Cost of living in Bhutan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 17% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 657 Ngultrum (¥1,106) | ¥1,025 | + 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 500 Ngultrum (¥842) | ¥723 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 473 Ngultrum (¥796) | ¥519 | + 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 89 Ngultrum (¥151) | ¥197 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 454 Ngultrum (¥764) | ¥316 | + 142% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Ngultrum (¥93) | ¥629 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 992 Ngultrum (¥1,672) | ¥962 | + 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 144 Ngultrum (¥243) | ¥902 | - 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum (¥67) | ¥574 | - 88% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 95 Ngultrum (¥159) | ¥285 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 506 Ngultrum (¥853) | ¥1,208 | - 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 161 Ngultrum (¥271) | ¥184 | + 47% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 95 Ngultrum (¥160) | ¥206 | - 22% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 64% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,263 Ngultrum (¥62,781) | ¥326,267 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 26,943 Ngultrum (¥45,394) | ¥171,772 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,755 Ngultrum (¥2,956) | ¥28,488 | - 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 50,000 Ngultrum (¥84,240) | ¥157,603 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum (¥33,696) | ¥82,713 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,370) | ¥24,082 | - 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Ngultrum (¥2,527) | ¥4,699 | - 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,000 Ngultrum (¥13,478) | ¥47,482 | - 72% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,000 Ngultrum (¥13,478) | ¥32,093 | - 58% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 500 Ngultrum (¥842) | ¥1,313 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,500 Ngultrum (¥4,212) | ¥6,136 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,370) | ¥5,199 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,500 Ngultrum (¥7,582) | ¥8,989 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,500 Ngultrum (¥7,582) | ¥13,588 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 57% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 57% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum (¥3,369,611) | ¥2,700,660 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum (¥143) | ¥165 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,516) | ¥10,143 | - 85% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum (¥297) | ¥2,497 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum (¥253) | ¥1,967 | - 87% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,370) | ¥5,380 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum (¥468) | ¥650 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum (¥632) | ¥938 | - 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum (¥1,685) | ¥702 | + 140% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum (¥337) | ¥218 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum (¥110) | ¥216 | - 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥3,927 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Bhutan | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum (¥2,527) | ¥4,141 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,516) | ¥3,600 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,370) | ¥4,000 | - 16% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum (¥3,370) | ¥5,993 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum (¥1,516) | ¥984 | + 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum (¥590) | ¥472 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum (¥253) | ¥575 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum (¥96,765) | ¥101,122 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum (¥20,218) | ¥9,280 | + 118% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum (¥253) | ¥592 | - 57% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 818 prices entered by 104 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.685
JPY
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 42% cheaper than in Japan
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