For one person, living is cheaper in China: $789 a month against $939 in Venezuela, rent and utilities included – about $1,800 less a year. The total is higher in Venezuela despite lower rent and utilities.
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 Venezuela actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $789 in China versus $939 in Venezuela.
China $789
Venezuela $939
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,254 in China versus $1,580 in Venezuela.
China $1,254
Venezuela $1,580
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,720 in China versus $2,222 in Venezuela.
China $1,720
Venezuela $2,222
📏
Internal cost variation is higher in Venezuela: monthly costs span $53 to $1,379, compared to $468–$1,246 in China. City choice carries more weight in Venezuela.
🌍
Living in China costs about 16% less than in Venezuela on average.
📊
Both countries sit below the global median: China 42% lower, Venezuela 31% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
China
Venezuela
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.04¥20.26
$9.91VES 8,829
-69.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.12¥147
$59.2VES 52.7K
-62.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.37¥35.77
$10.07VES 8,976
-46.67%
Cappuccino
$2.93¥19.55
$2.58VES 2,294
13.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48¥3.22
$1.37VES 1,218
-64.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30¥2.01
$1.09VES 975
-72.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.07¥7.16
$1.54VES 1,371
-30.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21¥14.70
$3.04VES 2,713
-27.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Venezuela
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80¥12.01
$2.37VES 2,114
-24.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62¥10.77
$1.91VES 1,702
-15.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99¥6.59
$1.53VES 1,359
-35.29%
Eggs
$1.62¥10.80
$3.19VES 2,840
-49.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.44¥89.5
$7.07VES 6,301
90.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.46¥23.06
$7.46VES 6,650
-53.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.15¥74.3
$8.92VES 7,947
25.00%
Apples(1kg)
$1.89¥12.61
$5.76VES 5,129
-67.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31¥8.73
$1.69VES 1,508
-22.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50¥9.97
$1.84VES 1,641
-18.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.34¥8.91
$2.11VES 1,878
-36.49%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72¥4.77
$1.83VES 1,631
-60.66%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93¥6.22
$1.87VES 1,663
-50.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65¥4.35
$1.37VES 1,222
-52.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60¥3.98
$2.00VES 1,782
-70.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.82¥25.44
$4.11VES 3,661
-7.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.18¥81.2
$10.06VES 8,961
21.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91¥6.05
$1.28VES 1,137
-28.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥10.97
$2.24VES 1,997
-26.34%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Venezuela
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.92
$0.47VES 420
-38.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.07¥120
$30.31VES 27.0K
-40.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53¥10.23
$4.44VES 3,956
-65.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37¥2.47
$2.44VES 2,173
-84.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.69¥44.61
$14.71VES 13.1K
-54.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28¥8.50
$0.70VES 627
82.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7K¥131.5K
$24.9KVES 22.1M
-20.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.5K¥116.3K
$38.6KVES 34.4M
-54.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Venezuela
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.3¥369
$19.19VES 17.1K
188.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.32¥55.4
$10.43VES 9,289
-20.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.12¥74.1
$31.78VES 28.3K
-65.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Venezuela
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.65¥264
$36.82VES 32.8K
7.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.17¥101
$17.11VES 15.2K
-11.34%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65¥44.30
$5.03VES 4,484
32.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Venezuela
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$514¥3,428
$94.4VES 84.1K
444.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$34.9K¥232.6K
$4,136VES 3.7M
744.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Venezuela
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.85¥306
$49.84VES 44.4K
-8.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.41¥236
$39.06VES 34.8K
-9.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.0¥507
$91.3VES 81.3K
-16.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.0¥533
$90.3VES 80.5K
-11.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Venezuela
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$380¥2,529
$330VES 294.5K
14.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$232¥1,544
$223VES 198.4K
4.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$836¥5,568
$600VES 535.0K
39.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462¥3,077
$412VES 366.8K
12.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,743¥31.6K
$756VES 673.2K
527.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,383¥15.9K
$479VES 426.5K
397.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Venezuela
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,117¥7,442
$222VES 197.9K
402.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.45
22.35
-84.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for China: November 1, 2026
Last update for Venezuela: October 31, 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%
Venezuela
$223 23.7% ↓ 3.9%$9.1
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$212 26.8%
Venezuela
$274 29.1% ↑ 29.2%$62
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$107 13.5%
Venezuela
$122 13% ↑ 14%$15
🍽Eating Out
China
$89 11.2%
Venezuela
$164 17.5% ↑ 85.3%$75
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$75 9.5%
Venezuela
$61 6.5% ↓ 17.9%$13
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$53 6.7%
Venezuela
$47 5% ↓ 11.4%$6.1
🚌Getting Around
China
$23 2.9%
Venezuela
$49 5.2% ↑ 116%$26
🏠Accommodation & Living
China
$462 26.9%
Venezuela
$412 18.5% ↓ 10.8%$50
🛒Groceries & Markets
China
$486 28.3%
Venezuela
$633 28.5% ↑ 30.1%$146
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
China
$237 13.8%
Venezuela
$271 12.2% ↑ 14%$33
🍽Eating Out
China
$285 16.6%
Venezuela
$626 28.2% ↑ 120%$341
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
$83 4.8%
Venezuela
$72 3.2% ↓ 13.5%$11
🎉Sport & Entertainment
China
$121 7%
Venezuela
$111 5% ↓ 8.4%$10
🚌Getting Around
China
$46 2.7%
Venezuela
$99 4.4% ↑ 115%$53
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $298 in China, $239 in Venezuela. Capital cities: $942 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $654 in Caracas.
💰National salary averages: $881 in China, $204 in Venezuela. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 25% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 114% more in Venezuela.
⭐Public transport is 78% more expensive in Venezuela.
⭐Salaries are about 4.3 times higher in China, 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 Venezuela: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or Venezuela?
At $789 per month in China and $939 in Venezuela, China comes out about 16% 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 Venezuela?
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 I choose between living in China and in Venezuela?
It depends on what you’re after: China wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.