Cost of living in Bhutan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is about the same as in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 657 Ngultrum (56元) | 46元 | + 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 500 Ngultrum (43元) | 40元 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 473 Ngultrum (41元) | 16元 | + 156% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 89 Ngultrum (8元) | 18元 | - 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 454 Ngultrum (39元) | 19元 | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Ngultrum (4.75元) | 11元 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 992 Ngultrum (85元) | 63元 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 144 Ngultrum (12元) | 15元 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum (3.42元) | 6元 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 95 Ngultrum (8元) | 7元 | + 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 506 Ngultrum (44元) | 118元 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 161 Ngultrum (14元) | 8元 | + 64% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 95 Ngultrum (8元) | 16元 | - 50% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 55% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,263 Ngultrum (3,205元) | 15,059元 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 26,943 Ngultrum (2,317元) | 9,006元 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,755 Ngultrum (151元) | 421元 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 50,000 Ngultrum (4,300元) | 7,547元 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (1,720元) | 4,347元 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (172元) | 262元 | - 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Ngultrum (129元) | 115元 | + 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,000 Ngultrum (688元) | 1,143元 | - 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,000 Ngultrum (688元) | 589元 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 500 Ngultrum (43元) | 39元 | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 51元 | - | |
| Clothes | - 42% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 42% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,500 Ngultrum (215元) | 529元 | - 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (172元) | 248元 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,500 Ngultrum (387元) | 626元 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,500 Ngultrum (387元) | 828元 | - 53% | |
| Transportation | - 29% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 29% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (172,018元) | 161,247元 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (7元) | 9元 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (77元) | 204元 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (15元) | 39元 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 27元 | - 52% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (172元) | 391元 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (24元) | 53元 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (32元) | 33元 | - 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (86元) | 34元 | + 150% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (17元) | 13元 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (5.59元) | 15元 | - 62% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 74元 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is about the same as in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum (129元) | 265元 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (77元) | 110元 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (172元) | 1,294元 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (172元) | 348元 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (77元) | 79元 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (30元) | 29元 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 18元 | - 28% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (4,940元) | 3,321元 | + 49% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.20元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (1,032元) | 410元 | + 151% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (13元) | 24元 | - 47% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,407 prices entered by 139 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.08601
CNY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 26% cheaper than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 54% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 13% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 25% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Armenia is about the same as in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in Angola is about the same as in China
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 38% more expensive than in China