Cost of living in Bhutan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 331 Ngultrum (29元) | 54元 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 800 Ngultrum (71元) | 36元 | + 96% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 400 Ngultrum (35元) | 16元 | + 124% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 72 Ngultrum (6元) | 14元 | - 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 350 Ngultrum (31元) | 14元 | + 120% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 8元 | + 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 600 Ngultrum (53元) | 56元 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 154 Ngultrum (14元) | 13元 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 72 Ngultrum (6元) | 7元 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 6元 | + 116% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,609 Ngultrum (231元) | 109元 | + 113% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 78 Ngultrum (7元) | 9元 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 100 Ngultrum (9元) | 10元 | - 8% | |
| Housing | - 0% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is about the same as in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 100,000 Ngultrum (8,859元) | 7,537元 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (1,772元) | 4,597元 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Ngultrum (443元) | 416元 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 60,000 Ngultrum (5,315元) | 6,994元 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,000 Ngultrum (2,215元) | 3,863元 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,000 Ngultrum (354元) | 264元 | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,000 Ngultrum (177元) | 87元 | + 104% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 50,000 Ngultrum (4,430元) | 2,180元 | + 103% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 10,000 Ngultrum (886元) | 614元 | + 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (89元) | 46元 | + 91% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 400 Ngultrum (35元) | 45元 | - 21% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,500 Ngultrum (310元) | 370元 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (177元) | 226元 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,438 Ngultrum (393元) | 582元 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Ngultrum (266元) | 519元 | - 49% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (177,183元) | 160,747元 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Ngultrum (6元) | 6元 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (80元) | 177元 | - 55% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 10% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (16元) | 29元 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 500 Ngultrum (44元) | 35元 | + 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 488元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (25元) | 31元 | - 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (33元) | 38元 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 300 Ngultrum (27元) | 33元 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 116 Ngultrum (10元) | 9元 | + 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 10元 | + 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (31元) | 86元 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | + 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 29% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,000 Ngultrum (266元) | 195元 | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,000 Ngultrum (89元) | 95元 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (177元) | 996元 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,000 Ngultrum (443元) | 413元 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Ngultrum (71元) | 71元 | - 0% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 400 Ngultrum (35元) | 34元 | + 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500 Ngultrum (44元) | 32元 | + 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (5,088元) | 3,170元 | + 61% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.55元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,065 Ngultrum (537元) | 370元 | + 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,200 Ngultrum (106元) | 22元 | + 380% | |
| TOTAL | + 6% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,911 prices entered by 200 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.08859
CNY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 6% more expensive than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 75% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 27% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 23% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 76% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in China
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 56% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 39% cheaper than in China