For one person, living is cheaper in China: $789 a month against $1,512 in Lithuania, rent and utilities included – about $8,700 less a year. Rent and utilities 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 Lithuania actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $789 in China versus $1,512 in Lithuania.
China $789
Lithuania $1,512
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,254 in China versus $2,258 in Lithuania.
China $1,254
Lithuania $2,258
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,720 in China versus $3,005 in Lithuania.
China $1,720
Lithuania $3,005
📏
China ($468–$1,246) and Lithuania ($918–$1,705) have similar cost spreads. Where you settle within each country has roughly equal impact on the budget.
🌍
Living in China costs about 48% less than in Lithuania on average.
📊
China (42% below) and Lithuania (12% above) straddle the global median.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
China
Lithuania
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.04¥20.25
$13.26€11.83
-77.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.12¥147
$68.2€60.9
-67.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.37¥35.75
$8.92€7.96
-39.80%
Cappuccino
$2.93¥19.54
$3.66€3.26
-19.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.21
$2.62€2.33
-81.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.01
$2.46€2.20
-87.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.07¥7.15
$5.73€5.11
-81.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21¥14.69
$4.46€3.98
-50.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Lithuania
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80¥12.01
$1.48€1.32
21.62%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62¥10.76
$1.71€1.53
-5.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99¥6.58
$2.34€2.09
-57.69%
Eggs
$1.62¥10.80
$3.33€2.97
-51.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.44¥89.5
$11.23€10.02
19.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.46¥23.05
$7.97€7.10
-56.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.15¥74.2
$11.92€10.63
-6.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.89¥12.60
$1.75€1.56
8.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31¥8.72
$1.52€1.36
-13.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50¥9.97
$1.94€1.73
-22.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.34¥8.90
$3.35€2.99
-60.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.77
$0.87€0.78
-17.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93¥6.21
$0.87€0.77
6.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65¥4.35
$1.67€1.49
-61.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60¥3.98
$0.88€0.79
-31.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.82¥25.43
$6.04€5.39
-36.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.18¥81.1
$8.73€7.79
39.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91¥6.04
$1.74€1.55
-47.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥10.96
$1.94€1.73
-14.95%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Lithuania
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
$1.11€0.99
-73.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.07¥120
$38.69€34.51
-53.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53¥10.22
$3.17€2.83
-51.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37¥2.46
$1.21€1.08
-69.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.69¥44.58
$15.73€14.03
-57.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28¥8.50
$1.94€1.73
-34.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7K¥131.5K
$27.6K€24.6K
-28.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.5K¥116.3K
$27.7K€24.7K
-36.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Lithuania
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.3¥368
$222€198
-75.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.32¥55.4
$14.53€12.96
-42.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.12¥74.1
$16.70€14.89
-33.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Lithuania
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.65¥264
$36.66€32.70
8.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.17¥101
$28.68€25.59
-47.11%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65¥44.27
$9.00€8.03
-26.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Lithuania
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$514¥3,426
$611€545
-15.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$34.9K¥232.5K
$10.9K€9,694
221.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Lithuania
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.85¥305
$89.1€79.5
-48.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.41¥236
$39.08€34.86
-9.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.0¥506
$93.9€83.8
-19.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.0¥533
$139€124
-42.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Lithuania
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$380¥2,528
$663€591
-42.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$232¥1,543
$497€443
-53.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$836¥5,565
$1,065€950
-21.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462¥3,075
$729€650
-36.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,743¥31.6K
$3,604€3,215
31.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,383¥15.9K
$2,132€1,902
11.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Lithuania
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,117¥7,438
$1,643€1,466
-32.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.45
3.97
-13.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: November 1, 2026
Last update for Lithuania: November 2, 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
$232 29.4%
Lithuania
$497 32.9% ↑ 114%$265
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$212 26.8%
Lithuania
$258 17.1% ↑ 21.8%$46
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$107 13.5%
Lithuania
$163 10.8% ↑ 52.4%$56
🍽Eating Out
China
$89 11.2%
Lithuania
$235 15.5% ↑ 165%$146
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$75 9.5%
Lithuania
$253 16.7% ↑ 239%$178
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$53 6.7%
Lithuania
$55 3.6% ↑ 3.2%$1.7
🚌Getting Around
China
$23 2.9%
Lithuania
$52 3.5% ↑ 132%$30
🏠Accommodation & Living
China
$462 26.9%
Lithuania
$729 24.3% ↑ 57.9%$267
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$486 28.3%
Lithuania
$595 19.8% ↑ 22.4%$109
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$237 13.8%
Lithuania
$362 12% ↑ 52.4%$124
🍽Eating Out
China
$285 16.6%
Lithuania
$806 26.8% ↑ 183%$522
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$83 4.8%
Lithuania
$268 8.9% ↑ 222%$185
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$121 7%
Lithuania
$138 4.6% ↑ 14%$17
🚌Getting Around
China
$46 2.7%
Lithuania
$107 3.6% ↑ 134%$61
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $298 in China, $564 in Lithuania. Capital cities: $942 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $849 in Vilnius.
💰National salary averages: $881 in China, $1,402 in Lithuania. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 89% higher in Lithuania.
⭐Dining out costs 155% more in Lithuania.
⭐Public transport is 83% more expensive in Lithuania.
⭐Salaries are 59% higher in Lithuania, 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 Lithuania: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or Lithuania?
At $789 per month in China and $1,512 in Lithuania, China comes out about 48% cheaper. 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 Lithuania?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in China: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. 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 Lithuania?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $564 in Lithuania and $298 in China. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
How do I choose between living in China and in Lithuania?
It depends on what you’re after: China wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.