Cost of living in Bolivia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bolivia is 33% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $b53 (¥1,115) | ¥1,035 | + 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $b43 (¥893) | ¥817 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $b15 (¥310) | ¥618 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $b7 (¥153) | ¥237 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $b14 (¥287) | ¥335 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $b9 (¥183) | ¥439 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $b22 (¥450) | ¥1,195 | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $b15 (¥321) | ¥822 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $b8 (¥163) | ¥509 | - 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $b11 (¥234) | ¥312 | - 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $b57 (¥1,196) | ¥1,267 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $b12 (¥254) | ¥276 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $b5.28 (¥111) | ¥293 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 63% | |||
| Housing in Bolivia is 63% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $b3,684 (¥77,168) | ¥365,082 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $b2,803 (¥58,717) | ¥197,811 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $b378 (¥7,922) | ¥19,132 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $b2,703 (¥56,607) | ¥145,654 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $b2,465 (¥51,636) | ¥106,059 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $b297 (¥6,221) | ¥8,349 | - 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $b164 (¥3,425) | ¥4,448 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $b3,482 (¥72,921) | ¥74,559 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $b1,253 (¥26,247) | ¥25,414 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $b54 (¥1,124) | ¥1,338 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $b24 (¥505) | ¥2,815 | - 82% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Bolivia is 7% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $b438 (¥9,167) | ¥9,315 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $b268 (¥5,604) | ¥5,103 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $b632 (¥13,234) | ¥9,892 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $b568 (¥11,895) | ¥12,189 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Bolivia is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $b144,748 (¥3,031,700) | ¥3,060,780 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $b3.75 (¥79) | ¥169 | - 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $b148 (¥3,105) | ¥8,198 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Bolivia is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $b35 (¥727) | ¥2,133 | - 66% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $b69 (¥1,442) | ¥2,551 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $b202 (¥4,222) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $b20 (¥427) | ¥1,337 | - 68% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $b25 (¥528) | ¥930 | - 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $b39 (¥808) | ¥622 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $b12 (¥251) | ¥224 | + 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $b21 (¥430) | ¥188 | + 129% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $b65 (¥1,364) | ¥4,604 | - 70% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Bolivia is 37% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Bolivia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $b57 (¥1,192) | ¥4,908 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $b102 (¥2,132) | ¥3,881 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $b152 (¥3,182) | ¥7,212 | - 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $b185 (¥3,874) | ¥8,269 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $b47 (¥992) | ¥1,244 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $b27 (¥559) | ¥547 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $b22 (¥457) | ¥674 | - 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $b4,257 (¥89,163) | ¥51,659 | + 73% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $b1.40 (¥29) | ¥52 | - 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $b328 (¥6,866) | ¥9,530 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $b16 (¥337) | ¥613 | - 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 961 prices entered by 155 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
20.945
JPY
/
BOB
Cost of living in Bolivia is 45% cheaper than in Japan
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