Trongsa, a picturesque town in Bhutan, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or travel.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Trongsa, covering dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help 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

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for preschool ranges from $44.41 to $450.06, averaging $247.24.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly fees for international primary school range from $651.4 to $710.62, averaging $681.01.

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

We don't have enough data available for this city...
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
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
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
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
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)
$32.57
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$32.57
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
$247.24
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$681.01
Trongsa Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Trongsa offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable dining and grocery options.

Transportation costs are modest, and basic utilities are quite economical, making it an attractive location for budget-conscious individuals.

While housing data is limited, the available information suggests that education costs can vary significantly, especially for private schooling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Trongsa presents an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, groceries, and transportation.

Potential residents should consider the variability in education expenses and the limited data on housing when planning their move.

Overall, Trongsa is a cost-effective choice for those looking to experience the cultural richness of Bhutan without a high financial burden.