😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $720 in China versus $236 in South Sudan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,148 in China versus $369 in South Sudan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,576 in China versus $502 in South Sudan.
🌍Living in China is roughly 205% more expensive than in South Sudan on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: China 48% lower, South Sudan 83% lower.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in China: monthly costs span $468 to $1,236, compared to $236–$236 in South Sudan. City choice carries more weight in China.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
South Sudan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.93¥19.60
$20.20SSP 56.9K
-85.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.72¥152
$171SSP 480.0K
-86.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.07¥33.95
$7.57SSP 21.3K
-33.03%
Cappuccino
$2.94¥19.70
$3.15SSP 8,863
-6.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.21
$1.49SSP 4,188
-67.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.02
$1.35SSP 3,808
-77.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.06¥7.10
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25¥15.07
$12.19SSP 34.3K
-81.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
South Sudan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79¥11.99
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.70¥11.35
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.96¥6.45
-
-
Eggs
$1.61¥10.79
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.60¥91.1
$7.27SSP 20.5K
87.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.41¥22.84
$5.39SSP 15.2K
-36.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.07¥74.2
$11.68SSP 32.9K
-5.22%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81¥12.09
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.30¥8.74
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48¥9.91
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30¥8.72
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.82
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.94¥6.31
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61¥4.08
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56¥3.73
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.67¥24.58
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.90¥79.7
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83¥5.56
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥11.08
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
China
South Sudan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.61¥151
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45¥9.72
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34¥2.31
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.27¥48.72
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23¥8.26
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K¥130.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2K¥115.5K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
South Sudan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.5¥371
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.51¥57.0
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.81¥72.4
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
South Sudan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.02¥268
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.80¥99.1
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.73¥45.09
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
South Sudan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$454¥3,042
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.5K¥130.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
South Sudan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.95¥301
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.81¥240
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.8¥514
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.3¥518
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
South Sudan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$385¥2,581
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242¥1,623
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837¥5,603
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474¥3,177
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,619¥30.9K
$1,098SSP 3.1M
320.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,316¥15.5K
$589SSP 1.7M
293.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
South Sudan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,062¥7,110
$2,052SSP 5.8M
-48.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.47
8.85
-60.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: September 5, 2026
Last update for South Sudan: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰National salary averages: $865 in China, $1,801 in South Sudan. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Salaries are 108% higher in South Sudan, and purchasing power comes out stronger in South Sudan.
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 South Sudan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or South Sudan?
At $852 per month in China and $236 in South Sudan, there's a 261% 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 South Sudan?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in South Sudan: 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 South Sudan?
Rent in China is consistently higher than in South Sudan 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 $800 go in China compared to South Sudan?
In South Sudan, $800 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 South Sudan?
It depends on what you're after: South Sudan wins on affordability; China may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.