😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,208 in San Fernando versus $1,140 in Zhubei City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,964 in San Fernando versus $2,070 in Zhubei City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,720 in San Fernando versus $3,001 in Zhubei City.
🌍Living in San Fernando is roughly 6% more expensive than in Zhubei City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: San Fernando10% lower, Zhubei City15% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.42TTD 70.2
$5.19NT$168
100.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.9TTD 404
$34.12NT$1,103
75.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.22TTD 48.69
$5.68NT$184
27.11%
Cappuccino
$3.65TTD 24.60
$3.56NT$115
2.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04TTD 7.01
$0.91NT$29.25
14.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77TTD 5.17
$0.62NT$20.04
24.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.90TTD 12.81
$2.24NT$72.2
-15.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53TTD 17.07
$2.76NT$89.0
-8.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.99TTD 13.42
$3.11NT$101
-36.01%
White Bread(500g)
$2.35TTD 15.85
$2.06NT$66.5
14.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.58TTD 17.36
$4.34NT$140
-40.55%
Eggs
$3.75TTD 25.25
$2.91NT$94.0
28.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.14TTD 54.9
$13.84NT$447
-41.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.55TTD 71.1
$8.46NT$273
24.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.92TTD 60.1
$28.32NT$915
-68.50%
Apples(1kg)
$5.72TTD 38.52
$4.34NT$140
31.80%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53TTD 17.08
$2.63NT$85.1
-3.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.23TTD 28.49
$2.73NT$88.1
54.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.77TTD 32.14
$3.91NT$126
21.99%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28TTD 8.61
$4.04NT$131
-68.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76TTD 5.14
$2.53NT$81.7
-69.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47TTD 9.90
$2.64NT$85.4
-44.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.15TTD 7.78
$1.33NT$42.84
-13.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.76TTD 38.81
$3.97NT$128
45.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.58TTD 119
$8.74NT$282
101.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51TTD 10.18
$1.57NT$50.7
-3.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76TTD 18.58
$2.83NT$91.5
-2.47%
🚌 Getting Around
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43TTD 2.87
$0.65NT$21.03
-33.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.70TTD 295
$39.36NT$1,272
11.03%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92TTD 6.19
$3.35NT$108
-72.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92TTD 6.21
$0.58NT$18.90
58.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.93TTD 101
$10.04NT$324
48.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04TTD 7.04
$1.07NT$34.55
-2.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8KTTD 227.8K
$40.9KNT$1.3M
-17.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7KTTD 260.7K
$27.3KNT$880.5K
41.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.01TTD 303
$91.7NT$2,963
-50.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$42.58TTD 287
$33.73NT$1,090
26.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.34TTD 306
$24.46NT$790
85.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.63TTD 308
$33.75NT$1,091
35.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.99TTD 60.6
$15.19NT$491
-40.82%
Cinema Ticket
$9.03TTD 60.9
$11.68NT$377
-22.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$331TTD 2,228
$703NT$22.7K
-53.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,261TTD 15.2K
$15.5KNT$501.2K
-85.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.48TTD 300
$84.4NT$2,727
-47.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.86TTD 248
$47.17NT$1,524
-21.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.6TTD 591
$101NT$3,255
-13.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.2TTD 608
$114NT$3,670
-20.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$552TTD 3,718
$438NT$14.1K
26.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$349TTD 2,350
$212NT$6,842
64.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$953TTD 6,421
$1,202NT$38.8K
-20.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$691TTD 4,656
$857NT$27.7K
-19.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,957TTD 13.2K
$16.4KNT$528.3K
-88.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,485TTD 10.0K
$9,443NT$305.1K
-84.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,043TTD 7,030
$2,391NT$77.2K
-56.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.38
2.4
124.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for San Fernando: July 12, 2026
Last update for Zhubei City: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $552 in San Fernando and $438 in Zhubei City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zhubei City pays 129% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $60.0 in San Fernando vs $34.00 in Zhubei City. Groceries flip the comparison at $331 vs $392, with San Fernando cheaper for home cooking.
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
San Fernando vs Zhubei City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zhubei City cheaper than San Fernando?
Zhubei City is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 6% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: San Fernando or Zhubei City?
On paper, salaries run 129% lower in Zhubei City. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between San Fernando and Zhubei City?
Rent for a central apartment: $552 in San Fernando versus $438 in Zhubei City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in San Fernando or in Zhubei City?
Dining out is cheaper in Zhubei City – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $60.0 in San Fernando. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in San Fernando and in Zhubei City?
All in, you'll spend $1,208 per month in San Fernando versus $1,140 in Zhubei City – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in San Fernando or in Zhubei City?
At $1,140 in Zhubei City versus $1,208 in San Fernando, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Zhubei City but tight or insufficient in San Fernando. The gap between the two cities makes Zhubei City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in San Fernando or in Zhubei City?
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 safer, San Fernando or Zhubei City?
Safety-wise, San Fernando and Zhubei City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Zhubei City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in San Fernando. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
San Fernando vs other spots: cost of living compared