Cost of living in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 48% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 21 prices entered by 7 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 58% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 58% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 467 Ngultrum (C$8) | C$20 | - 62% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 327 Ngultrum (C$5.39) | C$10 | - 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 160 Ngultrum (C$2.64) | C$5.78 | - 54% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 72 Ngultrum (C$1.19) | C$1.98 | - 40% | |
12 eggs, large | 141 Ngultrum (C$2.32) | C$4.18 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 59 Ngultrum (C$0.97) | C$3.17 | - 69% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 208 Ngultrum (C$3.42) | C$10 | - 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 138 Ngultrum (C$2.28) | C$4.24 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 35 Ngultrum (C$0.57) | C$3.76 | - 85% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 66 Ngultrum (C$1.08) | C$3.41 | - 68% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 864 Ngultrum (C$14) | C$19 | - 26% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 85 Ngultrum (C$1.40) | C$2.48 | - 43% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29 Ngultrum (C$0.48) | C$1.93 | - 75% | |
Housing | - 57% | |||
Housing in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 57% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,718 Ngultrum (C$621) | C$2,136 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 21,622 Ngultrum (C$356) | C$1,241 | - 71% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,463 Ngultrum (C$106) | C$124 | - 14% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,064 Ngultrum (C$528) | C$1,120 | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 18,456 Ngultrum (C$304) | C$805 | - 62% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,439 Ngultrum (C$73) | C$66 | + 10% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,832 Ngultrum (C$30) | C$54 | - 44% | |
40” flat screen tv | 40,290 Ngultrum (C$664) | C$311 | + 113% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 9,656 Ngultrum (C$159) | C$97 | + 65% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 336 Ngultrum (C$5.54) | C$10 | - 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 324 Ngultrum (C$5.34) | 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) | 2,182 Ngultrum (C$36) | C$60 | - 40% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,110 Ngultrum (C$35) | C$39 | - 11% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,165 Ngultrum (C$85) | C$98 | - 13% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,416 Ngultrum (C$56) | C$117 | - 52% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 27% 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$25,226) | C$22,942 | + 10% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 66 Ngultrum (C$1.09) | C$1.40 | - 22% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,293 Ngultrum (C$38) | C$67 | - 43% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | - | - | |
Personal Care | - 43% | |||
Personal Care in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 43% 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$1.95) | C$8 | - 76% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 500 Ngultrum (C$8) | C$22 | - 62% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,000 Ngultrum (C$49) | C$77 | - 36% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 261 Ngultrum (C$4.29) | C$6 | - 33% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 198 Ngultrum (C$3.26) | C$3.85 | - 15% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 285 Ngultrum (C$4.70) | C$4.33 | + 9% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 102 Ngultrum (C$1.68) | C$3.16 | - 47% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 53 Ngultrum (C$0.88) | C$2.46 | - 64% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (C$5.77) | C$20 | - 71% | |
Entertainment | - 52% | |||
Entertainment in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 52% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,615 Ngultrum (C$27) | C$51 | - 48% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 480 Ngultrum (C$8) | C$27 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,699 Ngultrum (C$28) | C$135 | - 79% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,326 Ngultrum (C$38) | C$96 | - 60% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 688 Ngultrum (C$11) | C$10 | + 16% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 167 Ngultrum (C$2.76) | C$5.42 | - 49% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 103 Ngultrum (C$1.69) | C$7 | - 74% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,943 Ngultrum (C$954) | C$647 | + 48% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.70 Ngultrum (C$0.04) | C$0.83 | - 95% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,763 Ngultrum (C$46) | C$37 | + 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 331 Ngultrum (C$5.45) | C$11 | - 50% | |
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TOTAL | - 48% |

These prices were last updated on April 13, 2022.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$6,400 in Abbotsford you would need to make just about C$3,315 (201,207 Ngultrum) in Thimphu.
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