Cost of living in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 214% 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 177 prices entered by 27 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 185% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 185% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 (1,788 Ngultrum) | 468 Ngultrum | + 282% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (889 Ngultrum) | 510 Ngultrum | + 75% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £4.81 (559 Ngultrum) | 216 Ngultrum | + 159% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.34 (156 Ngultrum) | 76 Ngultrum | + 106% | |
12 eggs, large | £4.04 (469 Ngultrum) | 152 Ngultrum | + 210% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £3.13 (364 Ngultrum) | 61 Ngultrum | + 493% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £5.60 (651 Ngultrum) | 353 Ngultrum | + 84% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.18 (253 Ngultrum) | 146 Ngultrum | + 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £1.05 (122 Ngultrum) | 38 Ngultrum | + 219% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £2.03 (236 Ngultrum) | 75 Ngultrum | + 215% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 (1,112 Ngultrum) | 683 Ngultrum | + 63% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | £2.47 (286 Ngultrum) | 91 Ngultrum | + 216% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.30 (151 Ngultrum) | 41 Ngultrum | + 265% | |
Housing | + 397% | |||
Housing in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 397% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,038 (236,653 Ngultrum) | 38,226 Ngultrum | + 519% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,475 (171,275 Ngultrum) | 23,365 Ngultrum | + 633% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £191 (22,135 Ngultrum) | 3,395 Ngultrum | + 552% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,297 (150,580 Ngultrum) | 31,702 Ngultrum | + 375% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £885 (102,748 Ngultrum) | 18,938 Ngultrum | + 443% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £110 (12,730 Ngultrum) | 3,867 Ngultrum | + 229% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £29 (3,341 Ngultrum) | 887 Ngultrum | + 277% | |
40” flat screen tv | £281 (32,685 Ngultrum) | 40,494 Ngultrum | - 19% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £77 (8,999 Ngultrum) | 7,715 Ngultrum | + 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 (777 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 151% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | £13 (1,478 Ngultrum) | 325 Ngultrum | + 355% | |
Clothes | + 151% | |||
Clothes in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 151% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £89 (10,310 Ngultrum) | 2,784 Ngultrum | + 270% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £37 (4,249 Ngultrum) | 2,143 Ngultrum | + 98% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £84 (9,810 Ngultrum) | 5,991 Ngultrum | + 64% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £97 (11,255 Ngultrum) | 3,388 Ngultrum | + 232% | |
Transportation | + 167% | |||
Transportation in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 167% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £27,926 (3,243,143 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | + 112% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.44 (168 Ngultrum) | 63 Ngultrum | + 167% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | £65 (7,569 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | + 230% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £18 (2,118 Ngultrum) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 164% | |||
Personal Care in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 164% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £5.12 (594 Ngultrum) | 118 Ngultrum | + 403% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 (971 Ngultrum) | 294 Ngultrum | + 230% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £84 (9,735 Ngultrum) | 2,498 Ngultrum | + 290% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £4.69 (545 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | + 109% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.71 (198 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | + 0% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.53 (410 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 32% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.42 (281 Ngultrum) | 107 Ngultrum | + 162% | |
Tube of toothpaste | £1.22 (142 Ngultrum) | 55 Ngultrum | + 158% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £21 (2,446 Ngultrum) | 350 Ngultrum | + 599% | |
Entertainment | + 181% | |||
Entertainment in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) is 181% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Edinburgh | Thimphu | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £40 (4,681 Ngultrum) | 1,515 Ngultrum | + 209% | |
2 tickets to the movies | £23 (2,722 Ngultrum) | 472 Ngultrum | + 477% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £135 (15,683 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 823% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £73 (8,508 Ngultrum) | 2,274 Ngultrum | + 274% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £10 (1,123 Ngultrum) | 726 Ngultrum | + 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.56 (414 Ngultrum) | 225 Ngultrum | + 84% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £6 (742 Ngultrum) | 104 Ngultrum | + 617% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £410 (47,612 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.12 (14 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 401% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | £44 (5,131 Ngultrum) | 2,361 Ngultrum | + 117% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £15 (1,723 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | + 420% | |
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TOTAL | + 214% |

These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
116.135
BTN
/
GBP
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For example, you would need at least 377,097 Ngultrum (£3,247) in Edinburgh to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 120,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu.
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