Cost of Living in Beihai - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $698 per month with rent, or $406 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,107 per month with rent, or $791 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,516 per month with rent, or $1,177 without housing.

Overall, Beihai is about 48% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (32% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.83 ¥19.31
$2.12 ¥14.47
$5.07 ¥34.61
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.63 ¥141
$16.50 ¥113
$41.26 ¥281
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.81 ¥32.83
$4.13 ¥28.18
$5.78 ¥39.44
Cappuccino
$3.05 ¥20.79
$1.41 ¥9.60
$4.93 ¥33.64
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ¥3.20
$0.44 ¥2.99
$0.73 ¥4.98
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ¥1.82
$0.24 ¥1.62
$0.40 ¥2.73
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.92 ¥6.28
$0.71 ¥4.83
$2.54 ¥17.32
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 ¥13.83
$1.35 ¥9.20
$3.38 ¥23.03
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 ¥12.20
$1.37 ¥9.37
$2.76 ¥18.81
White Bread (500g)
$1.54 ¥10.47
$0.95 ¥6.47
$2.73 ¥18.60
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 ¥6.44
$0.57 ¥3.88
$1.81 ¥12.33
Eggs
$1.57 ¥10.73
$0.98 ¥6.70
$2.47 ¥16.82
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.06 ¥89.1
$7.08 ¥48.28
$26.91 ¥184
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.09 ¥21.07
$1.64 ¥11.17
$5.46 ¥37.25
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.12 ¥69.0
$6.22 ¥42.39
$13.81 ¥94.2
Apples (1kg)
$1.78 ¥12.12
$1.12 ¥7.64
$2.82 ¥19.21
Banana (1kg)
$1.25 ¥8.55
$0.86 ¥5.84
$2.13 ¥14.53
Oranges (1kg)
$1.41 ¥9.58
$0.85 ¥5.79
$2.25 ¥15.37
Tomato (1kg)
$1.13 ¥7.70
$0.71 ¥4.85
$1.98 ¥13.52
Potato (1kg)
$0.68 ¥4.61
$0.34 ¥2.30
$1.07 ¥7.31
Onion (1kg)
$0.97 ¥6.64
$0.58 ¥3.96
$1.44 ¥9.82
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.57 ¥3.89
$0.28 ¥1.88
$1.09 ¥7.44
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ¥3.75
$0.36 ¥2.47
$0.87 ¥5.94
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15 ¥21.51
$2.81 ¥19.18
$4.49 ¥30.65
Wine (Bottle)
$9.02 ¥61.5
$5.80 ¥39.56
$25.65 ¥175
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 ¥5.18
$0.55 ¥3.77
$1.37 ¥9.35
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 ¥11.12
$0.98 ¥6.66
$2.81 ¥19.15
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 ¥2.00
$0.29 ¥2.00
$0.44 ¥3.01
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.04 ¥116
$8.53 ¥58.2
$17.04 ¥116
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ¥9.68
$1.33 ¥9.05
$1.71 ¥11.63
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 ¥2.25
$0.26 ¥1.79
$0.40 ¥2.71
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.72 ¥45.84
$4.21 ¥28.69
$8.41 ¥57.4
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 ¥7.94
$1.05 ¥7.18
$1.24 ¥8.49
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K ¥132.9K
$17.9K ¥122.3K
$21.0K ¥143.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.6K ¥113.3K
$15.2K ¥103.8K
$20.8K ¥141.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$46.39 ¥316
$32.62 ¥222
$86.6 ¥591
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.74 ¥66.5
$4.84 ¥33.03
$17.72 ¥121
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.69 ¥79.7
$7.04 ¥47.99
$21.12 ¥144
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.08 ¥287
$15.43 ¥105
$70.1 ¥478
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.11 ¥96.2
$4.23 ¥28.87
$14.11 ¥96.2
Cinema Ticket
$6.32 ¥43.10
$5.33 ¥36.37
$8.43 ¥57.5
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$330 ¥2,252
$205 ¥1,399
$821 ¥5,597
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K ¥114.9K
$8,306 ¥56.6K
$31.0K ¥211.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.02 ¥293
$20.68 ¥141
$92.2 ¥629
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.18 ¥206
$13.80 ¥94.1
$55.2 ¥376
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.5 ¥494
$42.31 ¥289
$113 ¥769
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.2 ¥506
$41.75 ¥285
$139 ¥949
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$284 ¥1,936
$213 ¥1,452
$305 ¥2,081
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$187 ¥1,272
$138 ¥944
$249 ¥1,700
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$586 ¥4,000
$483 ¥3,294
$724 ¥4,941
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$355 ¥2,420
$274 ¥1,871
$411 ¥2,806
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,772 ¥18.9K
$2,266 ¥15.5K
$3,885 ¥26.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,881 ¥12.8K
$1,414 ¥9,646
$2,689 ¥18.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.87
3.1
5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $194 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $21.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $17.04 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Local beer is cheaper than 92% of cities in Asia

