😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,226 in San Fernando versus $1,119 in Zhubei City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,977 in San Fernando versus $2,029 in Zhubei City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,727 in San Fernando versus $2,940 in Zhubei City.
😐Living in San Fernando is roughly 10% more expensive than Zhubei City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: San Fernando9% lower, Zhubei City17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.25TTD 68.7
$4.96NT$156
106.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.0TTD 395
$34.24NT$1,078
72.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.46TTD 50.0
$5.67NT$178
31.57%
Cappuccino
$3.64TTD 24.37
$3.70NT$117
-1.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05TTD 7.03
$0.98NT$30.95
7.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80TTD 5.33
$0.63NT$19.82
26.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.88TTD 12.61
$2.26NT$71.2
-16.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46TTD 16.51
$2.69NT$84.8
-8.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.08TTD 13.92
$3.25NT$102
-36.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.26TTD 15.13
$1.99NT$62.8
13.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.68TTD 17.98
$4.34NT$137
-38.25%
Eggs
$3.94TTD 26.38
$3.02NT$94.9
30.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.88TTD 52.8
$13.73NT$432
-42.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.55TTD 70.7
$8.74NT$275
20.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.48TTD 56.8
$27.81NT$875
-69.51%
Apples(1kg)
$5.78TTD 38.76
$4.38NT$138
31.96%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45TTD 16.42
$2.58NT$81.1
-5.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.33TTD 28.98
$2.78NT$87.4
55.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.87TTD 32.63
$3.95NT$124
23.29%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24TTD 8.28
$4.02NT$126
-69.15%
Onion(1kg)
$0.72TTD 4.84
$2.53NT$79.8
-71.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.50TTD 10.08
$2.65NT$83.3
-43.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16TTD 7.80
$1.39NT$43.61
-16.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.59TTD 37.46
$4.17NT$131
34.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.41TTD 117
$9.15NT$288
90.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57TTD 10.52
$1.57NT$49.53
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72TTD 18.19
$2.70NT$84.9
0.74%
🚌 Getting Around
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.46TTD 3.08
$0.65NT$20.38
-29.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.74TTD 300
$38.26NT$1,204
16.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85TTD 5.72
$3.40NT$107
-75.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90TTD 6.03
$0.63NT$19.76
42.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.74TTD 98.7
$10.19NT$321
44.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99TTD 6.66
$1.03NT$32.39
-3.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1KTTD 228.3K
$41.8KNT$1.3M
-18.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.8KTTD 260.2K
$27.2KNT$855.7K
42.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.85TTD 294
$93.0NT$2,928
-52.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$42.08TTD 282
$33.79NT$1,064
24.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.12TTD 309
$24.60NT$774
87.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.08TTD 315
$34.24NT$1,078
37.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.08TTD 60.8
$15.27NT$481
-40.54%
Cinema Ticket
$9.08TTD 60.8
$11.76NT$370
-22.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$330TTD 2,208
$690NT$21.7K
-52.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,245TTD 15.0K
$15.2KNT$479.2K
-85.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.72TTD 300
$85.4NT$2,688
-47.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.91TTD 247
$47.83NT$1,505
-22.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.2TTD 604
$99.9NT$3,144
-9.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.9TTD 589
$115NT$3,614
-23.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$542TTD 3,630
$427NT$13.4K
27.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$342TTD 2,290
$212NT$6,684
60.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$949TTD 6,356
$1,180NT$37.1K
-19.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$681TTD 4,564
$863NT$27.2K
-21.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,002TTD 13.4K
$16.8KNT$527.5K
-88.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,488TTD 9,970
$9,937NT$312.8K
-85.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Fernando
Zhubei City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,029TTD 6,891
$2,432NT$76.6K
-57.71%
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: June 2, 2026
Last update for Zhubei City: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $542 in San Fernando and $427 in Zhubei City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zhubei City pays 136% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $59.0 in San Fernando vs $34.00 in Zhubei City. Groceries flip the comparison at $330 vs $394, 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 10% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: San Fernando or Zhubei City?
On paper, Zhubei City earns 136% less. 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: $542 in San Fernando versus $427 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 Zhubei City?
Dining out is cheaper in Zhubei City – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $59.0 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 vs Zhubei City?
All in, you'll spend $1,226 per month in San Fernando versus $1,119 in Zhubei City – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for San Fernando or Zhubei City?
At $1,119 in Zhubei City versus $1,226 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 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 10% 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