Cost of living in Bhutan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 331 Ngultrum (¥483) | ¥941 | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 800 Ngultrum (¥1,166) | ¥695 | + 68% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 400 Ngultrum (¥583) | ¥426 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 72 Ngultrum (¥104) | ¥203 | - 49% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 350 Ngultrum (¥510) | ¥244 | + 109% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 150 Ngultrum (¥219) | ¥653 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 600 Ngultrum (¥875) | ¥888 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 154 Ngultrum (¥224) | ¥792 | - 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 72 Ngultrum (¥105) | ¥389 | - 73% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 150 Ngultrum (¥219) | ¥306 | - 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,609 Ngultrum (¥3,803) | ¥1,351 | + 182% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 78 Ngultrum (¥113) | ¥185 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 100 Ngultrum (¥146) | ¥246 | - 41% | |
| Housing | - 51% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 51% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 100,000 Ngultrum (¥145,763) | ¥295,978 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (¥29,153) | ¥169,167 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Ngultrum (¥7,288) | ¥25,258 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 60,000 Ngultrum (¥87,458) | ¥144,655 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,000 Ngultrum (¥36,441) | ¥80,593 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,000 Ngultrum (¥5,831) | ¥13,235 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥2,915) | ¥4,060 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 50,000 Ngultrum (¥72,882) | ¥55,604 | + 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 10,000 Ngultrum (¥14,576) | ¥10,692 | + 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,458) | ¥778 | + 87% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 400 Ngultrum (¥583) | ¥2,599 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 38% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 38% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,500 Ngultrum (¥5,102) | ¥6,849 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥2,915) | ¥4,780 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,438 Ngultrum (¥6,469) | ¥8,249 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Ngultrum (¥4,373) | ¥12,511 | - 65% | |
| Transportation | - 59% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (¥2,915,261) | ¥2,585,890 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Ngultrum (¥102) | ¥135 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,312) | ¥10,445 | - 87% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (¥257) | ¥1,225 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 500 Ngultrum (¥729) | ¥1,626 | - 55% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥6,148 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (¥405) | ¥812 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (¥547) | ¥655 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 300 Ngultrum (¥437) | ¥501 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 116 Ngultrum (¥169) | ¥170 | - 0% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 150 Ngultrum (¥219) | ¥229 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (¥510) | ¥2,983 | - 83% | |
| Entertainment | + 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 10% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,000 Ngultrum (¥4,373) | ¥3,633 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,458) | ¥3,657 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥2,915) | ¥12,969 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,000 Ngultrum (¥7,288) | ¥6,422 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Ngultrum (¥1,166) | ¥1,122 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 400 Ngultrum (¥583) | ¥445 | + 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500 Ngultrum (¥729) | ¥556 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (¥83,718) | ¥52,544 | + 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥40 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,065 Ngultrum (¥8,841) | ¥9,497 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,200 Ngultrum (¥1,749) | ¥525 | + 233% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 784 prices entered by 138 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.458
JPY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 37% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 9% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 55% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in Angola is 24% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Argentina is 64% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan