Cost of living in Bhutan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | 41元 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 120 Ngultrum (10元) | 38元 | - 74% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 165 Ngultrum (14元) | 15元 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 180 Ngultrum (15元) | 14元 | + 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 60 Ngultrum (5.00元) | 16元 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 65 Ngultrum (5.41元) | 10元 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 480 Ngultrum (40元) | 50元 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 120 Ngultrum (10元) | 16元 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 110 Ngultrum (9元) | 6元 | + 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 80 Ngultrum (7元) | 7元 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 250 Ngultrum (21元) | 89元 | - 77% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Ngultrum (10元) | 8元 | + 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 75 Ngultrum (6元) | 13元 | - 50% | |
| Housing | - 6% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,000 Ngultrum (2,082元) | 11,256元 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 5,248元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,300 Ngultrum (108元) | 450元 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Ngultrum (1,666元) | 6,564元 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Ngultrum (833元) | 3,518元 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (167元) | 296元 | - 44% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 10,151 Ngultrum (846元) | 100元 | + 749% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,000 Ngultrum (2,082元) | 1,460元 | + 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,500 Ngultrum (208元) | 553元 | - 62% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 350 Ngultrum (29元) | 43元 | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 50元 | - | |
| Clothes | - 45% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 45% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Ngultrum (100元) | 418元 | - 76% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,500 Ngultrum (208元) | 302元 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ngultrum (500元) | 553元 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,000 Ngultrum (333元) | 705元 | - 53% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (166,594元) | 137,169元 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (7元) | 8元 | - 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (75元) | 228元 | - 67% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Bhutan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (15元) | 45元 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (12元) | 59元 | - 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (167元) | 114元 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (23元) | 67元 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (31元) | 57元 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (83元) | 25元 | + 233% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (17元) | 6元 | + 170% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (5.41元) | 15元 | - 65% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 64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 (125元) | 169元 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (75元) | 100元 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (167元) | 1,179元 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (167元) | 320元 | - 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (75元) | 81元 | - 7% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (29元) | 28元 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (12元) | 19元 | - 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (4,784元) | 3,680元 | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (1,000元) | 394元 | + 154% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (12元) | 25元 | - 50% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 745 prices entered by 113 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 06, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08330
CNY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 16% cheaper than in China
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