🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $562 in Anshan versus $908 in Hangzhou.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $883 in Anshan versus $1,462 in Hangzhou.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,205 in Anshan versus $2,017 in Hangzhou.
🙂Living in Anshan costs roughly 38% less than in Hangzhou, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Anshan58% lower, Hangzhou32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.55¥23.99
$3.50¥23.66
1.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.30¥117
$26.22¥177
-34.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.27¥28.85
$4.91¥33.20
-13.03%
Cappuccino
$2.81¥19.00
$3.39¥22.94
-17.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32¥2.20
$0.48¥3.26
-33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22¥1.49
$0.29¥1.98
-24.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.68¥4.57
$1.10¥7.43
-38.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55¥10.51
$1.63¥11.01
-4.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59¥10.76
$1.98¥13.40
-19.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.15¥7.79
$1.97¥13.31
-41.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.37¥2.48
$0.99¥6.72
-62.63%
Eggs
$2.03¥13.70
$1.81¥12.25
12.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.23¥55.6
$16.80¥114
-51.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.62¥10.98
$2.58¥17.46
-37.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.24¥55.7
$9.63¥65.1
-14.43%
Apples(1kg)
$0.98¥6.65
$2.04¥13.81
-51.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10¥7.44
$1.79¥12.11
-38.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08¥7.32
$1.60¥10.79
-32.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.85
$1.20¥8.11
-40.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.27¥1.82
$0.72¥4.85
-62.50%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77¥5.21
$1.00¥6.76
-23.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.60¥4.03
$0.63¥4.25
-4.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43¥2.94
$0.53¥3.62
-18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.51¥23.71
$4.27¥28.87
-17.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.40¥77.1
$13.56¥91.7
-15.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67¥4.52
$0.69¥4.66
-2.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36¥9.23
$1.70¥11.47
-20.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27¥1.82
$0.51¥3.43
-47.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.69¥113
$15.03¥102
11.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.93¥6.26
$1.77¥11.96
-47.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33¥2.22
$0.42¥2.85
-21.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.99¥26.96
$6.45¥43.60
-38.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03¥6.95
$1.14¥7.71
-9.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1K¥122.2K
$19.5K¥131.6K
-7.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.9K¥93.7K
$16.7K¥113.3K
-17.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.67¥187
$45.27¥306
-38.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.90¥46.67
$11.28¥76.3
-38.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.30¥76.4
$18.42¥125
-38.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.61¥187
$60.0¥406
-54.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.69¥92.6
$15.86¥107
-13.68%
Cinema Ticket
$5.69¥38.47
$6.42¥43.43
-11.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$207¥1,402
$456¥3,083
-54.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,333¥63.1K
$28.5K¥192.9K
-67.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.30¥232
$56.2¥380
-38.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.89¥236
$34.96¥236
-0.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9¥574
$72.1¥488
17.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.0¥467
$93.3¥631
-26.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$139¥940
$523¥3,540
-73.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$114¥768
$301¥2,035
-62.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275¥1,857
$1,118¥7,557
-75.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$205¥1,389
$685¥4,631
-70.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,785¥18.8K
$7,767¥52.5K
-64.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,790¥12.1K
$3,765¥25.5K
-52.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Anshan
Hangzhou
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$940¥6,359
$1,470¥9,942
-36.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
3.83
-47.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Anshan: May 31, 2026
Last update for Hangzhou: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $139 in Anshan and $523 in Hangzhou. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hangzhou pays 56% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $17.00 in Anshan vs $26.00 in Hangzhou for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $153 vs $223 per month, with Anshan cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Anshan vs Hangzhou: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hangzhou cheaper than Anshan?
Anshan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 62% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Anshan or Hangzhou?
On paper, Hangzhou earns 56% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Anshan and Hangzhou?
Rent for a central apartment: $139 in Anshan versus $523 in Hangzhou. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Anshan or Hangzhou?
Dining out is cheaper in Anshan – a meal for two runs $17.00 versus $26.00 in Hangzhou. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Anshan vs Hangzhou?
All in, you'll spend $562 per month in Anshan versus $908 in Hangzhou – a 62% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Anshan or Hangzhou?
At $562 in Anshan versus $908 in Hangzhou, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Anshan but tight or insufficient in Hangzhou. The gap between the two cities makes Anshan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Anshan or Hangzhou?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Anshan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Hangzhou. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.