Cost of living in Paro
Paro, a picturesque town in Bhutan, is known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living in Paro is crucial for anyone considering moving to or visiting this unique location.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Paro, covering everything 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 $2.61 and $4.15.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $17.77, with prices ranging from $9.47 to $59.22.
- 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 $3.13, averaging $2.21.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.18 to $3.32 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 $200.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $150.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $500.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $450.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $11.84 and $31.61, averaging $21.73.
- Internet - Internet services range from $29.61 to $32.57, with an average cost of $31.26.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 3 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$2.96
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$17.77
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
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)
$3.38
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)
$0.73
Tomato (1kg)
$0.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.45
Onion (1kg)
$0.57
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$4.26
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$21,318.53
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)
$26,055.98
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$200.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$150.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$450.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$21.73
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$31.26
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$35.22
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.55
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$3.55
Clothing And Shoes
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)
$32.57
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$32.57
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$651.40
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
9.6%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$247.24
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$681.01
Paro Cost of Living
"Key Takeaways"
Paro offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other global destinations, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability.
Dining out is particularly affordable, with inexpensive meals available at local restaurants.
Housing costs are modest, especially outside the city centre, providing good value for money.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paro, Bhutan, presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining, reasonable housing costs, and manageable utility expenses.
Whether you're planning a short visit or considering a longer stay, understanding these costs will help you budget effectively and enjoy all that Paro has to offer.
Paro