Cost of living in Bumthang

Bumthang, a picturesque district in Bhutan, is known for its rich culture and stunning landscapes. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone planning to move or visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.96 on average, with a range between $2.6 and $4.14.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $17.75, with prices ranging from $9.47 to $59.18.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $2.96, with a range between $2.96 and $3.55.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2.96 to $10, imported beer $1.78 to $2.37, cappuccino $1.18 to $2.96, and Coke/Pepsi $0.3 to $0.95.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.59 and $0.95 per liter, averaging $0.84.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.24 and $1.78, with an average price of $0.95.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.09 to $3.12, averaging $2.21.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.18 to $3.31 per kg, while oranges range from $1.07 to $2.96 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.36 and $1.18 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.24 to $0.59 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.88 and $1.42 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.59, with a cost of $1.18 to $2.96 per km and $0.18 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $52.32.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $11.84 and $31.39, averaging $21.62.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $29.59 to $32.55, with an average cost of $31.18.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$2.96
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$17.75
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$2.96
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.48
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.54
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.84
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.95
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.21
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.37
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.55
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$3.85
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.85
Apples (1kg)
$2.37
Oranges (1kg)
$1.82
Potato (1kg)
$0.51
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.46
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.72
Tomato (1kg)
$0.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.45
Onion (1kg)
$0.57
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$4.26
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$21,305.41
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.95
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.78
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.18
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,039.94
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$52.32
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$21.62
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$31.18
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$35.04
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$3.55
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.47
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$11.84
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$32.55
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$32.55
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
9.6%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$247.08
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$680.59
OverviewJob Market
Bumthang Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Bumthang offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other regions, with affordable dining and grocery options.

Housing costs are notably low, especially for city centre apartments, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals.

Transportation and utility costs are also manageable, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Bumthang.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bumthang, Bhutan, presents an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, housing, and transportation.

This makes it an appealing destination for those looking to experience Bhutanese culture without a high financial burden.

Potential residents should consider these factors when planning their move to ensure a comfortable and budget-friendly lifestyle.

Bumthang

Nearby Cities

Thimphu65 miles
Guwahati122 miles
Siliguri152 miles
Shillong161 miles
All cities in Bhutan