Cost of living in Bhutan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 200 Ngultrum (¥310) | ¥1,041 | - 70% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 542 Ngultrum (¥840) | ¥713 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 211 Ngultrum (¥327) | ¥467 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 58 Ngultrum (¥89) | ¥215 | - 58% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 137 Ngultrum (¥213) | ¥287 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 70 Ngultrum (¥108) | ¥484 | - 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 222 Ngultrum (¥345) | ¥1,246 | - 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 45 Ngultrum (¥69) | ¥610 | - 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum (¥62) | ¥381 | - 84% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 65 Ngultrum (¥101) | ¥267 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 695 Ngultrum (¥1,077) | ¥1,801 | - 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 70 Ngultrum (¥108) | ¥223 | - 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 28 Ngultrum (¥44) | ¥242 | - 82% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 17% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,144 Ngultrum (¥42,047) | ¥197,391 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 22,200 Ngultrum (¥34,389) | ¥112,128 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 4,817 Ngultrum (¥7,462) | ¥15,296 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 30,607 Ngultrum (¥47,413) | ¥119,023 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 21,711 Ngultrum (¥33,632) | ¥92,673 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 14,384 Ngultrum (¥22,281) | ¥11,742 | + 90% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 18,033 Ngultrum (¥27,934) | ¥3,714 | + 652% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 41,329 Ngultrum (¥64,021) | ¥37,069 | + 73% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 10,815 Ngultrum (¥16,753) | ¥10,892 | + 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 297 Ngultrum (¥459) | ¥749 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 298 Ngultrum (¥462) | ¥1,906 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 8% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,855 Ngultrum (¥4,423) | ¥6,528 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,939 Ngultrum (¥4,553) | ¥4,644 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,827 Ngultrum (¥13,673) | ¥7,956 | + 72% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,855 Ngultrum (¥5,972) | ¥13,013 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 59% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 900,000 Ngultrum (¥1,394,157) | ¥2,936,380 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 51 Ngultrum (¥79) | ¥143 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,098) | ¥9,633 | - 68% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 90 Ngultrum (¥139) | ¥1,406 | - 90% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥929 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥8,740 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 162 Ngultrum (¥251) | ¥554 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 124 Ngultrum (¥193) | ¥669 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 107 Ngultrum (¥165) | ¥525 | - 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 85 Ngultrum (¥132) | ¥218 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 39 Ngultrum (¥60) | ¥251 | - 76% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥2,654 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 6% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Ngultrum (¥775) | ¥3,633 | - 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 200 Ngultrum (¥310) | ¥3,165 | - 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥15,347 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,092 Ngultrum (¥1,691) | ¥6,734 | - 75% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 150 Ngultrum (¥232) | ¥809 | - 71% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 50 Ngultrum (¥77) | ¥511 | - 85% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 62 Ngultrum (¥96) | ¥509 | - 81% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 63,960 Ngultrum (¥99,078) | ¥46,875 | + 111% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 50 Ngultrum (¥77) | ¥26 | + 194% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,000 Ngultrum (¥4,647) | ¥8,766 | - 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 323 Ngultrum (¥500) | ¥477 | + 5% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,385 prices entered by 203 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 21, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.549
JPY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 27% cheaper than in Japan
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