Cost of living in Bhutan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 35% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 200 Ngultrum (20元) | 46元 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 542 Ngultrum (53元) | 34元 | + 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 211 Ngultrum (21元) | 15元 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 58 Ngultrum (5.66元) | 15元 | - 63% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 137 Ngultrum (13元) | 14元 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 70 Ngultrum (7元) | 8元 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 222 Ngultrum (22元) | 59元 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 45 Ngultrum (4.39元) | 15元 | - 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum (3.95元) | 6.00元 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 65 Ngultrum (6元) | 5.17元 | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 695 Ngultrum (68元) | 112元 | - 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 70 Ngultrum (7元) | 8元 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 28 Ngultrum (2.78元) | 14元 | - 80% | |
| Housing | + 86% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 86% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,144 Ngultrum (2,660元) | 9,398元 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 22,200 Ngultrum (2,175元) | 4,947元 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 4,817 Ngultrum (472元) | 431元 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 30,607 Ngultrum (2,999元) | 5,740元 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 21,711 Ngultrum (2,128元) | 3,030元 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 14,384 Ngultrum (1,410元) | 277元 | + 409% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 18,033 Ngultrum (1,767元) | 96元 | + 1744% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 41,329 Ngultrum (4,050元) | 2,464元 | + 64% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 10,815 Ngultrum (1,060元) | 561元 | + 89% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 297 Ngultrum (29元) | 38元 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 298 Ngultrum (29元) | 47元 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is about the same as in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,855 Ngultrum (280元) | 481元 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,939 Ngultrum (288元) | 250元 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,827 Ngultrum (865元) | 647元 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,855 Ngultrum (378元) | 620元 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 900,000 Ngultrum (88,194元) | 134,340元 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 51 Ngultrum (4.99元) | 7元 | - 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,000 Ngultrum (196元) | 149元 | + 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 44% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 90 Ngultrum (9元) | 37元 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 46元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 347元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 162 Ngultrum (16元) | 62元 | - 75% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 124 Ngultrum (12元) | 47元 | - 74% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 107 Ngultrum (10元) | 31元 | - 66% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 85 Ngultrum (8元) | 8元 | + 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 39 Ngultrum (3.78元) | 12元 | - 69% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 71元 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 28% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Ngultrum (49元) | 177元 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 200 Ngultrum (20元) | 100元 | - 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,029元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,092 Ngultrum (107元) | 395元 | - 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 150 Ngultrum (15元) | 68元 | - 78% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 50 Ngultrum (4.90元) | 33元 | - 85% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 62 Ngultrum (6元) | 31元 | - 80% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 63,960 Ngultrum (6,268元) | 3,256元 | + 92% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 50 Ngultrum (4.90元) | 0.31元 | + 1480% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,000 Ngultrum (294元) | 335元 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 323 Ngultrum (32元) | 22元 | + 44% | |
| TOTAL | + 18% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 3,163 prices entered by 364 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 16, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.09799
CNY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 18% more expensive than in China
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