Cost of Living in Thimphu (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Thimphu? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, ThimphuNu. 8,000–16,000 / month

Meal at a local restaurantNu. 150–350

CoffeeNu. 100–200

Groceries, one personNu. 6,000–11,000 / month

Taxi across townNu. 100–200

Good to know

Population

≈115,000 — the smallest capital in the app

Languages

Dzongkha (official); English is the medium of instruction in schools

Currency

Ngultrum (BTN), pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee

Time zone

Bhutan Time (GMT+6) — a single zone nationwide, no daylight saving

Power plug

Type D/F/G, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Subtropical highland — cold dry winters, mild summers, June–September monsoon

Altitude

≈2,320 m

Carbon status

Carbon negative — constitutionally required to keep 60% forest cover

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Thimphu checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.