Cost of Living Comparison Between China and BarbadosCost of Living Comparison Between China and Barbados
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $712 per month in China vs $703 in Barbados, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,131 per month in China vs $1,229 in Barbados, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,549 per month in China vs $1,754 in Barbados, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in China is about 1% higher than in Barbados on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both China and Barbados are more affordable than the global median – China 47% lower, Barbados 47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Barbados
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.77¥18.72
$19.94BBD 39.87
-86.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.05¥162
$99.2BBD 198
-75.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.73¥31.93
$10.17BBD 20.34
-53.49%
Cappuccino
$3.08¥20.78
$4.96BBD 9.92
-37.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44¥3.00
$1.83BBD 3.65
-75.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29¥1.98
$1.40BBD 2.80
-79.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.01¥6.80
$2.53BBD 5.07
-60.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08¥14.03
$4.04BBD 8.07
-48.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Barbados
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.83¥12.39
$3.47BBD 6.94
-47.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62¥10.94
$2.66BBD 5.32
-39.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.97¥6.58
$4.10BBD 8.20
-76.34%
Eggs
$1.61¥10.90
$5.67BBD 11.33
-71.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.34¥90.1
$7.97BBD 15.93
67.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.37¥22.75
$11.21BBD 22.43
-69.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.68¥72.2
$10.32BBD 20.65
3.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81¥12.26
$4.13BBD 8.26
-56.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25¥8.44
$3.23BBD 6.45
-61.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46¥9.88
$5.00BBD 10.00
-70.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15¥7.73
$4.09BBD 8.18
-71.88%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73¥4.92
$4.08BBD 8.17
-82.11%
Onion(1kg)
$0.89¥5.99
$3.22BBD 6.43
-72.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.60¥4.05
$2.58BBD 5.16
-76.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53¥3.59
$2.28BBD 4.56
-76.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.39¥22.93
$8.11BBD 16.21
-58.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.73¥79.3
$15.72BBD 31.44
-25.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.77¥5.23
$1.76BBD 3.51
-56.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63¥10.98
$2.83BBD 5.66
-42.40%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Barbados
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41¥2.77
$1.76BBD 3.53
-76.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.24¥143
$25.07BBD 50.1
-15.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35¥9.13
$14.72BBD 29.43
-90.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.36¥2.40
$2.43BBD 4.86
-85.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.70¥45.26
$40.59BBD 81.2
-83.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18¥7.98
$1.99BBD 3.98
-40.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8K¥133.4K
$40.1KBBD 80.2K
-50.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.5K¥111.7K
$37.2KBBD 74.3K
-55.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Barbados
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.7¥349
$126BBD 253
-59.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.09¥68.2
$49.14BBD 98.3
-79.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.38¥76.9
$59.3BBD 119
-80.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Barbados
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.24¥265
$73.3BBD 147
-46.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.84¥100
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.30¥42.56
$10.10BBD 20.21
-37.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Barbados
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$414¥2,795
$269BBD 537
53.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.4K¥117.6K
$7,536BBD 15.1K
131.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Barbados
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.77¥316
$57.4BBD 115
-18.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.08¥223
$37.97BBD 75.9
-12.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.9¥479
$103BBD 205
-30.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5¥503
$90.4BBD 181
-17.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Barbados
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$440¥2,972
$679BBD 1,358
-35.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$253¥1,707
$551BBD 1,103
-54.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$911¥6,153
$1,729BBD 3,458
-47.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$531¥3,584
$1,209BBD 2,418
-56.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,778¥32.3K
$3,544BBD 7,088
34.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,403¥16.2K
$3,470BBD 6,940
-30.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Barbados
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,058¥7,144
$1,274BBD 2,547
-16.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
5.62
-27.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: July 28, 2026
Last update for Barbados: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $287 in China vs $197 in Barbados. For reference, capital cities sit at $909 in Beijing (Pekin) and $599 in Bridgetown.
💰Average salary: $857 in China vs $1,464 in Barbados. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 46% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 76% more in Barbados.
⭐Public transport is 350% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 71% higher in Barbados, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Barbados.
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
China vs Barbados: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Barbados and China compare in cost of living?
China is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 13% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Barbados and China?
Housing costs more in Barbados, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Barbados consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Barbados or China?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in China, contributing to the overall 13% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $2,000 go in Barbados compared to China?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in China, but in Barbados it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Barbados and in China?
China is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.