πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,058 in Beijing (Pekin) versus $648 in Baoji.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,769 in Beijing (Pekin) versus $1,007 in Baoji.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,481 in Beijing (Pekin) versus $1,365 in Baoji.
πLiving in Beijing (Pekin) is roughly 63% more expensive than Baoji, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Beijing (Pekin)21% lower, Baoji52% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21Β₯28.47
$2.75Β₯18.58
53.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.89Β₯189
$10.86Β₯73.5
156.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.41Β₯36.61
$4.58Β₯30.94
18.12%
Cappuccino
$3.10Β₯20.99
$2.44Β₯16.52
27.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43Β₯2.88
$0.39Β₯2.64
10.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Β₯1.89
$0.28Β₯1.90
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.10Β₯7.41
$0.82Β₯5.54
34.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12Β₯14.32
$1.72Β₯11.61
23.26%
π Groceries & Markets
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65Β₯11.18
$1.16Β₯7.86
42.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.58Β₯10.65
$1.60Β₯10.84
-1.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.07Β₯7.25
$0.71Β₯4.80
50.70%
Eggs
$1.72Β₯11.61
$1.62Β₯10.92
6.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.52Β₯105
$7.02Β₯47.44
121.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17Β₯21.43
$2.06Β₯13.95
53.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.83Β₯66.5
$8.82Β₯59.6
11.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.15Β₯14.57
$1.08Β₯7.32
99.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60Β₯10.81
$1.11Β₯7.47
44.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73Β₯11.68
$0.83Β₯5.61
108.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.33Β₯8.96
$0.68Β₯4.60
95.59%
Potato(1kg)
$0.79Β₯5.32
$0.64Β₯4.35
23.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98Β₯6.66
$0.54Β₯3.66
81.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68Β₯4.58
$0.48Β₯3.23
41.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52Β₯3.54
$0.52Β₯3.53
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.56Β₯24.04
$2.74Β₯18.55
29.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.73Β₯99.6
$7.60Β₯51.4
93.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86Β₯5.78
$0.57Β₯3.86
50.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81Β₯12.25
$1.71Β₯11.55
5.85%
π Getting Around
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.54Β₯3.67
$0.27Β₯1.82
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.60Β₯214
$16.79Β₯114
88.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.86Β₯12.55
$0.73Β₯4.95
154.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Β₯2.37
$0.23Β₯1.56
52.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.64Β₯71.9
$2.87Β₯19.42
270.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09Β₯7.38
$1.16Β₯7.86
-6.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5KΒ₯124.9K
$18.7KΒ₯126.2K
-0.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.7KΒ₯106.3K
$16.1KΒ₯108.7K
-2.22%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.2Β₯347
$45.25Β₯306
13.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.60Β₯58.2
$6.03Β₯40.76
42.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.76Β₯86.3
$11.69Β₯79.0
9.15%
π Sport & Entertainment
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.99Β₯338
$42.36Β₯286
18.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.99Β₯122
$14.08Β₯95.2
27.77%
Cinema Ticket
$8.15Β₯55.1
$4.74Β₯32.04
71.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$661Β₯4,471
$192Β₯1,298
244.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.5KΒ₯158.6K
$8,294Β₯56.1K
182.77%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3Β₯421
$49.30Β₯333
26.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.85Β₯236
$37.74Β₯255
-7.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.6Β₯525
$61.7Β₯417
25.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102Β₯687
$68.6Β₯464
48.18%
π Accommodation & Living
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$913Β₯6,171
$274Β₯1,850
233.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453Β₯3,066
$189Β₯1,277
140.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,972Β₯13.3K
$594Β₯4,019
231.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,083Β₯7,325
$355Β₯2,398
205.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$12.7KΒ₯85.8K
$3,015Β₯20.4K
320.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,152Β₯41.6K
$1,888Β₯12.8K
225.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Beijing (Pekin)
Baoji
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,556Β₯10.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.64
4.32
-15.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Beijing (Pekin): June 7, 2026
Last update for Baoji: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $913 in Beijing (Pekin) and $274 in Baoji. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $28.00 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $11.00 in Baoji for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $220 vs $146 per month, with Baoji 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
Beijing (Pekin) vs Baoji: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baoji cheaper than Beijing (Pekin)?
Baoji is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 63% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,587 in Beijing (Pekin) and $972 in Baoji to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Beijing (Pekin) and Baoji?
Rent for a central apartment: $913 in Beijing (Pekin) versus $274 in Baoji. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Baoji runs roughly 88% less than in Beijing (Pekin). Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $661 in Beijing (Pekin) versus $192 in Baoji. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Beijing (Pekin) or Baoji?
At $648 in Baoji versus $1,058 in Beijing (Pekin), a $1,500 budget is realistic in Baoji but tight or insufficient in Beijing (Pekin). The gap between the two cities makes Baoji the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Beijing (Pekin) or Baoji?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β 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 Baoji gentler on the wallet β expenses run 63% less than in Beijing (Pekin). Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Beijing (Pekin) vs other spots: cost of living compared