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Cost of Living in Chiayi - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $882 (excluding rent), and $1,141 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,744 (excluding rent), and $2,794 including rent.
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.60 NT$209
$3.96 NT$125
$11.55 NT$365
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.64 NT$1,284
$20.32 NT$642
$84.7 NT$2,674
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.71 NT$180
$5.04 NT$159
$6.72 NT$212
Cappuccino
$2.21 NT$69.8
$1.70 NT$53.6
$6.81 NT$215
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12 NT$35.24
$0.82 NT$26.05
$2.63 NT$83.1
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 NT$23.14
$0.52 NT$16.44
$1.47 NT$46.29
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.83 NT$57.7
$1.56 NT$49.35
$6.00 NT$189
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 NT$94.9
$2.00 NT$63.2
$8.35 NT$264
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$3.27 NT$103
$2.79 NT$88.0
$3.83 NT$121
White Bread (500g)
$1.89 NT$59.7
$1.29 NT$40.80
$2.99 NT$94.3
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.06 NT$96.7
$1.67 NT$52.7
$5.69 NT$180
Eggs
$2.87 NT$90.7
$1.87 NT$59.0
$3.68 NT$116
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.29 NT$641
$11.99 NT$379
$34.25 NT$1,082
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.70 NT$306
$3.98 NT$126
$13.25 NT$419
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.23 NT$639
$10.14 NT$320
$33.78 NT$1,067
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 NT$164
$2.04 NT$64.4
$8.51 NT$269
Banana (1kg)
$2.90 NT$91.7
$1.35 NT$42.55
$5.03 NT$159
Oranges (1kg)
$2.89 NT$91.3
$1.39 NT$43.87
$4.16 NT$131
Tomato (1kg)
$4.29 NT$135
$1.52 NT$47.95
$10.36 NT$327
Potato (1kg)
$2.91 NT$91.8
$1.03 NT$32.51
$4.04 NT$128
Onion (1kg)
$2.24 NT$70.8
$0.85 NT$26.98
$3.41 NT$108
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.96 NT$62.0
$1.04 NT$32.75
$4.82 NT$152
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 NT$43.23
$0.86 NT$27.22
$2.06 NT$65.0
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02 NT$127
$3.69 NT$116
$5.02 NT$159
Wine (Bottle)
$4.81 NT$152
$4.81 NT$152
$22.44 NT$709
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73 NT$54.6
$1.42 NT$44.79
$2.24 NT$70.9
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 NT$73.4
$1.33 NT$41.97
$3.98 NT$126
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.81 NT$25.55
$0.58 NT$18.33
$0.97 NT$30.66
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.07 NT$1,234
$24.63 NT$778
$42.12 NT$1,330
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.94 NT$92.8
$2.76 NT$87.3
$4.15 NT$131
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 NT$14.23
$0.45 NT$14.23
$0.95 NT$30.12
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.03 NT$317
$8.35 NT$264
$16.70 NT$527
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 NT$31.28
$0.99 NT$31.28
$1.13 NT$35.61
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.8K NT$1.2M
$31.9K NT$1.0M
$40.3K NT$1.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.8K NT$878.6K
$25.7K NT$810.8K
$30.8K NT$973.0K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.6 NT$2,230
$49.84 NT$1,574
$141 NT$4,459
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.00 NT$600
$13.61 NT$430
$30.66 NT$968
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.46 NT$773
$13.28 NT$419
$33.21 NT$1,049
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.52 NT$1,185
$27.29 NT$862
$43.93 NT$1,387
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.04 NT$475
$6.73 NT$212
$15.04 NT$475
Cinema Ticket
$11.81 NT$373
$10.13 NT$320
$14.17 NT$448
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$643 NT$20.3K
$412 NT$13.0K
$1,029 NT$32.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.0K NT$599.9K
$6,532 NT$206.3K
$34.4K NT$1.1M
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3 NT$1,841
$26.96 NT$852
$108 NT$3,406
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.69 NT$1,064
$17.07 NT$539
$51.2 NT$1,618
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.7 NT$2,989
$68.8 NT$2,171
$120 NT$3,800
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120 NT$3,802
$66.6 NT$2,104
$167 NT$5,260
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$437 NT$13.8K
$291 NT$9,200
$634 NT$20.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$291 NT$9,202
$206 NT$6,496
$514 NT$16.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,041 NT$32.9K
$782 NT$24.7K
$1,360 NT$42.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$721 NT$22.8K
$403 NT$12.7K
$941 NT$29.7K
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,118 NT$66.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.19
1.5
3

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Chiayi Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
88
Mbps
Upload
14
Mbps
Latency
31
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
209
Mbps
Upload
149
Mbps
Latency
8
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 Chiayi - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiayi a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with Taiwanโ€™s bigger cities?
Chiayi offers a balanced vibe: lower daily costs than Taipei or Taichung, with easy access to modern amenities, parks, and a relaxed pace. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, you can sustain a comfortable routine without stretching a budget too thin. The Cost of Living in Chiayi tends to feel approachable, especially when you choose neighborhoods just outside the city core with solid transit links. Shopping at markets and cooking at home lengthens your budget, while occasional meals out and nature trips add variety. Tip: start with a short term stay in a neighborhood you are curious about to test daily life before committing longer term.
What does daily life look like in Chiayi for housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Chiayi blends accessible housing options, local markets, and a compact city feel. Pantry staples come from night markets and fresh markets, with affordable produce and diverse eating out options. For housing, look beyond the core train station area to quieter neighborhoods with easier leases and more space. Public transport includes buses and a reliable rail link to Taiwanโ€™s coast and mountains; biking and walking are practical for short trips. Co-working spaces are common near university areas, plus cafe work zones. Chiayi living cost remains manageable for a mixed routine, especially if you prioritize longer term leases. Tip: set a weekly errand loop to cut trips and save time.
How would you assess quality of life, budgeting strategies, seasonality, and neighborhood fit in Chiayi?
Quality of life in Chiayi often comes from a mix of accessibility, culture, and nature. To budget effectively, group expenses into housing, food, transport, and activities, then set a flexible monthly plan that adapts to seasonal markets and festival crowds. Neighborhood fit matters: if you want a quieter residential vibe, look around older districts with tree-lined streets; if you want nightlife or student energy, near universities or main thoroughfares suits you. Seasonal pacing affects crowds at markets and attractions; shoulder seasons can offer calmer days and deals on accommodations. Tip: use a simple three-tier approach โ€“ essential, comfortable, and splurge โ€“ to guide choices as you explore the city.
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