Cost of living in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 32% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 4,398 prices entered by 580 different people.

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Currency:
Food | - 46% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 46% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 467 Ngultrum (ARS $797) | ARS $1,900 | - 58% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 327 Ngultrum (ARS $557) | ARS $1,238 | - 55% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 160 Ngultrum (ARS $274) | ARS $439 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 72 Ngultrum (ARS $123) | ARS $156 | - 21% | |
12 eggs, large | 141 Ngultrum (ARS $241) | ARS $362 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 59 Ngultrum (ARS $101) | ARS $231 | - 57% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 208 Ngultrum (ARS $354) | ARS $701 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 138 Ngultrum (ARS $236) | ARS $248 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 35 Ngultrum (ARS $59) | ARS $125 | - 53% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 66 Ngultrum (ARS $112) | ARS $215 | - 48% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 864 Ngultrum (ARS $1,472) | ARS $926 | + 59% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 85 Ngultrum (ARS $145) | ARS $299 | - 52% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29 Ngultrum (ARS $50) | ARS $125 | - 60% | |
Housing | - 34% | |||
Housing in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 34% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,718 Ngultrum (ARS $64,309) | ARS $138,798 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 21,622 Ngultrum (ARS $36,865) | ARS $91,189 | - 60% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,463 Ngultrum (ARS $11,019) | ARS $5,778 | + 91% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,064 Ngultrum (ARS $54,670) | ARS $84,631 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 18,456 Ngultrum (ARS $31,467) | ARS $56,151 | - 44% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,439 Ngultrum (ARS $7,568) | ARS $4,830 | + 57% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,832 Ngultrum (ARS $3,123) | ARS $3,771 | - 17% | |
40” flat screen tv | 40,290 Ngultrum (ARS $68,695) | ARS $57,668 | + 19% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 9,656 Ngultrum (ARS $16,463) | ARS $32,374 | - 49% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 336 Ngultrum (ARS $573) | ARS $759 | - 24% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 324 Ngultrum (ARS $553) | ARS $630 | - 12% | |
Clothes | - 61% | |||
Clothes in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 61% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,182 Ngultrum (ARS $3,721) | ARS $12,197 | - 69% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,110 Ngultrum (ARS $3,597) | ARS $8,162 | - 56% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 5,165 Ngultrum (ARS $8,807) | ARS $22,998 | - 62% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,416 Ngultrum (ARS $5,824) | ARS $17,755 | - 67% | |
Transportation | - 2% | |||
Transportation in Thimphu (Bhutan) is about the same as in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,531,360 Ngultrum (ARS $2,610,979) | ARS $4,420,400 | - 41% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 66 Ngultrum (ARS $112) | ARS $145 | - 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,293 Ngultrum (ARS $3,909) | ARS $1,912 | + 104% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | ARS $1,701 | - | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 23% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 118 Ngultrum (ARS $201) | ARS $902 | - 78% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 500 Ngultrum (ARS $853) | ARS $1,415 | - 40% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,000 Ngultrum (ARS $5,115) | ARS $2,449 | + 109% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 261 Ngultrum (ARS $444) | ARS $487 | - 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 198 Ngultrum (ARS $338) | ARS $353 | - 4% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 285 Ngultrum (ARS $486) | ARS $462 | + 5% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 102 Ngultrum (ARS $174) | ARS $302 | - 42% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 53 Ngultrum (ARS $91) | ARS $287 | - 68% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (ARS $597) | ARS $1,301 | - 54% | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in Thimphu (Bhutan) is 34% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Thimphu | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,615 Ngultrum (ARS $2,754) | ARS $3,571 | - 23% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 480 Ngultrum (ARS $819) | ARS $1,738 | - 53% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,699 Ngultrum (ARS $2,897) | ARS $3,951 | - 27% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,326 Ngultrum (ARS $3,966) | ARS $4,908 | - 19% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 688 Ngultrum (ARS $1,173) | ARS $1,222 | - 4% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 167 Ngultrum (ARS $285) | ARS $500 | - 43% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 103 Ngultrum (ARS $175) | ARS $489 | - 64% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,943 Ngultrum (ARS $98,793) | ARS $115,582 | - 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.70 Ngultrum (ARS $4.60) | ARS $39 | - 88% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,763 Ngultrum (ARS $4,711) | ARS $5,026 | - 6% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 331 Ngultrum (ARS $564) | ARS $372 | + 52% | |
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TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on August 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.705
ARS
/
BTN
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ARS $429,000 in Buenos Aires you would need to make just about ARS $292,543 (171,579 Ngultrum) in Thimphu.
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