Cost of living in Bhutan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bhutan is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 657 Ngultrum ($8) | $19 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 500 Ngultrum ($6) | $10 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 473 Ngultrum ($5.74) | $5.79 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 89 Ngultrum ($1.09) | $1.08 | + 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 454 Ngultrum ($5.50) | $4.96 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 55 Ngultrum ($0.67) | $4.81 | - 86% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 992 Ngultrum ($12) | $7 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 144 Ngultrum ($1.75) | $4.69 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 Ngultrum ($0.48) | $2.52 | - 81% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 95 Ngultrum ($1.15) | $3.12 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 506 Ngultrum ($6) | $16 | - 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 161 Ngultrum ($1.95) | $2.74 | - 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 95 Ngultrum ($1.15) | $3.05 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 75% | |||
| Housing in Bhutan is 75% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 37,263 Ngultrum ($452) | $2,847 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 26,943 Ngultrum ($327) | $2,153 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,755 Ngultrum ($21) | $221 | - 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 50,000 Ngultrum ($607) | $1,884 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,000 Ngultrum ($243) | $1,438 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Ngultrum ($24) | $149 | - 84% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,500 Ngultrum ($18) | $64 | - 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 8,000 Ngultrum ($97) | $295 | - 67% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,000 Ngultrum ($97) | $136 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 500 Ngultrum ($6) | $14 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $31 | - | |
| Clothes | - 46% | |||
| Clothes in Bhutan is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,500 Ngultrum ($30) | $54 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,000 Ngultrum ($24) | $45 | - 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,500 Ngultrum ($55) | $93 | - 41% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,500 Ngultrum ($55) | $121 | - 55% | |
| Transportation | - 61% | |||
| Transportation in Bhutan is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 2,000,000 Ngultrum ($24,272) | $27,744 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 85 Ngultrum ($1.03) | $1.05 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 900 Ngultrum ($11) | $79 | - 86% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Bhutan is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 176 Ngultrum ($2.14) | $8 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 150 Ngultrum ($1.82) | $21 | - 91% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,000 Ngultrum ($24) | $139 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 278 Ngultrum ($3.37) | $8 | - 60% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Ngultrum ($4.55) | $4.83 | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Ngultrum ($12) | $6 | + 94% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 200 Ngultrum ($2.43) | $4.78 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 65 Ngultrum ($0.79) | $2.24 | - 65% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $28 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Bhutan is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Bhutan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,500 Ngultrum ($18) | $55 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 900 Ngultrum ($11) | $28 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000 Ngultrum ($24) | $200 | - 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,000 Ngultrum ($24) | $89 | - 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 900 Ngultrum ($11) | $14 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 350 Ngultrum ($4.25) | $5.19 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 150 Ngultrum ($1.82) | $6 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 57,434 Ngultrum ($697) | $567 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.20 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,000 Ngultrum ($146) | $54 | + 167% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 150 Ngultrum ($1.82) | $10 | - 82% | |
| TOTAL | - 57% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 21,894 prices entered by 2,810 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01214
USD
/
BTN
Cost of living in Bhutan is 57% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 50% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 10% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 52% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 22% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 45% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 31% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in United States