Bhutan🇧🇹

At a Glance

How Bhutan compares across key indices

Quality of Life174Safety70Healthcare73Affordability23Climate85Clean Air52

Cost of Living

23 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

70/100

Healthcare

73/100

Quality of Life

174/200

Climate

85/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Bhutan

Cost of Living

23

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

2

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

22

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

15

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Paro

Cheapest

$153/mo

Housing$153

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Bhutan — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

70/100

Crime Index

30/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

50/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime85
Nighttime64

21 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Low38
Property crimes
Low36
Drug-related crime
Low32
Violent crimes
Low28

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Low34
Being physically attacked
Low29
Home broken into
Low28
Being mugged or robbed
Low28
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low21
Car stolen
Very Low18
Being insulted or harassed
Very Low17

Based on 20 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Bhutan

Bhutan has 1 city with Numbeo data. Paro has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $153.

💸Most Affordable

Paro

$153/mo

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Paro$153————

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Bhutan

Healthcare Index

73/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment75/100
Accuracy & Completeness75/100
Friendliness & Courtesy71/100
Staff Skill & Competency68/100
Speed of Service68/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist68/100
Cost Satisfaction71/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 7 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

None
42.9%
Public
42.9%
Private
14.3%
Healthcare73Safety70Quality of Life174
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Bhutan

Pollution Index

52/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Green Spaces & Parks82/100
Drinking Water Quality64/100
Comfortable to Spend Time61/100
Clean & Tidy57/100
Air Quality55/100
Garbage Disposal47/100

Concerns

Water Pollution56/100
Noise & Light Pollution55/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 23 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Bhutan

Average One-Way Commute

3minutes

Very Short

Traffic Index

32

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

3

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

652g/trip

How People Commute

Car66.7%
Working from Home33.3%

Based on 3 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Bhutan, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Bhutan?

Bhutan has a cost of living index of 23 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $153 in Paro.

Is Bhutan safe for expats?

Bhutan has a safety index of 70/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers.

How good is healthcare in Bhutan?

Bhutan scores 73/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Bhutan cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Bhutan's cost of living is roughly 77% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 98% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Bhutan

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