😐A single person spends $720 per month in China vs $501 in Cape Verde, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,148 per month in China vs $824 in Cape Verde, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,576 per month in China vs $1,147 in Cape Verde, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in China is about 44% higher than in Cape Verde on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both China and Cape Verde are more affordable than the global median – China 48% lower, Cape Verde 64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.93¥19.60
$5.91CVE 561
-50.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.72¥152
$55.0CVE 5,222
-58.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.07¥33.95
$8.29CVE 788
-38.84%
Cappuccino
$2.94¥19.70
$2.52CVE 239
16.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.21
$2.17CVE 206
-77.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.02
$1.23CVE 117
-75.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.06¥7.10
$3.18CVE 302
-66.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25¥15.07
$2.09CVE 198
7.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79¥11.99
$1.53CVE 145
16.99%
White Bread(500g)
$1.70¥11.35
$1.77CVE 168
-3.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.96¥6.45
$2.00CVE 190
-52.00%
Eggs
$1.61¥10.79
$2.43CVE 230
-33.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.60¥91.1
$13.87CVE 1,317
-1.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.41¥22.84
$8.53CVE 810
-60.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.07¥74.2
$19.39CVE 1,841
-42.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81¥12.09
$3.21CVE 304
-43.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30¥8.74
$2.64CVE 251
-50.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48¥9.91
$3.10CVE 294
-52.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30¥8.72
$4.06CVE 385
-67.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.82
$1.54CVE 146
-53.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.94¥6.31
$1.79CVE 170
-47.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61¥4.08
$1.34CVE 127
-54.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56¥3.73
$1.24CVE 118
-54.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.67¥24.58
$5.31CVE 505
-30.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.90¥79.7
$8.30CVE 789
43.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83¥5.56
$2.04CVE 194
-59.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥11.08
$1.97CVE 187
-16.24%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
$0.69CVE 65.8
-57.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.61¥151
$32.27CVE 3,065
-29.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45¥9.72
$2.17CVE 206
-33.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34¥2.31
$2.67CVE 254
-87.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27¥48.72
$15.92CVE 1,512
-54.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23¥8.26
$1.55CVE 147
-20.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K¥130.9K
$30.1KCVE 2.9M
-35.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2K¥115.5K
$39.5KCVE 3.8M
-56.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.5¥371
$151CVE 14.4K
-63.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.51¥57.0
$17.24CVE 1,637
-50.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.81¥72.4
$56.0CVE 5,315
-80.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.02¥268
$30.67CVE 2,912
30.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.80¥99.1
$8.10CVE 770
82.72%
Cinema Ticket
$6.73¥45.09
$5.90CVE 560
14.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$454¥3,042
$148CVE 14.0K
207.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.5K¥130.8K
$3,232CVE 306.9K
504.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.95¥301
$53.0CVE 5,033
-15.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.81¥240
$26.06CVE 2,475
37.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.8¥514
$69.9CVE 6,638
9.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.3¥518
$141CVE 13.4K
-45.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$385¥2,581
$444CVE 42.1K
-13.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242¥1,623
$257CVE 24.4K
-5.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837¥5,603
$607CVE 57.6K
37.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474¥3,177
$347CVE 33.0K
36.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,619¥30.9K
$1,162CVE 110.3K
297.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,316¥15.5K
$794CVE 75.4K
191.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,062¥7,110
$343CVE 32.5K
209.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.47
7.33
-52.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: September 5, 2026
Last update for Cape Verde: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $295 in China vs $171 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $957 in Beijing (Pekin) and $595 in Praia.
💰Average salary: $865 in China vs $289 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 73% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 33% more in Cape Verde.
⭐Public transport is 42% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 199% higher in China, and purchasing power comes out stronger in China.
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 Cape Verde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Cape Verde or China?
Cape Verde is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 39% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Cape Verde or in China?
Housing costs more in China, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but China consistently has higher rents.
How do daily expenses compare in Cape Verde vs China?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Cape Verde, contributing to the overall 39% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Cape Verde and China on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Cape Verde, but in China it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Cape Verde or China?
Cape Verde 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.