Local beer is cheaper than 91% of cities in Asia

Beihai Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Mbps
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Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Beihai - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Beihai overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other coastal cities?
Beihai tends to offer a balance between coastal lifestyle and practical expenses. For travelers, expats seeking a slower pace may find rents and everyday goods gentler on the wallet than megacities, especially outside peak tourist seasons. Cost of Living in Beihai, China tends to reflect a mix of modern conveniences and regional pricing, with cheaper groceries, reasonable dining, and affordable street food options. You’ll notice that utilities and internet can be consistent, while imported goods carry a premium. Neighborhoods near the coast offer more convenient access to amenities, while inland zones can be quieter and cheaper. Tip: Use seasonal markets and public transport to stretch your budget.
What are practical tips for daily life in Beihai, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Finding a place to live in Beihai means weighing proximity to the beachfront, markets, and transit links. Start by checking mid-range apartments in popular neighborhoods for walkability rather than luxury towers. When dining, mix casual bowls and street eats with occasional cafe breakfasts to manage daily costs, and shop at local markets for produce that fits weekly meal plans. For transport, consider a mix of buses, shared bikes, and walking; many places are compact and easy to navigate on foot. Be mindful of rental contracts, utilities, and internet speeds for work. Beihai, China living cost varies by area and season, but planning around off-peak months helps. Tip: Build a simple budget template to track recurring expenses.
What lifestyle fit and budgeting approach work best for long stays in Beihai, and how do seasons affect daily routines and costs?
Quality of life in Beihai blends coastal leisure with a practical pace for work and play. To budget effectively, group your costs into essentials (shelter, utilities, groceries), discretionary (eats, outings, hobbies), and savings or buffers for travel. Seasonality matters: you might find more activity and prices in peak months, while shoulder seasons feel calmer and more affordable for housing hunts. Neighborhood fit depends on your rhythm – older mint-green apartment blocks near markets suit local life; newer developments near bays appeal to expats seeking amenities. Practical tips include negotiating longer leases, using local SIM data plans, and choosing shared workspaces during off-peak hours. Tip: Create a weekly routine that aligns errands, workouts, and social spots to maximize time and minimize transport.
What is the average cost of living in Beihai in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Beihai should plan on about $698 per month with rent, or $406 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Beihai expensive to live in?
By most standards, Beihai is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $698, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Beihai?
You'll want at least $1,047 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Beihai. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
Is rent high in Beihai?
Rent is one of Beihai's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $187 to $284 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is food expensive in Beihai?
Food in Beihai is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $194 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
How much is public transport in Beihai?
Getting around Beihai by public transport costs about $17.04 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can you live on $2,000 a month in Beihai?
$2,000 a month in Beihai? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $698, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
How affordable is Beihai?
Beihai is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $698 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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