😐A single person spends $1,015 per month in Hangzhou vs $714 in Quzhou, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,553 per month in Hangzhou vs $1,157 in Quzhou, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,091 per month in Hangzhou vs $1,599 in Quzhou, rent included.
😐Hangzhou costs about 42% more than Quzhou, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Hangzhou and Quzhou are more affordable than the global median – Hangzhou26% lower, Quzhou48% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.80¥25.49
$2.83¥18.99
34.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.84¥173
$30.17¥202
-14.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.12¥34.28
$4.50¥30.19
13.78%
Cappuccino
$3.43¥22.98
$3.39¥22.74
1.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60¥4.00
$0.44¥2.97
36.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31¥2.05
$0.29¥1.92
6.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.45¥9.72
$1.01¥6.79
43.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20¥14.72
$3.39¥22.69
-35.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.96¥13.11
$1.76¥11.81
11.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.66¥11.14
$1.14¥7.63
45.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13¥7.58
$0.72¥4.82
56.94%
Eggs
$2.16¥14.48
$1.61¥10.80
34.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.97¥127
$18.79¥126
0.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.68¥24.65
$3.79¥25.42
-2.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.28¥68.9
$8.56¥57.4
20.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.23¥14.92
$1.06¥7.09
110.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34¥8.98
$1.52¥10.19
-11.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61¥10.77
$1.54¥10.31
4.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49¥10.01
$1.18¥7.90
26.27%
Potato(1kg)
$0.93¥6.26
$0.62¥4.13
50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.99¥6.62
$0.73¥4.91
35.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62¥4.16
$0.69¥4.60
-10.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59¥3.94
$0.58¥3.89
1.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.99¥26.77
$4.43¥29.65
-9.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.31¥89.2
$8.14¥54.5
63.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80¥5.34
$0.82¥5.48
-2.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67¥11.17
$1.46¥9.80
14.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58¥3.85
$0.29¥1.94
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.63¥118
$19.58¥131
-9.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.89¥12.67
$1.67¥11.22
13.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39¥2.58
$0.34¥2.29
14.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.79¥45.48
$7.14¥47.86
-4.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31¥8.77
$1.23¥8.27
6.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5K¥130.8K
$19.3K¥129.6K
0.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.2K¥121.8K
$17.7K¥118.5K
2.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.1¥336
$52.0¥348
-3.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.55¥70.7
$6.67¥44.70
58.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.89¥99.8
$8.09¥54.2
84.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6¥346
$36.13¥242
42.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.87¥133
$16.86¥113
17.85%
Cinema Ticket
$7.45¥49.93
$7.60¥50.9
-1.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$566¥3,791
$418¥2,801
35.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$35.6K¥238.9K
$15.6K¥104.5K
128.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.4¥391
$63.1¥423
-7.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.59¥279
$27.01¥181
53.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.6¥567
$60.6¥406
39.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108¥723
$51.3¥343
110.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$622¥4,166
$271¥1,814
129.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393¥2,631
$155¥1,036
154.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,175¥7,877
$691¥4,633
70.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$651¥4,364
$427¥2,859
52.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,757¥52.0K
$3,601¥24.1K
115.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,645¥24.4K
$1,991¥13.3K
83.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hangzhou
Quzhou
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,477¥9,896
$710¥4,755
108.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
3.18
10.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hangzhou: September 1, 2026
Last update for Quzhou: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $622 in Hangzhou versus $271 in Quzhou. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 108% higher in Hangzhou, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Hangzhou versus $30.00 in Quzhou. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Hangzhou vs $202 in Quzhou – so Quzhou wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Hangzhou vs Quzhou: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quzhou cheaper than Hangzhou?
Yes – Hangzhou is pricier by about 42%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,523 per month in Hangzhou and $1,071 in Quzhou. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Quzhou, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Hangzhou and in Quzhou?
Groceries cost about 17% more in Hangzhou, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is eating out cheaper in Hangzhou or in Quzhou?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Hangzhou and $30.00 in Quzhou. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Hangzhou or in Quzhou?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Quzhou, where all-in costs run around $714, than in Hangzhou at $1,015. In Quzhou it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hangzhou it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Hangzhou or Quzhou more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Quzhou – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Quzhou. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hangzhou makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.