Cost of living in Bhutan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥1,035 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 120 Ngultrum (¥202) | ¥840 | - 76% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 165 Ngultrum (¥278) | ¥618 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 180 Ngultrum (¥303) | ¥237 | + 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 60 Ngultrum (¥101) | ¥335 | - 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 65 Ngultrum (¥109) | ¥439 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 480 Ngultrum (¥808) | ¥1,195 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 120 Ngultrum (¥202) | ¥822 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 110 Ngultrum (¥185) | ¥509 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 80 Ngultrum (¥135) | ¥303 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 250 Ngultrum (¥421) | ¥1,267 | - 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 120 Ngultrum (¥202) | ¥276 | - 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 75 Ngultrum (¥126) | ¥293 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,000 Ngultrum (¥42,079) | ¥365,082 | - 88% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥197,136 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,300 Ngultrum (¥2,188) | ¥19,132 | - 89% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Ngultrum (¥33,663) | ¥132,549 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,000 Ngultrum (¥16,832) | ¥102,459 | - 84% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,366) | ¥8,349 | - 60% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 10,151 Ngultrum (¥17,086) | ¥4,448 | + 284% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 25,000 Ngultrum (¥42,079) | ¥74,559 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,500 Ngultrum (¥4,208) | ¥25,414 | - 83% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 350 Ngultrum (¥589) | ¥1,338 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | - 39% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,200 Ngultrum (¥2,020) | ¥8,708 | - 77% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,500 Ngultrum (¥4,208) | ¥5,103 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ngultrum (¥10,099) | ¥9,892 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,000 Ngultrum (¥6,733) | ¥12,189 | - 45% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 53% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (¥3,366,323) | ¥3,007,320 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (¥143) | ¥169 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,515) | ¥8,198 | - 82% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (¥297) | ¥2,133 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (¥252) | ¥2,551 | - 90% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,366) | ¥6,000 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (¥467) | ¥1,337 | - 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (¥631) | ¥930 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,683) | ¥622 | + 171% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (¥337) | ¥224 | + 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (¥109) | ¥188 | - 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 6% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum (¥2,525) | ¥4,908 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,515) | ¥3,881 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,366) | ¥7,212 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,366) | ¥8,269 | - 59% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,515) | ¥1,244 | + 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (¥589) | ¥547 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (¥252) | ¥674 | - 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (¥96,671) | ¥51,659 | + 87% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (¥20,198) | ¥9,530 | + 112% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (¥252) | ¥602 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 456 prices entered by 96 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.683
JPY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 34% cheaper than in Japan
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