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: $712 in China versus $376 in Ghana.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,132 in China versus $633 in Ghana.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,551 in China versus $889 in Ghana.
😐Living in China is roughly 89% more expensive than Ghana on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: China47% lower, Ghana72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Ghana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.81¥18.98
$3.78GHS 44.39
-25.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.30¥158
$43.89GHS 515
-46.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.01¥33.87
$7.80GHS 91.5
-35.77%
Cappuccino
$3.01¥20.38
$3.15GHS 36.93
-4.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45¥3.03
$0.90GHS 10.55
-50.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29¥1.97
$0.36GHS 4.25
-19.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.95¥6.41
$1.27GHS 14.90
-25.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05¥13.87
$2.30GHS 27.01
-10.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Ghana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76¥11.87
$2.92GHS 34.26
-39.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62¥10.98
$1.43GHS 16.78
13.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95¥6.45
$2.20GHS 25.77
-56.82%
Eggs
$1.56¥10.55
$2.37GHS 27.83
-34.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.06¥88.3
$8.45GHS 99.2
54.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.28¥22.17
$4.54GHS 53.3
-27.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.65¥72.0
$5.45GHS 64.0
95.41%
Apples(1kg)
$1.78¥12.03
$2.77GHS 32.50
-35.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.24¥8.42
$1.40GHS 16.38
-11.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50¥10.12
$1.55GHS 18.18
-3.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15¥7.79
$2.79GHS 32.78
-58.78%
Potato(1kg)
$0.75¥5.07
$2.75GHS 32.27
-72.73%
Onion(1kg)
$0.86¥5.81
$2.06GHS 24.15
-58.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62¥4.17
$0.87GHS 10.22
-28.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56¥3.81
$0.54GHS 6.32
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.51¥23.76
$1.57GHS 18.48
123.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.66¥78.9
$7.12GHS 83.6
63.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80¥5.40
$1.12GHS 13.18
-28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66¥11.25
$1.86GHS 21.79
-10.75%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Ghana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43¥2.93
$1.04GHS 12.21
-58.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.86¥141
$35.61GHS 418
-41.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.37¥9.26
$1.53GHS 17.93
-10.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35¥2.38
$1.28GHS 14.98
-72.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.63¥44.82
$4.44GHS 52.2
49.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14¥7.69
$1.12GHS 13.13
1.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.2K¥129.7K
$7,860GHS 92.3K
144.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.8K¥113.4K
$10.3KGHS 120.5K
63.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Ghana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.2¥346
$48.69GHS 572
5.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.16¥68.7
$13.26GHS 156
-23.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.51¥77.9
$42.41GHS 498
-72.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Ghana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.53¥274
$32.26GHS 379
25.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.05¥102
$15.62GHS 183
-3.65%
Cinema Ticket
$6.10¥41.26
$9.85GHS 116
-38.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Ghana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$402¥2,719
$77.1GHS 905
421.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.7K¥119.5K
$7,341GHS 86.2K
140.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Ghana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.57¥308
$16.18GHS 190
181.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.26¥225
$20.55GHS 241
61.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.6¥491
$31.48GHS 370
130.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5¥503
$44.93GHS 527
65.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Ghana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429¥2,903
$509GHS 5,980
-15.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$257¥1,739
$159GHS 1,863
62.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$895¥6,055
$1,044GHS 12.3K
-14.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$541¥3,660
$406GHS 4,764
33.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,015¥33.9K
$3,146GHS 36.9K
59.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,469¥16.7K
$1,719GHS 20.2K
43.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Ghana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,055¥7,132
$238GHS 2,798
342.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
26.83
-84.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: June 1, 2026
Last update for Ghana: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $286 in China, $89.0 in Ghana. Capital cities: $916 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $529 in Accra.
💰National salary averages: $861 in China, $292 in Ghana. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 221% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 29% more in Ghana.
⭐Public transport is 200% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 195% higher in China, giving China stronger purchasing power.
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 $865 per month in China and $401 in Ghana, there's a 116% 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?
Ghana is simply cheaper day-to-day: 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 beats 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 $1,000 go in China vs Ghana?
In Ghana, $1,000 covers most cities easily. In China, it works in regional areas but 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 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.