Cost of living in Beijing, China vs Thimphu, Bhutan
Currency:
Food | + 49% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Beijing (China) is 49% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 52元 (590 Ngultrum) | 416 Ngultrum | + 42% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 38元 (431 Ngultrum) | 327 Ngultrum | + 32% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 12元 (136 Ngultrum) | 160 Ngultrum | - 15% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 11元 (126 Ngultrum) | 72 Ngultrum | + 74% | |
12 eggs, large | 13元 (148 Ngultrum) | 141 Ngultrum | + 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 5.89元 (66 Ngultrum) | 56 Ngultrum | + 18% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 62元 (704 Ngultrum) | 199 Ngultrum | + 254% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (173 Ngultrum) | 138 Ngultrum | + 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.20元 (59 Ngultrum) | 34 Ngultrum | + 72% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.80元 (54 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 102元 (1,149 Ngultrum) | 864 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (98 Ngultrum) | 85 Ngultrum | + 15% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (132 Ngultrum) | 25 Ngultrum | + 420% | |
Housing | + 154% | |||
Housing in Beijing (China) is 154% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,161元 (137,046 Ngultrum) | 33,397 Ngultrum | + 310% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,613元 (85,793 Ngultrum) | 19,953 Ngultrum | + 330% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 310元 (3,494 Ngultrum) | 6,463 Ngultrum | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 9,687元 (109,164 Ngultrum) | 26,426 Ngultrum | + 313% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 5,642元 (63,588 Ngultrum) | 18,456 Ngultrum | + 245% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 256元 (2,890 Ngultrum) | 4,153 Ngultrum | - 30% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 80元 (897 Ngultrum) | 1,094 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,409元 (27,146 Ngultrum) | 41,226 Ngultrum | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 543元 (6,125 Ngultrum) | 9,656 Ngultrum | - 37% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 33元 (374 Ngultrum) | 336 Ngultrum | + 11% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 43元 (487 Ngultrum) | 324 Ngultrum | + 50% | |
Clothes | + 67% | |||
Clothes in Beijing (China) is 67% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 556元 (6,271 Ngultrum) | 2,182 Ngultrum | + 187% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 249元 (2,804 Ngultrum) | 2,110 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 545元 (6,142 Ngultrum) | 5,165 Ngultrum | + 19% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 689元 (7,768 Ngultrum) | 3,295 Ngultrum | + 136% | |
Transportation | + 0% | |||
Transportation in Beijing (China) is about the same as in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 131,114元 (1,477,596 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | - 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 (80 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 189元 (2,131 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | - 7% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 37元 (413 Ngultrum) | 315 Ngultrum | + 31% | |
Personal Care | + 53% | |||
Personal Care in Beijing (China) is 53% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 36元 (408 Ngultrum) | 84 Ngultrum | + 388% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 54元 (612 Ngultrum) | 500 Ngultrum | + 22% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 250元 (2,815 Ngultrum) | 3,000 Ngultrum | - 6% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 37元 (420 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | + 61% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 35元 (395 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | + 100% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 36元 (408 Ngultrum) | 285 Ngultrum | + 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 (92 Ngultrum) | 99 Ngultrum | - 7% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 12元 (136 Ngultrum) | 53 Ngultrum | + 156% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 93元 (1,045 Ngultrum) | 202 Ngultrum | + 417% | |
Entertainment | + 61% | |||
Entertainment in Beijing (China) is 61% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 209元 (2,354 Ngultrum) | 1,340 Ngultrum | + 76% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 108元 (1,216 Ngultrum) | 480 Ngultrum | + 153% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,136元 (12,806 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 654% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 480元 (5,410 Ngultrum) | 2,326 Ngultrum | + 133% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 74元 (831 Ngultrum) | 688 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 36元 (410 Ngultrum) | 167 Ngultrum | + 145% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 28元 (312 Ngultrum) | 103 Ngultrum | + 204% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,319元 (37,402 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 35% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.81元 (9 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 238% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 432元 (4,871 Ngultrum) | 2,763 Ngultrum | + 76% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20元 (223 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | - 33% | |
TOTAL | + 61% |

These prices were last updated on January 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
11.270
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Cost of living in Beijing (China) is 61% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan)
For example, you would need at least 159,491 Ngultrum (14,152元) in Beijing to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 99,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu.
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