MigrantoCost of living in Bhutan
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Bhutan
Spending runs from BTN 10,300 a month in the poorest fifth to BTN 43,600 in the richest
Per person, whole country
BTN 20,600
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
BTN 10,300richest 20%
BTN 43,600
Where people spend money in Bhutan
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Bhutan in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 41.9% of spending here, or BTN 8,670 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 22.2 points more.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 96% of countries. A basket that costs BTN 95,300 at world-middle prices costs BTN 55,000 here.
Typical spending takes 58% of the average wage
A typical person spends BTN 20,600 a month while the average take-home wage is BTN 35,300, so 42% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Bhutan compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Bhutan against other countries
Cheaper than 96% of countries
Where Bhutan sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs BTN 95,300 at world-middle prices costs BTN 55,000 here.
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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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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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 standard of living in Bhutan?
By spending, Bhutan ranks #116 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about BTN 20,600 a month, the poorest 20% about BTN 10,300 and the richest 20% about BTN 43,600. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
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.
What currency is used in Bhutan?
Bhutan uses the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Bhutan
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