For one person, living is cheaper in China: $791 a month against $1,123 in Cape Verde, rent and utilities included – about $4,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in China and in Cape Verde actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $791 per month in China vs $1,123 in Cape Verde, rent included.
China $791
Cape Verde $1,123
A couple spends around $1,251 per month in China vs $1,700 in Cape Verde, rent included.
China $1,251
Cape Verde $1,700
A family of three spends $1,711 per month in China vs $2,276 in Cape Verde, rent included.
China $1,711
Cape Verde $2,276
📏
Cost ranges are similar: China spans $465–$1,222, Cape Verde $387–$1,195. City choice affects budget similarly in either country.
🌍
The cost of living in China is roughly 30% lower than in Cape Verde on average.
📊
Both China and Cape Verde are more affordable than the global median – China 42% lower, Cape Verde 18% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.98¥19.84
$5.46CVE 540
-45.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.09¥147
$53.4CVE 5,280
-58.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.20¥34.66
$9.67CVE 956
-46.23%
Cappuccino
$2.97¥19.77
$2.42CVE 239
22.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.19
$2.12CVE 209
-77.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.01
$1.19CVE 117
-74.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.08¥7.19
$3.00CVE 297
-64.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28¥15.18
$1.97CVE 195
15.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80¥11.98
$1.39CVE 137
29.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.68¥11.17
$1.71CVE 169
-1.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.92¥6.14
$1.85CVE 183
-50.27%
Eggs
$1.61¥10.75
$2.45CVE 242
-34.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.38¥89.2
$13.30CVE 1,315
0.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.35¥22.31
$8.68CVE 858
-61.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.35¥75.7
$18.49CVE 1,828
-38.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82¥12.14
$3.13CVE 310
-41.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31¥8.71
$2.64CVE 261
-50.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49¥9.91
$2.95CVE 292
-49.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.27¥8.49
$3.84CVE 380
-66.93%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71¥4.74
$1.49CVE 147
-52.35%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93¥6.22
$1.74CVE 172
-46.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62¥4.12
$1.25CVE 124
-50.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56¥3.75
$1.22CVE 121
-54.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.78¥25.19
$4.97CVE 492
-23.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.13¥80.9
$8.00CVE 791
51.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83¥5.55
$2.06CVE 204
-59.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68¥11.23
$1.79CVE 177
-6.15%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
$0.89CVE 87.7
-67.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.83¥119
$30.02CVE 2,969
-40.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49¥9.91
$1.98CVE 196
-24.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37¥2.50
$2.56CVE 253
-85.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.10¥47.31
$15.49CVE 1,532
-54.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26¥8.39
$1.51CVE 149
-16.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4K¥129.6K
$29.4KCVE 2.9M
-33.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.5K¥116.9K
$38.7KCVE 3.8M
-54.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$54.6¥364
$148CVE 14.6K
-63.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.73¥58.2
$16.86CVE 1,667
-48.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.07¥73.8
$52.8CVE 5,222
-79.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.77¥272
$29.34CVE 2,901
38.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.48¥96.5
$7.86CVE 778
84.22%
Cinema Ticket
$6.78¥45.19
$5.57CVE 550
21.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$517¥3,443
$147CVE 14.5K
252.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.8K¥132.0K
$3,055CVE 302.1K
548.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.53¥310
$51.0CVE 5,045
-8.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.66¥238
$25.45CVE 2,517
40.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.0¥513
$64.7CVE 6,399
18.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.3¥535
$137CVE 13.5K
-41.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$386¥2,572
$419CVE 41.4K
-7.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$235¥1,563
$251CVE 24.8K
-6.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$822¥5,478
$577CVE 57.1K
42.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453¥3,020
$334CVE 33.0K
35.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,697¥31.3K
$1,099CVE 108.6K
327.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,372¥15.8K
$777CVE 76.9K
205.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,093¥7,286
$325CVE 32.1K
236.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.46
7.33
-52.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: October 24, 2026
Last update for Cape Verde: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
China
$235 29.6%
Cape Verde
$251 22.4% ↑ 7%$16
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$210 26.5%
Cape Verde
$307 27.3% ↑ 46.1%$97
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$108 13.6%
Cape Verde
$125 11.1% ↑ 16%$17
🍽Eating Out
China
$88 11.1%
Cape Verde
$134 11.9% ↑ 51.9%$46
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$74 9.4%
Cape Verde
$217 19.4% ↑ 192%$143
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$54 6.9%
Cape Verde
$40 3.6% ↓ 25.5%$14
🚌Getting Around
China
$22 2.8%
Cape Verde
$48 4.3% ↑ 116%$26
🏠Accommodation & Living
China
$453 26.5%
Cape Verde
$334 14.7% ↓ 26.3%$119
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$483 28.3%
Cape Verde
$720 31.6% ↑ 49%$237
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$239 14%
Cape Verde
$278 12.2% ↑ 16%$38
🍽Eating Out
China
$284 16.6%
Cape Verde
$523 23% ↑ 84.5%$240
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$83 4.9%
Cape Verde
$234 10.3% ↑ 182%$151
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$123 7.2%
Cape Verde
$89 3.9% ↓ 27.9%$34
🚌Getting Around
China
$45 2.6%
Cape Verde
$98 4.3% ↑ 118%$53
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $298 in China vs $412 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $933 in Beijing (Pekin) and $570 in Praia.
💰Average salary: $873 in China vs $275 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 38% higher in Cape Verde.
⭐Dining out costs 109% more in Cape Verde.
⭐Public transport is 67% more expensive in Cape Verde.
⭐Salaries are about 3.2 times higher in China, and purchasing power comes out stronger in China.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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?
China is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 30% lower on average.
Is rent more expensive in Cape Verde or in China?
Housing costs more in Cape Verde: a central one-bedroom averages $412 versus $298 in China.
How do daily expenses compare in Cape Verde vs China?
Groceries, public transport, and eating out all cost less in China, adding to the overall 42% price gap.
Which country is better for expats: Cape Verde or China?
China is the budget-friendly choice for expats. But cost isn’t everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.