Cost of Living in China - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: China
Address: CN

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $490 (excluding rent), and $791 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,178 (excluding rent), and $1,767 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 ¥19.51

$2.11 ¥14.61

$7.04 ¥48.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.62 ¥163

$15.29 ¥106

$48.63 ¥336

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.97 ¥34.35

$4.27 ¥29.49

$6.69 ¥46.20

Cappuccino

$3.14 ¥21.66

$1.43 ¥9.87

$5.01 ¥34.59

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ¥3.07

$0.40 ¥2.73

$1.64 ¥11.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 ¥1.84

$0.24 ¥1.64

$0.71 ¥4.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.93 ¥6.40

$0.67 ¥4.62

$2.67 ¥18.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 ¥14.37

$1.38 ¥9.55

$4.16 ¥28.73

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 ¥12.70

$1.41 ¥9.73

$2.85 ¥19.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ¥11.17

$0.82 ¥5.69

$3.41 ¥23.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.96 ¥6.62

$0.54 ¥3.73

$1.56 ¥10.77

Eggs

$1.56 ¥10.76

$0.82 ¥5.68

$2.46 ¥16.99

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.18 ¥91.1

$6.31 ¥43.58

$28.01 ¥194

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.21 ¥22.15

$1.49 ¥10.30

$5.43 ¥37.50

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.89 ¥75.3

$5.66 ¥39.14

$16.99 ¥117

Apples (1kg)

$1.77 ¥12.20

$0.69 ¥4.77

$2.75 ¥19.02

Banana (1kg)

$1.25 ¥8.64

$0.76 ¥5.24

$2.75 ¥18.97

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 ¥10.53

$0.58 ¥3.98

$3.29 ¥22.77

Tomato (1kg)

$1.15 ¥7.95

$0.55 ¥3.81

$1.92 ¥13.25

Potato (1kg)

$0.76 ¥5.28

$0.29 ¥2.00

$1.43 ¥9.91

Onion (1kg)

$0.89 ¥6.14

$0.41 ¥2.87

$1.65 ¥11.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.61 ¥4.24

$0.29 ¥2.01

$1.16 ¥7.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 ¥3.72

$0.35 ¥2.43

$0.82 ¥5.68

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.38 ¥23.33

$2.71 ¥18.70

$4.72 ¥32.65

Wine (Bottle)

