Cost of Living Comparison Between Chengdu and BauruCost of Living Comparison Between Chengdu and Bauru
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $760 in Chengdu versus $807 in Bauru.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,228 in Chengdu versus $1,237 in Bauru.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,695 in Chengdu versus $1,666 in Bauru.
🌍Living in Chengdu costs roughly 6% less than in Bauru, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chengdu45% lower, Bauru41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.91¥19.50
$4.87R$24.95
-40.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.30¥136
$26.10R$134
-22.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.19¥34.76
$7.31R$37.48
-29.00%
Cappuccino
$2.86¥19.14
$1.56R$8.00
83.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51¥3.38
$0.87R$4.48
-41.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28¥1.88
$0.56R$2.85
-50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.52¥10.18
$1.52R$7.79
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41¥16.16
$2.58R$13.21
-6.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75¥11.70
$0.90R$4.64
94.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.65¥11.05
$1.43R$7.34
15.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89¥5.97
$1.20R$6.14
-25.83%
Eggs
$1.61¥10.79
$2.48R$12.72
-35.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.44¥96.7
$7.55R$38.69
91.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.51¥23.50
$4.24R$21.72
-17.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.15¥74.7
$6.18R$31.66
80.42%
Apples(1kg)
$1.87¥12.50
$2.03R$10.40
-7.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.26¥8.47
$1.37R$7.04
-8.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.12¥7.48
$1.25R$6.39
-10.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21¥8.10
$1.73R$8.88
-30.06%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74¥4.97
$1.41R$7.23
-47.52%
Onion(1kg)
$0.74¥4.98
$1.21R$6.20
-38.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70¥4.68
$1.36R$6.96
-48.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54¥3.65
$1.02R$5.23
-47.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.68¥24.66
$2.38R$12.22
54.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.47¥36.65
$6.76R$34.68
-19.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.82¥5.52
$1.16R$5.92
-29.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51¥10.10
$2.29R$11.75
-34.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.46¥3.11
$0.97R$4.95
-52.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.62¥165
$28.84R$148
-14.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36¥9.10
$1.88R$9.63
-27.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31¥2.08
$1.25R$6.39
-75.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.49¥30.10
$4.01R$20.56
11.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22¥8.16
$1.12R$5.76
8.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0K¥127.1K
$23.4KR$119.7K
-18.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.0K¥113.8K
$34.3KR$176.0K
-50.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.48¥271
$137R$701
-70.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.83¥65.9
$10.41R$53.4
-5.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.68¥84.9
$19.24R$98.7
-34.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.24¥182
$18.26R$93.6
49.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.32¥75.8
$22.18R$114
-48.96%
Cinema Ticket
$5.87¥39.32
$5.38R$27.56
9.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$414¥2,773
$254R$1,302
62.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1K¥101.0K
$5,760R$29.5K
161.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.07¥195
$68.9R$353
-57.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.22¥202
$49.78R$255
-39.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.7¥400
$108R$554
-44.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.1¥355
$75.7R$388
-29.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$494¥3,308
$245R$1,254
101.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$263¥1,762
$161R$825
63.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$853¥5,712
$449R$2,299
90.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$557¥3,731
$296R$1,518
88.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,753¥25.1K
$1,584R$8,119
136.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,947¥13.0K
$700R$3,588
178.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chengdu
Bauru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,323¥8,859
$374R$1,915
254.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.38
9.59
-64.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chengdu: September 7, 2026
Last update for Bauru: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $494 in Chengdu and $245 in Bauru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chengdu pays 254% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $20.00 in Chengdu vs $26.00 in Bauru. Groceries flip the comparison at $197 vs $181, with Bauru 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
Chengdu vs Bauru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chengdu or Bauru?
Chengdu wins on cost – living expenses run 6% lower than in Bauru. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Chengdu the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Chengdu or in Bauru?
Average pay runs 254% higher in Chengdu, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Chengdu compared to Bauru?
Rent for a central apartment: $494 in Chengdu versus $245 in Bauru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Chengdu and in Bauru?
Dining out is cheaper in Chengdu – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $26.00 in Bauru. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Chengdu compared to Bauru?
All in, you'll spend $760 per month in Chengdu versus $807 in Bauru – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chengdu or in Bauru?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Chengdu gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chengdu or Bauru?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Chengdu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Bauru. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.