Cost of Living Comparison Between China and GhanaCost of Living Comparison Between China and Ghana
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $720 in China versus $525 in Ghana.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,148 in China versus $860 in Ghana.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,576 in China versus $1,195 in Ghana.
🌍Living in China is roughly 37% more expensive than in Ghana on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: China 48% lower, Ghana 62% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Ghana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.93¥19.60
$7.12GHS 81.4
-58.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.72¥152
$49.49GHS 565
-54.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.07¥33.95
$10.41GHS 119
-51.30%
Cappuccino
$2.94¥19.70
$4.05GHS 46.27
-27.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.21
$1.15GHS 13.12
-58.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.02
$0.45GHS 5.11
-33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.06¥7.10
$1.78GHS 20.35
-40.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25¥15.07
$2.60GHS 29.66
-13.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Ghana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79¥11.99
$3.32GHS 37.95
-46.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.70¥11.35
$1.68GHS 19.14
1.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.96¥6.45
$3.06GHS 34.91
-68.63%
Eggs
$1.61¥10.79
$2.72GHS 31.02
-40.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.60¥91.1
$11.60GHS 132
17.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.41¥22.84
$5.96GHS 68.1
-42.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.07¥74.2
$7.34GHS 83.9
50.82%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81¥12.09
$2.96GHS 33.80
-38.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30¥8.74
$1.40GHS 15.95
-7.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48¥9.91
$1.69GHS 19.25
-12.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30¥8.72
$3.25GHS 37.15
-60.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.82
$2.95GHS 33.72
-75.59%
Onion(1kg)
$0.94¥6.31
$2.34GHS 26.70
-59.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61¥4.08
$0.92GHS 10.51
-33.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56¥3.73
$0.64GHS 7.31
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.67¥24.58
$2.24GHS 25.54
63.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.90¥79.7
$7.10GHS 81.1
67.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83¥5.56
$1.42GHS 16.19
-41.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥11.08
$2.54GHS 28.99
-35.04%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Ghana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
$1.56GHS 17.77
-81.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.61¥151
$40.58GHS 463
-44.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45¥9.72
$1.70GHS 19.44
-14.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34¥2.31
$1.35GHS 15.39
-74.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27¥48.72
$3.64GHS 41.59
99.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23¥8.26
$1.30GHS 14.82
-5.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K¥130.9K
$8,158GHS 93.2K
139.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2K¥115.5K
$10.2KGHS 116.9K
68.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Ghana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.5¥371
$78.8GHS 900
-29.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.51¥57.0
$19.52GHS 223
-56.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.81¥72.4
$47.51GHS 543
-77.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Ghana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.02¥268
$62.9GHS 718
-36.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.80¥99.1
$18.89GHS 216
-21.65%
Cinema Ticket
$6.73¥45.09
$12.37GHS 141
-45.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Ghana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$454¥3,042
$409GHS 4,672
11.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.5K¥130.8K
$15.2KGHS 174.1K
28.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Ghana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.95¥301
$13.97GHS 160
221.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.81¥240
$18.85GHS 215
89.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.8¥514
$39.73GHS 454
93.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.3¥518
$51.3GHS 586
50.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Ghana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$385¥2,581
$577GHS 6,592
-33.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242¥1,623
$244GHS 2,781
-0.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837¥5,603
$1,144GHS 13.1K
-26.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474¥3,177
$498GHS 5,691
-4.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,619¥30.9K
$3,171GHS 36.2K
45.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,316¥15.5K
$1,728GHS 19.7K
34.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Ghana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,062¥7,110
$224GHS 2,554
374.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.47
28.8
-87.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: September 5, 2026
Last update for Ghana: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $295 in China, $97.0 in Ghana. Capital cities: $957 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $693 in Accra.
💰National salary averages: $865 in China, $348 in Ghana. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 204% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 57% more in Ghana.
⭐Public transport is 143% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 149% 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 Ghana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or Ghana?
At $852 per month in China and $635 in Ghana, there's a 34% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: China or Ghana?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Ghana: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
How do rents compare between China and Ghana?
Rent in China is consistently higher than in Ghana across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
How far does $1,500 go in China compared to Ghana?
In Ghana, $1,500 covers most cities easily; in China it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
How do I choose between living in China and in Ghana?
It depends on what you're after: Ghana wins on affordability; China may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.