Cost of living in Bhutan compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 69% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 657 Ngultrum (₨656) | ₨367 | + 79% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 500 Ngultrum (₨500) | ₨331 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 473 Ngultrum (₨472) | ₨168 | + 181% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 89 Ngultrum (₨89) | ₨58 | + 55% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 454 Ngultrum (₨453) | ₨93 | + 388% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Ngultrum (₨55) | ₨39 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 992 Ngultrum (₨991) | ₨241 | + 312% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 144 Ngultrum (₨144) | ₨154 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum (₨40) | ₨31 | + 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 95 Ngultrum (₨94) | ₨169 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 506 Ngultrum (₨506) | ₨776 | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 161 Ngultrum (₨161) | ₨91 | + 76% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 95 Ngultrum (₨95) | ₨37 | + 155% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 17% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,263 Ngultrum (₨37,228) | ₨40,484 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 26,943 Ngultrum (₨26,917) | ₨24,222 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,755 Ngultrum (₨1,753) | ₨5,258 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 50,000 Ngultrum (₨49,952) | ₨25,031 | + 100% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (₨19,981) | ₨15,316 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998) | ₨5,856 | - 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Ngultrum (₨1,499) | ₨665 | + 125% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,000 Ngultrum (₨7,992) | ₨31,013 | - 74% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,000 Ngultrum (₨7,992) | ₨11,734 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 500 Ngultrum (₨500) | ₨552 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨447 | - | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 16% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,500 Ngultrum (₨2,498) | ₨2,473 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998) | ₨2,814 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,500 Ngultrum (₨4,496) | ₨4,387 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,500 Ngultrum (₨4,496) | ₨3,148 | + 43% | |
| Transportation | + 4% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is about the same as in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998,092) | ₨1,326,030 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (₨85) | ₨105 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (₨899) | ₨1,093 | - 18% | |
| Personal Care | + 55% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 55% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (₨176) | ₨144 | + 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨263 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998) | ₨916 | + 118% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (₨277) | ₨412 | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (₨375) | ₨231 | + 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (₨999) | ₨281 | + 255% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (₨200) | ₨175 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (₨65) | ₨102 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨316 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 59% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum (₨1,499) | ₨1,432 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (₨899) | ₨597 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998) | ₨1,467 | + 36% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨1,998) | ₨1,933 | + 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (₨899) | ₨720 | + 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (₨350) | ₨226 | + 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨182 | - 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (₨57,379) | ₨50,214 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨1.43 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (₨11,989) | ₨1,621 | + 640% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨265 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | + 32% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 7,960 prices entered by 1,238 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.999
INR
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 32% more expensive than in India
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in India
- Cost of living in Andorra is 202% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 162% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 340% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in India
- Cost of living in Argentina is 61% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 218% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Angola is 84% more expensive than in India