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Cost of Living in Chengdu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $466 (excluding rent), and $681 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,114 (excluding rent), and $1,516 including rent.
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.85 ยฅ19.92
$2.14 ยฅ14.92
$7.12 ยฅ49.69
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.68 ยฅ165
$16.72 ยฅ117
$41.81 ยฅ292
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.78 ยฅ33.39
$4.11 ยฅ28.66
$5.20 ยฅ36.27
Cappuccino
$2.86 ยฅ19.97
$1.98 ยฅ13.81
$4.67 ยฅ32.57
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 ยฅ3.02
$0.40 ยฅ2.82
$0.67 ยฅ4.70
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ยฅ2.11
$0.29 ยฅ2.04
$0.44 ยฅ3.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.14 ยฅ7.95
$0.72 ยฅ5.01
$1.71 ยฅ11.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 ยฅ14.99
$1.72 ยฅ11.98
$3.58 ยฅ24.96
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 ยฅ12.28
$1.37 ยฅ9.59
$2.76 ยฅ19.25
White Bread (500g)
$1.45 ยฅ10.15
$0.71 ยฅ4.97
$2.70 ยฅ18.81
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.90 ยฅ6.29
$0.71 ยฅ4.94
$1.12 ยฅ7.84
Eggs
$1.87 ยฅ13.08
$1.15 ยฅ8.03
$3.31 ยฅ23.12
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.71 ยฅ95.7
$8.39 ยฅ58.6
$22.36 ยฅ156
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.65 ยฅ25.48
$2.56 ยฅ17.87
$7.95 ยฅ55.5
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.15 ยฅ77.8
$6.87 ยฅ47.96
$16.50 ยฅ115
Apples (1kg)
$1.86 ยฅ12.97
$0.69 ยฅ4.80
$2.47 ยฅ17.23
Banana (1kg)
$1.23 ยฅ8.55
$0.71 ยฅ4.99
$2.56 ยฅ17.89
Oranges (1kg)
$1.52 ยฅ10.62
$0.72 ยฅ5.02
$2.87 ยฅ20.03
Tomato (1kg)
$1.02 ยฅ7.15
$0.61 ยฅ4.29
$1.36 ยฅ9.46
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 ยฅ4.66
$0.27 ยฅ1.92
$0.82 ยฅ5.75
Onion (1kg)
$0.71 ยฅ4.94
$0.54 ยฅ3.79
$1.08 ยฅ7.51
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 ยฅ4.24
$0.22 ยฅ1.54
$0.73 ยฅ5.12
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60 ยฅ4.20
$0.43 ยฅ2.99
$0.71 ยฅ4.98
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.43 ยฅ23.95
$2.87 ยฅ20.01
$3.72 ยฅ25.96
Wine (Bottle)
$7.29 ยฅ50.9
$2.33 ยฅ16.25
$15.75 ยฅ110
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93 ยฅ6.49
$0.54 ยฅ3.75
$1.52 ยฅ10.64
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81 ยฅ12.66
$1.10 ยฅ7.68
$2.76 ยฅ19.29
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 ยฅ2.79
$0.27 ยฅ1.86
$0.53 ยฅ3.72
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.33 ยฅ191
$20.50 ยฅ143
$41.59 ยฅ290
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 ยฅ8.55
$1.09 ยฅ7.59
$1.36 ยฅ9.51
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 ยฅ1.97
$0.26 ยฅ1.82
$0.45 ยฅ3.14
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.29 ยฅ29.93
$3.43 ยฅ23.92
$5.14 ยฅ35.87
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 ยฅ7.85
$1.09 ยฅ7.58
$1.15 ยฅ8.06
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4K ยฅ128.7K
$17.8K ยฅ123.9K
$20.3K ยฅ141.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.6K ยฅ115.5K
$16.5K ยฅ115.0K
$18.3K ยฅ128.0K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$44.46 ยฅ310
$34.82 ยฅ243
$92.1 ยฅ643
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.65 ยฅ81.3
$6.97 ยฅ48.67
$27.90 ยฅ195
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.49 ยฅ80.2
$6.92 ยฅ48.29
$17.71 ยฅ124
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.50 ยฅ171
$11.79 ยฅ82.3
$113 ยฅ790
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.27 ยฅ78.7
$8.28 ยฅ57.8
$20.70 ยฅ145
Cinema Ticket
$5.58 ยฅ38.96
$4.88 ยฅ34.07
$6.97 ยฅ48.68
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$339 ยฅ2,364
$168 ยฅ1,175
$603 ยฅ4,210
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K ยฅ86.0K
$5,582 ยฅ39.0K
$20.9K ยฅ146.1K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.09 ยฅ259
$13.88 ยฅ96.9
$69.4 ยฅ484
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.29 ยฅ267
$13.82 ยฅ96.5
$69.1 ยฅ482
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.6 ยฅ458
$41.26 ยฅ288
$110 ยฅ768
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.5 ยฅ353
$41.80 ยฅ292
$69.7 ยฅ486
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$316 ยฅ2,207
$210 ยฅ1,469
$421 ยฅ2,938
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$179 ยฅ1,251
$109 ยฅ763
$246 ยฅ1,718
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$611 ยฅ4,263
$483 ยฅ3,374
$939 ยฅ6,554
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$334 ยฅ2,329
$255 ยฅ1,779
$496 ยฅ3,459
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,998 ยฅ27.9K
$3,199 ยฅ22.3K
$5,089 ยฅ35.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,015 ยฅ14.1K
$1,410 ยฅ9,838
$2,819 ยฅ19.7K
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,110 ยฅ7,744
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.21
3.5
5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Chengdu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
32
Mbps
Upload
10
Mbps
Latency
81
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
101
Mbps
Upload
43
Mbps
Latency
98
ms
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 Chengdu - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Chengdu overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value?
Cost of Living in Chengdu, China is favorable relative to bigger metro areas, with housing options ranging from practical apartments to modern flats, and a street-food scene that delivers great value. Public transit is affordable and convenient, internet is reliable, and many neighborhoods offer a good mix of quiet spots and cafes for work. Youโ€™ll find plenty of free or low-cost leisure options โ€“ from parks to riverside walks โ€“ that fit a modest budget. This balance makes Chengdu appealing for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want comfort without the premium. Tip: start with a short stay in a few neighborhoods to gauge fit.
What does daily life look like in Chengdu for housing search, food options, transport, and co-working?
Housing search typically involves a mix of landlords and agents; you can find older blocks in traditional neighborhoods and newer towers in central districts. For daily meals, the city offers cheap, flavorful options from street vendors to modern eateries; groceries range from markets to supermarkets. Transportation is practical with a growing metro network, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing. For work, many co-working spaces offer short-term passes and reliable Wiโ€‘Fi. Chengdu living cost can vary by neighborhood, so align choice with your pace and workflow. Tip: visit potential areas at different times to gauge noise, crowds, and convenience.
Whatโ€™s your approach to budgeting and lifestyle choices for long stays, and how do you assess neighborhoods for fit?
Focus on a practical budgeting framework that separates housing, food, transport, and occasional outings, then track weekly spend and set a flexible buffer for season-specific needs. In Chengdu, neighborhood fit matters: choose areas that match your work tempo โ€“ quiet residential blocks for deep focus or lively lanes for social life. Save by cooking at home with fresh produce, using public transit, and taking advantage of free cultural events and parks. Seasonality influences comfort: summers can be hot and humid, winters mild, so plan clothing and errands accordingly. Tip: test a neighborhood for a few weeks before committing to a longer lease.
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