🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $653 in Jieyang versus $1,194 in Shanghai.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,013 in Jieyang versus $1,972 in Shanghai.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,373 in Jieyang versus $2,750 in Shanghai.
🙂Living in Jieyang costs roughly 45% less than in Shanghai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Jieyang51% lower, Shanghai11% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.00¥13.67
$4.97¥33.95
-59.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.72¥80.0
$36.17¥247
-67.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.58¥24.48
$5.42¥37.04
-33.95%
Cappuccino
$2.81¥19.21
$3.56¥24.31
-21.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40¥2.75
$0.53¥3.64
-24.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29¥1.96
$0.33¥2.28
-12.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.82¥5.62
$1.35¥9.23
-39.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66¥11.31
$2.76¥18.87
-39.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37¥9.34
$2.13¥14.54
-35.68%
White Bread(500g)
$2.14¥14.63
$1.84¥12.58
16.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83¥5.64
$1.05¥7.19
-20.95%
Eggs
$0.86¥5.87
$1.68¥11.45
-48.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.04¥75.4
$15.58¥106
-29.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.39¥16.29
$3.24¥22.13
-26.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.90¥74.5
$10.83¥74.0
0.65%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79¥12.22
$2.37¥16.22
-24.47%
Banana(1kg)
$0.63¥4.32
$1.69¥11.57
-62.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.93¥6.38
$1.80¥12.27
-48.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.87¥12.77
$1.48¥10.09
26.35%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89¥6.11
$0.85¥5.83
4.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.62¥11.07
$1.17¥7.99
38.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40¥2.76
$0.62¥4.25
-35.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51¥3.50
$0.61¥4.15
-16.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72¥18.59
$2.81¥19.17
-3.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.79¥73.7
$11.89¥81.2
-9.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.78¥5.36
$0.79¥5.38
-1.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥11.26
$1.57¥10.72
5.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.99
$0.44¥2.98
-34.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.46¥112
$34.93¥239
-52.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.81¥5.51
$2.24¥15.33
-63.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.14¥0.93
$0.38¥2.59
-63.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.62¥45.19
$8.23¥56.2
-19.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94¥6.42
$1.15¥7.87
-18.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.0K¥82.0K
$19.9K¥135.8K
-39.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$10.5K¥71.4K
$17.8K¥121.8K
-41.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.16¥261
$52.2¥357
-26.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.53¥65.1
$8.70¥59.4
9.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.34¥77.5
$13.58¥92.7
-16.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.05¥280
$46.31¥316
-11.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.87¥94.7
$20.45¥140
-32.18%
Cinema Ticket
$5.48¥37.41
$8.26¥56.5
-33.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$467¥3,187
$1,266¥8,649
-63.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.0K¥116.1K
$31.9K¥218.2K
-46.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.43¥133
$59.8¥408
-67.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.93¥184
$38.23¥261
-29.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.4¥385
$77.2¥527
-26.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.0¥553
$96.2¥657
-15.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$284¥1,938
$948¥6,478
-70.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$191¥1,304
$572¥3,908
-66.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593¥4,050
$2,473¥16.9K
-76.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365¥2,491
$1,206¥8,239
-69.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,220¥22.0K
$14.1K¥96.2K
-77.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,949¥13.3K
$7,213¥49.3K
-72.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jieyang
Shanghai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,068¥7,295
$1,682¥11.5K
-36.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.56
3.58
-0.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jieyang: April 12, 2026
Last update for Shanghai: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $284 in Jieyang and $948 in Shanghai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Shanghai pays 57% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $12 in Jieyang vs $36 in Shanghai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $228 per month, with Jieyang cheaper across the board.
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
Jieyang vs Shanghai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jieyang or Shanghai?
Jieyang wins on cost – living expenses run 83% lower than in Shanghai. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Jieyang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Jieyang or Shanghai?
On paper, Shanghai earns 57% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Jieyang vs Shanghai?
Rent for a central apartment: $284 in Jieyang versus $948 in Shanghai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Jieyang compared to Shanghai?
All in, you'll spend $653 per month in Jieyang versus $1,194 in Shanghai – a 83% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Jieyang vs Shanghai?
A monthly transit pass in Jieyang runs roughly 112% less than in Shanghai. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Jieyang or Shanghai?
At $653 in Jieyang versus $1,194 in Shanghai, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jieyang but tight or insufficient in Shanghai. The gap between the two cities makes Jieyang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Jieyang or Shanghai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Jieyang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Shanghai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.