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Overview
Bhutan🇧🇹
At a Glance
How Bhutan compares across key indices
Cost of Living
25 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
79/100
Healthcare
57/100
Quality of Life
159/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Bhutan
Cost of Living
25
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
19
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
25
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
26
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in Bhutan - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
79/100
Crime Index
10/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
Daytime100
Nighttime100
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Bhutan
Bhutan has 4 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $494 in Phuntsholing to $578 in Thimphu. Phuntsholing leads on safety, scoring 84/100. Phuntsholing ranks highest for quality of life at 168/200.
💸Most Affordable
Phuntsholing
$494/mo
Safest
Phuntsholing
84/100
Best Quality of Life
Phuntsholing
168/200
Best Healthcare
Thimphu
60/100
City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
4 of 4 shown| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thimphu | $578 | 80/100 | 166/200 | 60/100 | 46 |
| Phuntsholing | $494 | 84/100 | 168/200 | 53/100 | 40 |
| Tsirang | $494 | 84/100 | 168/200 | 53/100 | 40 |
| Punākha | $494 | 84/100 | 168/200 | 53/100 | 40 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled 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
Families
Schools
1 verified school profile across 1 city in Bhutan — language model, grade range, credentials, and published tuition. A sample is shown here; filter the full set in the School Finder.
School records are maintained from direct school pages, public credential directories, public registry claims, and carefully labeled directory/community sources. Admissions, seat availability, and tuition can change quickly, so Freedom Abroad treats unpublished costs as “Contact school” instead of estimating.
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Bhutan
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Bhutan
Pollution Index
48/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
23.9ug/m3
Moderate
Environmental Quality
Air Quality100/100
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
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 25 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $578 in Thimphu.
Is Bhutan safe for expats?
Bhutan has a safety index of 79/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Thimphu scores highest on safety at 80/100.
What is the best city in Bhutan for expats and digital nomads?
Thimphu ranks highest for quality of life in Bhutan, scoring 166/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $578/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Bhutan?
Bhutan scores 57/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Bhutan cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Bhutan's cost of living is roughly 75% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 81% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Core tools and insurance next steps for planning a move to Bhutan
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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