Cost of living in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 49% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 100 prices entered by 8 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 56% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 56% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 379 Ngultrum (C$6) | C$22 | - 72% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 529 Ngultrum (C$9) | C$10 | - 17% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 217 Ngultrum (C$3.51) | C$5.78 | - 39% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 69 Ngultrum (C$1.11) | C$1.97 | - 44% | |
12 eggs, large | 162 Ngultrum (C$2.63) | C$4.31 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 59 Ngultrum (C$0.96) | C$3.89 | - 75% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 321 Ngultrum (C$5.20) | C$10 | - 48% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 136 Ngultrum (C$2.21) | C$4.59 | - 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 36 Ngultrum (C$0.58) | C$3.65 | - 84% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 77 Ngultrum (C$1.25) | C$3.41 | - 64% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 747 Ngultrum (C$12) | C$19 | - 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 87 Ngultrum (C$1.41) | C$2.55 | - 45% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 37 Ngultrum (C$0.60) | C$2.11 | - 72% | |
Housing | - 67% | |||
Housing in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 67% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 30,928 Ngultrum (C$501) | C$2,291 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 21,393 Ngultrum (C$347) | C$1,332 | - 74% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,635 Ngultrum (C$59) | C$124 | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,195 Ngultrum (C$522) | C$1,235 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 19,694 Ngultrum (C$319) | C$875 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,144 Ngultrum (C$67) | C$68 | - 1% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,148 Ngultrum (C$19) | C$54 | - 66% | |
40” flat screen tv | 40,280 Ngultrum (C$653) | C$311 | + 110% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,558 Ngultrum (C$139) | C$140 | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 343 Ngultrum (C$5.56) | C$10 | - 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 325 Ngultrum (C$5.26) | C$25 | - 79% | |
Clothes | - 24% | |||
Clothes in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 24% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,779 Ngultrum (C$45) | C$57 | - 21% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,096 Ngultrum (C$34) | C$41 | - 17% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,081 Ngultrum (C$82) | C$105 | - 21% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,194 Ngultrum (C$52) | C$117 | - 56% | |
Transportation | - 31% | |||
Transportation in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 31% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,531,360 Ngultrum (C$24,821) | C$22,942 | + 8% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 63 Ngultrum (C$1.02) | C$1.66 | - 38% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,293 Ngultrum (C$37) | C$67 | - 44% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 370 Ngultrum (C$6.00) | - | - | |
Personal Care | - 50% | |||
Personal Care in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 50% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 118 Ngultrum (C$1.92) | C$8 | - 76% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 294 Ngultrum (C$4.77) | C$22 | - 78% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,498 Ngultrum (C$40) | C$77 | - 47% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 261 Ngultrum (C$4.23) | C$6 | - 35% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 198 Ngultrum (C$3.21) | C$4.17 | - 23% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 309 Ngultrum (C$5.02) | C$4.59 | + 9% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 107 Ngultrum (C$1.74) | C$3.11 | - 44% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 55 Ngultrum (C$0.89) | C$2.78 | - 68% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (C$5.67) | C$20 | - 72% | |
Entertainment | - 45% | |||
Entertainment in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 45% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,515 Ngultrum (C$25) | C$53 | - 53% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 472 Ngultrum (C$8) | C$26 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,699 Ngultrum (C$28) | C$135 | - 80% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,274 Ngultrum (C$37) | C$96 | - 62% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 726 Ngultrum (C$12) | C$10 | + 21% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 225 Ngultrum (C$3.64) | C$4.71 | - 23% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 104 Ngultrum (C$1.68) | C$7 | - 74% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,943 Ngultrum (C$939) | C$647 | + 45% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.70 Ngultrum (C$0.04) | C$0.24 | - 82% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,361 Ngultrum (C$38) | C$37 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 331 Ngultrum (C$5.37) | C$11 | - 51% | |
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TOTAL | - 49% |

These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01621
CAD
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$6,500 in Abbotsford you would need to make just about C$3,290 (202,979 Ngultrum) in Thimphu.
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