Cost of Living in Thimphu vs Manama

Cost of living in Thimphu is 57% lower than in Manama (without rent).

Rent in Thimphu is 81% cheaper than in Manama.

Cost of living including rent in Thimphu is 69% lower than in Manama.

Food in Thimphu is 53% cheaper than in Manama.

Transport in Thimphu is 76% cheaper than in Manama.

Thimphu vs. Manama Comparision

Thimphu Manama
Cost of Living, including rent
387 $
1,267 $
Without Rent
265 $
611 $
Rent & Utilities
122 $
655 $
Food
177 $
375 $
Transport
33 $
134 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
570 $
2,207 $
Quality of Life
50
72
Population
115.0K
298.0K

Compare other cities?

Thimphu Manama

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
2.99 $ 6.61 $
Dinner, for 2 16.2 $ 52.9 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 3 $ 7.11 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.45 $ 7.93 $
Capuccino 1.54 $ 5.22 $
Coke, 330ml 0.56 $ 0.84 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.85 $ 1.86 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 0.97 $ 1.53 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.74 $ 2.38 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.25 $ 2.66 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.43 $ 7.36 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.93 $ 6.84 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.33 $ 11.2 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.39 $ 2.36 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.47 $ 2.08 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.82 $ 1.81 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.51 $ 0.78 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.57 $ 0.95 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.22 $ 0.59 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.07 $ 2.02 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 3.55 $ 19.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 0.73 $ 2.61 $
Cigarette pack 3.92 $ 6.37 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1.52 $ 0.86 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 4 $ 34.8 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.04 $ 0.55 $
Taxi, 8 km 15.4 $ 47.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 29.9 $ 40.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 1.64 $ 5.49 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.7 $ 6.01 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.27 $ 2.81 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 0.66 $ 3.42 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
13.9 $ 76.2 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
21.3 $ 118 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
32.3 $ 40.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 65.3 $ 497 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 161 $ 1,097 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 119 $ 706 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 222 $ 1,650 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 625 $ 2,471 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 869 $ 1,550 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 570 $ 2,207 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 9.56 % 7.41 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 49.6 $ 73.2 $
Cinema, 1 seat 3.6 $ 10.5 $
Haircut 3.33 $ 4.83 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 32.8 $ 93.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 33.2 $ 47.9 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 251 $ 436 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 691 $ 10,026 $