Cost of living in Beijing (China) is 61% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan)
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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 47 prices entered by 16 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Beijing (China) is 27% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 (558 Ngultrum) | 468 Ngultrum | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (429 Ngultrum) | 510 Ngultrum | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 12元 (139 Ngultrum) | 216 Ngultrum | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 12元 (150 Ngultrum) | 76 Ngultrum | + 98% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17元 (201 Ngultrum) | 152 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (114 Ngultrum) | 61 Ngultrum | + 86% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54元 (643 Ngultrum) | 353 Ngultrum | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (177 Ngultrum) | 146 Ngultrum | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (73 Ngultrum) | 38 Ngultrum | + 93% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (75 Ngultrum) | 75 Ngultrum | + 0% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 79元 (952 Ngultrum) | 683 Ngultrum | + 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (100 Ngultrum) | 91 Ngultrum | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10元 (121 Ngultrum) | 41 Ngultrum | + 192% | |
| Housing | + 174% | |||
| Housing in Beijing (China) is 174% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 13,993元 (167,930 Ngultrum) | 38,226 Ngultrum | + 339% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,120元 (97,455 Ngultrum) | 23,365 Ngultrum | + 317% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 382元 (4,589 Ngultrum) | 3,395 Ngultrum | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,358元 (88,301 Ngultrum) | 31,702 Ngultrum | + 179% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,126元 (49,522 Ngultrum) | 18,938 Ngultrum | + 161% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 193元 (2,312 Ngultrum) | 3,867 Ngultrum | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 91元 (1,089 Ngultrum) | 887 Ngultrum | + 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,862元 (22,344 Ngultrum) | 40,494 Ngultrum | - 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 560元 (6,716 Ngultrum) | 7,715 Ngultrum | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 34元 (406 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 56元 (669 Ngultrum) | 325 Ngultrum | + 106% | |
| Clothes | + 58% | |||
| Clothes in Beijing (China) is 58% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 441元 (5,294 Ngultrum) | 2,784 Ngultrum | + 90% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 253元 (3,036 Ngultrum) | 2,143 Ngultrum | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 497元 (5,967 Ngultrum) | 5,991 Ngultrum | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 797元 (9,562 Ngultrum) | 3,388 Ngultrum | + 182% | |
| Transportation | + 29% | |||
| Transportation in Beijing (China) is 29% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 154,765元 (1,857,363 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (100 Ngultrum) | 63 Ngultrum | + 60% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 249元 (2,994 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | + 31% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 38元 (452 Ngultrum) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 71% | |||
| Personal Care in Beijing (China) is 71% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28元 (337 Ngultrum) | 118 Ngultrum | + 185% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 46元 (548 Ngultrum) | 294 Ngultrum | + 86% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 242元 (2,910 Ngultrum) | 2,498 Ngultrum | + 16% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 43元 (510 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | + 96% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 38元 (454 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | + 129% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (305 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10元 (115 Ngultrum) | 107 Ngultrum | + 7% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 14元 (169 Ngultrum) | 55 Ngultrum | + 208% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 86元 (1,026 Ngultrum) | 350 Ngultrum | + 193% | |
| Entertainment | + 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Beijing (China) is 40% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 239元 (2,863 Ngultrum) | 1,515 Ngultrum | + 89% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 120元 (1,443 Ngultrum) | 472 Ngultrum | + 206% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 951元 (11,417 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 572% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 200元 (2,400 Ngultrum) | 2,274 Ngultrum | + 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 73元 (878 Ngultrum) | 726 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (337 Ngultrum) | 225 Ngultrum | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10元 (126 Ngultrum) | 104 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,423元 (41,085 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.41元 (4.97 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 389元 (4,673 Ngultrum) | 2,361 Ngultrum | + 98% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20元 (239 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | - 28% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 61% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 47 prices entered by 16 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
12.001
BTN
/
CNY
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For example, you would need at least 202,679 Ngultrum (16,888元) in Beijing to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 126,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu.
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