🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $770 in Changsha versus $847 in Osasco.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,221 in Changsha versus $1,325 in Osasco.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,673 in Changsha versus $1,803 in Osasco.
🙂Living in Changsha costs roughly 9% less than in Osasco, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Changsha43% lower, Osasco37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87¥19.63
$6.37R$31.80
-54.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.69¥142
$32.25R$161
-35.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.91¥33.62
$7.23R$36.06
-32.09%
Cappuccino
$2.96¥20.26
$1.88R$9.37
57.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46¥3.16
$1.20R$6.01
-61.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25¥1.71
$0.88R$4.39
-71.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.09¥7.45
$1.79R$8.92
-39.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86¥12.74
$3.20R$15.99
-41.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93¥13.25
$1.06R$5.28
82.08%
White Bread(500g)
$2.24¥15.35
$1.64R$8.18
36.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.91¥6.25
$1.29R$6.45
-29.46%
Eggs
$1.61¥11.06
$2.35R$11.73
-31.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.92¥109
$8.72R$43.52
82.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.20¥21.94
$3.90R$19.46
-17.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89¥60.9
$8.43R$42.06
5.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.84¥12.61
$2.26R$11.27
-18.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34¥9.16
$1.81R$9.05
-25.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.78¥12.19
$1.41R$7.05
26.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.82¥12.43
$1.60R$7.98
13.75%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89¥6.07
$1.25R$6.24
-28.80%
Onion(1kg)
$1.46¥9.98
$1.30R$6.50
12.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48¥3.26
$0.94R$4.67
-48.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40¥2.73
$0.74R$3.69
-45.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.83¥19.38
$2.55R$12.72
10.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37¥84.8
$9.83R$49.06
25.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89¥6.09
$1.37R$6.83
-35.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43¥9.83
$3.01R$15.03
-52.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37¥2.50
$0.87R$4.34
-57.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.21¥97.3
$47.65R$238
-70.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24¥8.49
$1.00R$5.01
24.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26¥1.78
$0.75R$3.76
-65.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.13¥55.7
$9.29R$46.37
-12.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18¥8.10
$1.05R$5.26
12.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K¥142.1K
$21.8KR$108.9K
-4.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9K¥149.9K
$28.2KR$140.7K
-22.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$42.83¥293
$55.2R$275
-22.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.61¥86.4
$13.29R$66.3
-5.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.52¥99.5
$18.61R$92.9
-21.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.1¥391
$22.27R$111
156.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.08¥158
$21.70R$108
6.36%
Cinema Ticket
$5.95¥40.75
$8.16R$40.71
-27.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$313¥2,144
$310R$1,548
0.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,239¥49.6K
$6,839R$34.1K
5.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7¥580
$50.9R$254
66.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.31¥214
$42.07R$210
-25.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.1¥563
$84.5R$422
-2.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.3¥475
$70.9R$354
-2.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$208¥1,424
$339R$1,691
-38.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$171¥1,170
$253R$1,260
-32.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506¥3,463
$548R$2,737
-7.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$366¥2,504
$350R$1,749
4.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,503¥17.1K
$1,763R$8,799
41.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,325¥9,073
$1,570R$7,837
-15.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Changsha
Osasco
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,094¥7,496
$461R$2,298
137.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.89
10.92
-64.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Changsha: April 25, 2026
Last update for Osasco: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $208 in Changsha and $339 in Osasco. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Changsha pays 138% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Changsha vs $32.00 in Osasco. Groceries flip the comparison at $220 vs $200, with Osasco cheaper for home cooking.
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
Changsha vs Osasco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Changsha and Osasco?
Changsha and Osasco differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($770 vs $847 including rent). Changsha is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Changsha or Osasco?
Changsha pays 138% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Changsha and Osasco?
Rent for a central apartment: $208 in Changsha versus $339 in Osasco. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Changsha – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $32.00 in Osasco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Changsha or Osasco?
All in, you'll spend $770 per month in Changsha versus $847 in Osasco – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Changsha vs Osasco?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Changsha gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Changsha and Osasco?
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.
Where should expats move: Changsha or Osasco?
Expats usually find Changsha gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Osasco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.