😐A single person spends $712 per month in China vs $527 in Cape Verde, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,131 per month in China vs $879 in Cape Verde, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,550 per month in China vs $1,230 in Cape Verde, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in China is about 35% 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 47% lower, Cape Verde 61% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.86¥19.32
$5.10CVE 493
-43.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.44¥158
$51.7CVE 4,991
-54.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.84¥32.70
$8.13CVE 785
-40.47%
Cappuccino
$3.11¥21.03
$1.96CVE 189
58.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44¥2.99
$1.96CVE 189
-77.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29¥1.99
$1.17CVE 113
-75.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.98¥6.63
$3.36CVE 325
-70.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05¥13.86
$2.14CVE 207
-4.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.84¥12.45
$1.37CVE 132
34.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62¥10.92
$1.83CVE 177
-11.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93¥6.27
$1.80CVE 174
-48.33%
Eggs
$1.63¥11.01
$2.31CVE 223
-29.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.15¥88.8
$13.10CVE 1,264
0.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.26¥22.06
$8.14CVE 786
-59.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.62¥71.8
$20.28CVE 1,958
-47.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.80¥12.17
$2.68CVE 259
-32.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30¥8.76
$2.33CVE 225
-44.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46¥9.88
$2.82CVE 273
-48.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20¥8.13
$3.49CVE 337
-65.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76¥5.13
$1.49CVE 143
-48.99%
Onion(1kg)
$0.88¥5.93
$1.70CVE 164
-48.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57¥3.86
$1.41CVE 137
-59.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54¥3.62
$1.06CVE 102
-49.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.42¥23.14
$4.98CVE 481
-31.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.75¥79.4
$8.42CVE 813
39.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80¥5.39
$2.02CVE 195
-60.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62¥10.94
$1.85CVE 179
-12.43%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Cape Verde
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43¥2.93
$0.90CVE 87.2
-52.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.47¥138
$30.47CVE 2,942
-32.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36¥9.22
$1.81CVE 175
-24.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35¥2.39
$2.12CVE 205
-83.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.50¥43.90
$10.64CVE 1,027
-38.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12¥7.58
$1.52CVE 147
-26.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K¥131.6K
$29.4KCVE 2.8M
-33.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9K¥113.9K
$39.2KCVE 3.8M
-56.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.7¥349
$136CVE 13.1K
-61.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.17¥68.7
$28.27CVE 2,730
-64.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.16¥75.4
$53.4CVE 5,157
-79.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.62¥268
$34.59CVE 3,339
14.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.53¥98.2
$8.68CVE 838
67.40%
Cinema Ticket
$6.38¥43.12
$5.86CVE 565
8.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$407¥2,752
$162CVE 15.6K
152.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.8K¥120.5K
$2,997CVE 289.3K
495.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.53¥308
$59.6CVE 5,756
-23.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.31¥218
$30.79CVE 2,972
4.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.6¥490
$83.1CVE 8,018
-12.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.4¥503
$140CVE 13.5K
-46.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Cape Verde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$443¥2,992
$455CVE 44.0K
-2.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$258¥1,745
$250CVE 24.1K
3.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$910¥6,152
$567CVE 54.8K
60.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$543¥3,672
$482CVE 46.5K
12.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,934¥33.3K
$1,134CVE 109.5K
335.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,398¥16.2K
$798CVE 77.1K
200.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Cape Verde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,065¥7,194
$330CVE 31.9K
222.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
7.67
-47.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: July 13, 2026
Last update for Cape Verde: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $287 in China vs $161 in Cape Verde. For reference, capital cities sit at $894 in Beijing (Pekin) and $474 in Praia.
💰Average salary: $855 in China vs $286 in Cape Verde. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 78% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 33% more in Cape Verde.
⭐Public transport is 50% 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 42% 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 42% 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.