$11.67 ¥80.6

$5.83 ¥40.27

$21.87 ¥151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 ¥5.39

$0.40 ¥2.79

$1.34 ¥9.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 ¥11.54

$0.99 ¥6.82

$2.84 ¥19.63

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 ¥2.98

$0.29 ¥1.99

$0.72 ¥4.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.93 ¥145

$12.55 ¥86.7

$41.86 ¥289

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ¥9.74

$1.13 ¥7.78

$2.26 ¥15.62

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.35 ¥2.44

$0.28 ¥1.94

$0.49 ¥3.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.48 ¥44.78

$4.05 ¥28.02

$10.81 ¥74.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 ¥8.04

$1.05 ¥7.27

$1.24 ¥8.60

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.3K ¥133.1K

$16.5K ¥114.1K

$20.6K ¥142.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$17.0K ¥117.4K

$14.0K ¥97.0K

$21.0K ¥145.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$51.3 ¥354

$29.73 ¥205

$92.5 ¥639

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.84 ¥68.0

$4.16 ¥28.72

$17.72 ¥122

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.49 ¥79.4

$7.07 ¥48.86

$21.22 ¥147

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.28 ¥278

$14.08 ¥97.3

$113 ¥778

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.78 ¥102

$6.95 ¥48.04

$27.82 ¥192

Cinema Ticket

$6.41 ¥44.30

$4.98 ¥34.41

$8.55 ¥59.1

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$403 ¥2,787

$205 ¥1,419

$1,264 ¥8,733

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.9K ¥123.5K

$8,491 ¥58.7K

$35.4K ¥244.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.91 ¥317

$18.08 ¥125

$97.4 ¥673

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.39 ¥224

$13.72 ¥94.8

$54.9 ¥379

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.2 ¥492

$41.36 ¥286

$110 ¥762

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ¥511

$41.75 ¥289

$139 ¥962

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$436 ¥3,013

$209 ¥1,441

$999 ¥6,901

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$254 ¥1,752

$138 ¥952

$557 ¥3,850

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$900 ¥6,219

$412 ¥2,844

$2,453 ¥17.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$548 ¥3,787

$283 ¥1,954

$1,208 ¥8,345

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,140 ¥35.5K

$2,159 ¥14.9K

$13.7K ¥94.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,676 ¥18.5K

$1,305 ¥9,018

$7,159 ¥49.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,024 ¥7,079

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.06

5.2

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

By City in China

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
101	Rizhao	1143000	37	$565	$731	$1,051	$1,625	301.83	352.31
102	Rui'an	213600	36	$468	$720	$1,161	$1,566	77.91	323.79
103	Sanya	1031396	38	$498	$769	$1,094	$1,592	34.62	124.54
104	Shanghai	24870895	60	$582	$1,219	$1,447	$2,756	63.07	177.62
105	Shantou	5389328	35	$434	$698	$1,308	$1,475	122.92	103.6
106	Shaoxing	4912239	34	$492	$688	$1,069	$1,500	45.44	295.94
107	Shenyang	9199601	34	$501	$657	$1,047	$1,483	39.49	281.88
108	Shenzhen	12528300	51	$550	$1,013	$1,331	$2,308	103.33	207.42
109	Shijiazhuang	11235086	32	$424	$656	$918	$1,248	25.86	391.06
110	Suzhou	12748262	49	$635	$963	$1,598	$2,204	62.81	328.84
111	Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu	831113	33	$445	$658	$1,178	$1,490	42.22	307.26
112	Taiyuan	3525300	31	$387	$632	$1,223	$1,364	28.22	298.91
113	Taizhou	615000	36	$536	$712	$1,315	$1,593	48.61	350.05
114	Tangshan	7717983	36	$474	$724	$1,126	$1,540	252.86	413.68
115	Tengzhou	1553200	36	$481	$728	$1,160	$1,581	104.46	401.94
116	Tianjin	13866009	40	$462	$780	$1,163	$1,691	28.89	314.45
117	Tieling	699675	36	$436	$722	$1,116	$1,572	36.98	521.58
118	Tonghua	446917	36	$499	$723	$1,128	$1,530	107.59	660.51
119	Urumqi	4054369	26	$325	$532	$797	$1,124	201.77	177.71
120	Weifang	9277200	29	$420	$565	$914	$1,177	180.63	357.87
121	Weihai	2804800	30	$448	$607	$1,131	$1,243	307.06	272.58
122	Wenling	329800	36	$487	$705	$1,136	$1,564	50.15	331.27
123	Wenzhou	9300000	32	$446	$627	$1,105	$1,500	47.88	354.25
124	Wuhan	12450000	40	$508	$818	$1,216	$1,616	64.49	223.09
125	Wuhu	3644420	37	$569	$744	$1,265	$1,658	171.05	293.24
126	Wuwei	1464955	36	$493	$702	$1,264	$1,547	131.73	186.35
127	Wuxi	7462135	38	$518	$736	$1,206	$1,641	106.88	218.18
128	Xi'an	12183280	35	$466	$707	$1,067	$1,485	37.61	243.22
129	Xiamen	3531000	39	$496	$791	$1,221	$1,738	39.38	215.77
130	Xiangtan	2748552	36	$475	$717	$1,124	$1,547	43.44	228.02
131	Xiangyang	5500307	36	$470	$723	$1,133	$1,576	30.14	313.24
132	Xianyang	1324612	31	$438	$611	$944	$1,352	171.39	336.57
133	Xining	2333700	36	$470	$701	$1,149	$1,580	93.78	258.31
134	Xinxiang	5707801	34	$449	$696	$1,008	$1,468	148.39	329.94
135	Xuzhou	9083790	29	$384	$593	$844	$1,252	15.82	269.61
136	Yancheng	7260240	36	$507	$703	$974	$1,534	71.64	352.02
137	Yangshuo	300000	36	$477	$715	$1,135	$1,555	243.65	60.44
138	Yangzhou	4559797	31	$436	$633	$1,072	$1,422	61.39	278.73
139	Yantai	1871000	37	$564	$743	$1,043	$1,576	151	433.51
140	Yichang	4059686	36	$476	$726	$1,145	$1,579	80.05	288.45
141	Yinchuan	2859074	35	$431	$712	$976	$1,553	77.7	379.37
142	Yiwu	1234015	36	$418	$725	$1,365	$1,983	114.76	328.36
143	Yulin	3700000	36	$413	$715	$1,256	$1,521	189.11	285.06
144	Yuncheng	5300000	33	$386	$663	$1,066	$1,418	17.69	370.29
145	Zaozhuang	2125000	36	$461	$699	$1,312	$1,545	128.61	290.92
146	Zhangjiagang	1432044	38	$480	$756	$1,245	$1,707	150.75	383.97
147	Zhangjiakou	4345491	37	$464	$717	$1,283	$1,599	218.2	323.95
148	Zhangzhou	4809983	36	$482	$713	$1,149	$1,562	145.32	83.53
149	Zhanjiang	1612000	36	$469	$717	$1,074	$1,553	32.04	112.76
150	Zhengzhou	12600574	36	$501	$717	$1,140	$1,521	124.62	200.5

China Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in China - Frequently Asked Questions

In China, affordability shifts by city, neighborhood, and lifestyle. The Cost of Living in China varies from ultramodern metropolises to quieter towns, so you’ll find both budget-friendly and premium options depending on where you stay. Expats and digital nomads often value housing with good transit links, nearby cafes or coworking spaces, and access to local markets for groceries. Food and transport tend to be efficient and affordable when you favor public transit and street-food-style meals over tourist hubs. Seasonal tourism can tweak prices for short-term stays, but flexibility and planning pay off. Tip: map your must-haves first, then test different areas to balance cost and daily comfort.

In big cities, housing options range from apartment-sharing to polished rentals, often with upfront deposits and negotiation windows; in smaller cities, searches can be quicker and rents more flexible. Daily life leans on local markets, convenience stores, and a robust dining scene, with regional flavors to explore. Transport is well-developed: metros, buses, and bikes are common; ride-hailing is convenient for longer trips. Co-working spaces vary from compact studios to larger hubs with amenities. Errands mix online apps and in-person trips; most payments move through digital wallets. China living cost trends downshift in secondary towns, but seasonality and event periods can shift you a notch. Tip: schedule a few exploratory days in different neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in China hinges on pace, access to everyday services, and the blend of city energy with nearby nature. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (housing, utilities) from flexible expenses (food, entertainment), and track irregulars by season. Neighborhood fit matters: prefer areas with walkability, good public transit, and a mix of cafes, markets, and parks. Seasonal patterns influence crowds, travel deals, and service availability, so factor holidays and climate when planning longer stays. Side tips: use local homestays or serviced apartments for longer trials and take advantage of coworking communities to network. Tip: choose a neighborhood that minimizes daily commutes and maximizes access to what you value most.