Cost of living in Bhutan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 331 Ngultrum (¥554) | ¥1,145 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 800 Ngultrum (¥1,336) | ¥719 | + 86% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 400 Ngultrum (¥668) | ¥437 | + 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 72 Ngultrum (¥120) | ¥211 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | ¥282 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 150 Ngultrum (¥251) | ¥815 | - 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 600 Ngultrum (¥1,002) | ¥951 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 154 Ngultrum (¥257) | ¥984 | - 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Ngultrum (¥50) | ¥421 | - 88% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 150 Ngultrum (¥251) | ¥268 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,609 Ngultrum (¥4,359) | ¥1,770 | + 146% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 78 Ngultrum (¥129) | ¥217 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 100 Ngultrum (¥167) | ¥225 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 100,000 Ngultrum (¥167,053) | ¥194,768 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (¥33,411) | ¥126,641 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Ngultrum (¥8,353) | ¥21,178 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 60,000 Ngultrum (¥100,232) | ¥142,258 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,000 Ngultrum (¥41,763) | ¥80,836 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 4,000 Ngultrum (¥6,682) | ¥13,643 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,341) | ¥3,988 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,000 Ngultrum (¥13,364) | ¥59,521 | - 78% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 10,000 Ngultrum (¥16,705) | ¥17,809 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,671) | ¥665 | + 151% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 400 Ngultrum (¥668) | ¥2,700 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,500 Ngultrum (¥5,847) | ¥7,941 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,341) | ¥4,162 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,438 Ngultrum (¥7,414) | ¥7,471 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,000 Ngultrum (¥5,012) | ¥15,388 | - 67% | |
| Transportation | - 70% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 70% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (¥3,341,060) | ¥2,576,380 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 70 Ngultrum (¥117) | ¥161 | - 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,503) | ¥16,725 | - 91% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (¥295) | ¥1,370 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 500 Ngultrum (¥835) | ¥1,955 | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥3,523 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (¥464) | ¥2,205 | - 79% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (¥626) | ¥648 | - 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 300 Ngultrum (¥501) | ¥409 | + 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 116 Ngultrum (¥194) | ¥143 | + 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 150 Ngultrum (¥251) | ¥184 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (¥585) | ¥3,583 | - 84% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 15% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,000 Ngultrum (¥5,012) | ¥4,280 | + 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,671) | ¥3,593 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,341) | ¥20,657 | - 84% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,000 Ngultrum (¥8,353) | ¥6,242 | + 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Ngultrum (¥1,336) | ¥1,034 | + 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 400 Ngultrum (¥668) | ¥533 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 500 Ngultrum (¥835) | ¥526 | + 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (¥95,946) | ¥58,872 | + 63% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥41 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 6,065 Ngultrum (¥10,132) | ¥11,178 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,200 Ngultrum (¥2,005) | ¥554 | + 262% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 605 prices entered by 78 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.671
JPY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 37% cheaper than in Japan
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