Cost of living in Bhutan compared to India
Currency:
| Food | - 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 8% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ₨405 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 120 Ngultrum (₨120) | ₨361 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 165 Ngultrum (₨165) | ₨178 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 180 Ngultrum (₨180) | ₨62 | + 189% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 60 Ngultrum (₨60) | ₨102 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 65 Ngultrum (₨65) | ₨45 | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 480 Ngultrum (₨480) | ₨254 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 120 Ngultrum (₨120) | ₨195 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 110 Ngultrum (₨110) | ₨41 | + 169% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 80 Ngultrum (₨80) | ₨166 | - 52% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 250 Ngultrum (₨250) | ₨909 | - 72% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Ngultrum (₨120) | ₨93 | + 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 75 Ngultrum (₨75) | ₨41 | + 81% | |
| Housing | + 61% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 61% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,000 Ngultrum (₨25,015) | ₨47,435 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ₨28,288 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,300 Ngultrum (₨1,301) | ₨5,128 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Ngultrum (₨20,012) | ₨30,304 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Ngultrum (₨10,006) | ₨17,855 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨2,001) | ₨4,698 | - 57% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 10,151 Ngultrum (₨10,157) | ₨737 | + 1278% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,000 Ngultrum (₨25,015) | ₨25,574 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,500 Ngultrum (₨2,502) | ₨12,652 | - 80% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 350 Ngultrum (₨350) | ₨536 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨743 | - | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 5% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Ngultrum (₨1,201) | ₨2,366 | - 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,500 Ngultrum (₨2,502) | ₨2,561 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ngultrum (₨6,004) | ₨4,197 | + 43% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,000 Ngultrum (₨4,002) | ₨2,957 | + 35% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 17% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (₨2,001,236) | ₨1,758,920 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (₨85) | ₨103 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (₨901) | ₨1,626 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 51% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (₨176) | ₨94 | + 88% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨250 | - 40% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨2,001) | ₨1,186 | + 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (₨278) | ₨346 | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (₨375) | ₨229 | + 64% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (₨1,001) | ₨271 | + 270% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (₨200) | ₨195 | + 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (₨65) | ₨96 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨314 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 54% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Bhutan | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum (₨1,501) | ₨1,276 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (₨901) | ₨640 | + 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨2,001) | ₨1,586 | + 26% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (₨2,001) | ₨2,144 | - 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (₨901) | ₨709 | + 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (₨350) | ₨234 | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨200 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (₨57,470) | ₨42,549 | + 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨5.78 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (₨12,007) | ₨1,629 | + 637% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (₨150) | ₨273 | - 45% | |
| 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 3,966 prices entered by 540 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.001
INR
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 26% more expensive than in India
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