Cost of Living in Changsha - Updated Prices & Insights

37.3
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $547 (excluding rent), and $757 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,290 (excluding rent), and $1,673 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.83 ¥20.28
$2.54 ¥18.24
$4.23 ¥30.38
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.9 ¥150
$19.51 ¥140
$41.81 ¥300
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.74 ¥34.03
$3.39 ¥24.32
$4.74 ¥34.03
Cappuccino
$2.99 ¥21.48
$1.78 ¥12.76
$4.81 ¥34.52
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ¥3.27
$0.36 ¥2.6
$0.73 ¥5.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ¥1.94
$0.22 ¥1.57
$0.29 ¥2.09
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.14 ¥8.19
$0.86 ¥6.2
$1.43 ¥10.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83 ¥13.1
$1.62 ¥11.64
$2.17 ¥15.54
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 ¥13.81
$1.37 ¥9.85
$2.18 ¥15.65
White Bread (500g)
$2.28 ¥16.33
$1.38 ¥9.87
$3.04 ¥21.79
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 ¥6.15
$0.53 ¥3.82
$1.32 ¥9.49
Eggs
$1.67 ¥11.94
$0.69 ¥4.95
$2.55 ¥18.28
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.56 ¥112
$6.85 ¥49.11
$41.1 ¥295
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.17 ¥22.72
$1.68 ¥12.05
$4.2 ¥30.16
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.93 ¥64
$5.49 ¥39.4
$13.74 ¥98.6
Apples (1kg)
$1.83 ¥13.12
$0.68 ¥4.91
$4.09 ¥29.33
Banana (1kg)
$1.3 ¥9.31
$0.55 ¥3.98
$2.76 ¥19.82
Oranges (1kg)
$1.8 ¥12.91
$0.58 ¥4.13
$3.58 ¥25.67
Tomato (1kg)
$1.81 ¥13.02
$0.69 ¥4.93
$2.74 ¥19.63
Potato (1kg)
$0.89 ¥6.37
$0.27 ¥1.94
$1.61 ¥11.56
Onion (1kg)
$1.49 ¥10.68
$0.42 ¥2.99
$2.07 ¥14.88
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.47 ¥3.38
$0.27 ¥1.93
$0.93 ¥6.69
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43 ¥3.05
$0.29 ¥2.08
$0.51 ¥3.65
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.85 ¥20.45
$2.85 ¥20.45
$4.27 ¥30.64
Wine (Bottle)
$12.75 ¥91.5
$5.67 ¥40.66
$28.34 ¥203
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 ¥7
$0.29 ¥2.11
$1.46 ¥10.46
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 ¥10.09
$0.54 ¥3.9
$2.71 ¥19.42
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 ¥2.62
$0.26 ¥1.87
$0.58 ¥4.2
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.96 ¥100
$12.13 ¥87
$15.57 ¥112
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 ¥8.77
$1.09 ¥7.79
$1.77 ¥12.7
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 ¥2.01
$0.28 ¥2.01
$0.43 ¥3.05
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.23 ¥59.1
$4.12 ¥29.53
$8.23 ¥59.1
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 ¥8.02
$1.03 ¥7.4
$1.15 ¥8.23
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9K ¥149.6K
$19.7K ¥141.1K
$22K ¥158.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22K ¥157.6K
$16.9K ¥121.3K
$23.8K ¥170.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.65 ¥313
$27.95 ¥200
$59.4 ¥426
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.26 ¥88
$6.89 ¥49.42
$17.64 ¥127
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.58 ¥105
$13.89 ¥99.7
$16.67 ¥120
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57 ¥408
$10.95 ¥78.6
$109 ¥785
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.21 ¥159
$13.67 ¥98.1
$34.17 ¥245
Cinema Ticket
$5.85 ¥41.99
$4.82 ¥34.55
$11.02 ¥79
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$323 ¥2,317
$283 ¥2,033
$354 ¥2,541
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,354 ¥52.8K
$4,857 ¥34.8K
$11.7K ¥83.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83 ¥596
$27.35 ¥196
$123 ¥882
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.59 ¥219
$20.61 ¥148
$55.3 ¥397
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.2 ¥583
$48.22 ¥346
$165 ¥1,186
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.3 ¥497
$33.27 ¥239
$139 ¥994
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$206 ¥1,480
$195 ¥1,400
$558 ¥3,999
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$169 ¥1,211
$111 ¥794
$263 ¥1,886
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$509 ¥3,650
$413 ¥2,960
$1,169 ¥8,386
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$360 ¥2,584
$280 ¥2,007
$769 ¥5,518
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,118 ¥15.2K
$1,649 ¥11.8K
$2,748 ¥19.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,858 ¥27.7K
$1,277 ¥9,160
$6,953 ¥49.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$715 ¥5,127
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.89
3
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Changsha - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Changsha affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it stack up against bigger Chinese cities?
Changsha offers a value-forward mix of modern amenities, accessible housing, and abundant daily conveniences. You’ll find a range of neighborhoods that fit different budgets, from lively university districts to calmer riverside areas. When you compare to megacities, Cost of Living in Changsha, China tends to be more moderate, with strong public transport and a vibrant street-food scene that keeps daily meals inexpensive without sacrificing variety. Shopping, services, and entertainment tend to be reasonably priced for a city of this size. Tip: Start with a neighborhood tour to gauge pace, noise, and local vibe before settling in.
What does daily life look like in Changsha for housing, food, transport, and a place to work?
Daily life in Changsha balances convenience with a rich local scene. For housing, look in university districts such as Kaifu or Yuelu for affordable options and good transit access to the core. Food ranges from lively night markets to modern grocery stores with wide choice; cooking at home or grabbing quick local meals keeps options flexible. Getting around is easy with the metro network, reliable buses, and growing bike-sharing. Co-working spaces suit remote work with flexible passes. Changsha living cost shifts with seasonality and your housing, food, and transport choices. Tip: map a few neighborhoods for pace, noise, and community before choosing a base.
What quality of life considerations matter for long stays in Changsha, and how can you budget to stay comfortable year-round?
Quality of life in Changsha blends lively culture, green spaces, and efficient basics. For a good fit, weigh neighborhoods by pace, access to parks along the Xiang River, and proximity to coworking hubs or universities. Seasonal changes affect comfort and energy use, so plan for cooling in summer and warmth in shoulder seasons. A simple budgeting framework is to track core expenses (housing, food, transit) and leave room for occasional dining and weekend explorations. Make a list of nearby markets, hospitals, and language-friendly services to reduce friction. Tip: visit a few blocks at different times of day to sense safety, crowding, and community vibe.
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