🙂A single person spends $775 per month in Haikou vs $2,475 in Decatur, AL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,196 per month in Haikou vs $3,546 in Decatur, AL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,618 per month in Haikou vs $4,618 in Decatur, AL, rent included.
🙂Haikou is about 69% cheaper than Decatur, AL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Haikou sits 42% below the global median, while Decatur, AL is 84% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.55¥17.41
$11.59$11.59
-78.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.74¥169
$49.88$49.88
-50.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.07¥34.62
$9.13$9.13
-44.47%
Cappuccino
$2.93¥19.98
$4.18$4.18
-29.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43¥2.92
$1.27$1.27
-66.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31¥2.11
$1.65$1.65
-81.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.41¥9.65
$4.39$4.39
-67.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62¥24.75
$5.85$5.85
-38.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.86¥12.73
$0.55$0.55
238.18%
White Bread(500g)
$1.35¥9.24
$2.91$2.91
-53.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83¥5.65
$4.49$4.49
-81.51%
Eggs
$1.93¥13.16
$4.21$4.21
-54.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.81¥87.5
$11.05$11.05
15.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.68¥38.78
$10.73$10.73
-47.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.47¥106
$15.14$15.14
2.18%
Apples(1kg)
$0.81¥5.53
$6.18$6.18
-86.89%
Banana(1kg)
$0.88¥6.04
$1.60$1.60
-45.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.40¥2.76
$5.42$5.42
-92.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.01¥6.92
$4.78$4.78
-78.87%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76¥5.20
$5.15$5.15
-85.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68¥4.63
$3.51$3.51
-80.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.27¥1.83
$2.27$2.27
-88.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52¥3.58
$2.35$2.35
-77.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98¥20.32
$8.16$8.16
-63.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.47¥71.5
$14.80$14.80
-29.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80¥5.43
$1.69$1.69
-52.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57¥10.74
$1.86$1.86
-15.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.98
$2.05$2.05
-85.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.85¥115
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.71¥18.51
$2.05$2.05
32.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35¥2.40
$1.38$1.38
-74.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.50¥44.37
$19.68$19.68
-66.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16¥7.89
$0.81$0.81
43.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6K¥140.8K
$32.5K$32.5K
-36.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.4K¥112.0K
$27.3K$27.3K
-39.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.47¥229
$215$215
-84.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.71¥93.7
$59.6$59.6
-76.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.19¥55.9
$67.7$67.7
-87.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.12¥226
$43.07$43.07
-23.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.83¥39.85
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.28¥36.10
$9.51$9.51
-44.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$336¥2,294
$1,532$1,532
-78.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$27.7K¥189.2K
$27.1K$27.1K
2.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.37¥283
$40.74$40.74
1.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.32¥289
$32.32$32.32
30.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$41.93¥286
$75.3$75.3
-44.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.67¥237
$139$139
-75.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$348¥2,374
$1,611$1,611
-78.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$281¥1,917
$1,370$1,370
-79.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$530¥3,620
$1,734$1,734
-69.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$477¥3,261
$2,188$2,188
-78.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,188¥21.8K
$1,687$1,687
88.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,057¥14.1K
$1,673$1,673
22.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Haikou
Decatur, AL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$692¥4,727
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.85
6.53
-25.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Haikou: April 12, 2026
Last update for Decatur, AL: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $348 in Haikou versus $1,611 in Decatur, AL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Haikou versus $50 in Decatur, AL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $212 vs $389 – making Haikou the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Haikou vs Decatur, AL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Haikou or Decatur, AL?
Decatur, AL costs about 219% more than Haikou, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Haikou vs Decatur, AL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,163 per month in Haikou and $3,713 in Decatur, AL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Haikou or Decatur, AL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Haikou, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Haikou vs Decatur, AL?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Haikou and $50.0 in Decatur, AL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Haikou or Decatur, AL?
Groceries cost about 84% more in Decatur, AL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Haikou or Decatur, AL?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Haikou, where all-in costs run around $775, than in Decatur, AL at $2,475. In Haikou it covers expenses comfortably, while in Decatur, AL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Haikou – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Haikou or Decatur, AL?
If budget matters most, go with Haikou. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Decatur, AL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.