to live in Bhutan
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Cost of living in Bhutan
BTN 10,300/mo
vs BTN 76,200 in your country
Take-home
BTN 18,100
vs BTN 114,000 in your country
Potential savings
BTN 7,810
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Bhutan compare
On a world scale Bhutan comes out in the middle, and it keeps that same place among Asian countries. Left to its own modest economy it would sit cheaper; the cost of reaching a remote mountain market adds the difference back.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Bhutan?
A typical person in Bhutan spends about BTN 20,600 a month — around BTN 247,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Bhutan in US dollars?
The cost of living in Bhutan is about $216 a month, or roughly $2,592 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bhutan?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about BTN 10,300 a month per person, a typical one around BTN 20,600, and a comfortable life around BTN 26,800. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Bhutan?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about BTN 8,670 a month (42% of spending). Then come housing (BTN 2,480, 12%) and transport (BTN 1,620, 8%).
Is the average salary in Bhutan enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about BTN 20,600 a month, while the average take-home pay in Bhutan is about BTN 35,300. For more on incomes, see salaries in Bhutan.
Is Bhutan an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Bhutan is more expensive than 38% of countries worldwide and ranks 13th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
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Living in Bhutan
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