Cost of living in Chengdu (China) is 23% 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 31 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chengdu (China) is 24% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 30元 (353 Ngultrum) | 468 Ngultrum | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 34元 (406 Ngultrum) | 510 Ngultrum | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (177 Ngultrum) | 216 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17元 (198 Ngultrum) | 76 Ngultrum | + 161% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 12元 (148 Ngultrum) | 152 Ngultrum | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8元 (92 Ngultrum) | 61 Ngultrum | + 50% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 59元 (701 Ngultrum) | 353 Ngultrum | + 98% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12元 (146 Ngultrum) | 146 Ngultrum | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4.87元 (58 Ngultrum) | 38 Ngultrum | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.84元 (69 Ngultrum) | 75 Ngultrum | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 133元 (1,579 Ngultrum) | 683 Ngultrum | + 131% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (103 Ngultrum) | 91 Ngultrum | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10元 (119 Ngultrum) | 41 Ngultrum | + 188% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in Chengdu (China) is 27% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,612元 (54,589 Ngultrum) | 38,226 Ngultrum | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,952元 (34,939 Ngultrum) | 23,365 Ngultrum | + 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 481元 (5,689 Ngultrum) | 3,395 Ngultrum | + 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 3,235元 (38,294 Ngultrum) | 31,702 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,790元 (21,190 Ngultrum) | 18,938 Ngultrum | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 218元 (2,578 Ngultrum) | 3,867 Ngultrum | - 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 94元 (1,109 Ngultrum) | 887 Ngultrum | + 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,972元 (23,340 Ngultrum) | 40,494 Ngultrum | - 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 565元 (6,687 Ngultrum) | 7,715 Ngultrum | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 46元 (539 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 74% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 42元 (493 Ngultrum) | 325 Ngultrum | + 52% | |
| Clothes | + 62% | |||
| Clothes in Chengdu (China) is 62% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 460元 (5,449 Ngultrum) | 2,784 Ngultrum | + 96% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 267元 (3,165 Ngultrum) | 2,143 Ngultrum | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 616元 (7,291 Ngultrum) | 5,991 Ngultrum | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 657元 (7,778 Ngultrum) | 3,388 Ngultrum | + 130% | |
| Transportation | + 10% | |||
| Transportation in Chengdu (China) is 10% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 170,161元 (2,014,166 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (96 Ngultrum) | 63 Ngultrum | + 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 174元 (2,063 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | - 10% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26元 (312 Ngultrum) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Chengdu (China) is 50% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 25元 (301 Ngultrum) | 118 Ngultrum | + 154% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 24元 (288 Ngultrum) | 294 Ngultrum | - 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 158元 (1,874 Ngultrum) | 2,498 Ngultrum | - 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 18元 (210 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | - 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 40元 (469 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | + 137% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 35元 (419 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10元 (120 Ngultrum) | 107 Ngultrum | + 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 11元 (136 Ngultrum) | 55 Ngultrum | + 147% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 59元 (696 Ngultrum) | 350 Ngultrum | + 99% | |
| Entertainment | + 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Chengdu (China) is 23% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chengdu | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 162元 (1,918 Ngultrum) | 1,515 Ngultrum | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 80元 (950 Ngultrum) | 472 Ngultrum | + 101% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 306元 (3,618 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 113% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 301元 (3,561 Ngultrum) | 2,274 Ngultrum | + 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 52元 (619 Ngultrum) | 726 Ngultrum | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 32元 (379 Ngultrum) | 225 Ngultrum | + 69% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 34元 (408 Ngultrum) | 104 Ngultrum | + 294% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,218元 (38,092 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.39元 (4.62 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 225元 (2,665 Ngultrum) | 2,361 Ngultrum | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 21元 (245 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | - 26% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 23% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 31 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
11.837
BTN
/
CNY
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For example, you would need at least 135,308 Ngultrum (11,431元) in Chengdu to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 110,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu.
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