🇧🇹Cost of Living in Thimphu
Bhutan · Population: 115,000 · Cost Index: 30/100
Cost of Living in Thimphu
Bhutan · Asia
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, nestled in a valley of the western Himalayas at an elevation of 2,320 meters. It is one of the few capital cities in the world without traffic lights, reflecting the country's emphasis on tradition and Gross National Happiness.
115,000
Population
30
Cost Index
80
Safety Index
55
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $650 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$350.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$200.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$700.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$400.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$3.50Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$18.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.00Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.20Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.50Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.90Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.80Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.50Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.80Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.00Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$12.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.25Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.60Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.35Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.10Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$35.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$5.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$25.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$5.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$8.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$3.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$20.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$3.00Cappuccino(per cup)
$2.50Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.50Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$40.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$20.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$55.00Compare Thimphu with another city
See how Thimphu stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- BTN
- Language
- Dzongkha
- Cost Index
- 30/100
- Safety Index
- 80/100
- Quality of Life
- 55/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.