Cost of Living Comparison Between Shenzhen and Xining Cost of Living Comparison Between Shenzhen and Xining

😐 Solo nomad: Shenzhen is 16.3% more expensive than Xining without rent, and 43.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Shenzhen is 18.6% more expensive than Xining without rent, and 43.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.12 Β₯21.34
$2.86 Β₯19.53
9.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.87 Β₯190
$21.57 Β₯147
29.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.15 Β₯35.17
$4.74 Β₯32.36
8.65%
Cappuccino
$3.17 Β₯21.67
$2.99 Β₯20.44
6.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 Β₯3.58
$0.44 Β₯2.99
18.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 Β₯2.06
$0.27 Β₯1.83
11.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.27 Β₯8.70
$0.94 Β₯6.40
35.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 Β₯19.26
$2.06 Β₯14.04
36.89%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.83 Β₯12.47
$1.87 Β₯12.78
-2.14%
White Bread (500g)
$1.94 Β₯13.26
$1.56 Β₯10.63
24.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 Β₯8.03
$0.95 Β₯6.50
24.21%
Eggs
$1.87 Β₯12.76
$1.53 Β₯10.46
22.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.81 Β₯87.5
$12.96 Β₯88.5
-1.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.86 Β₯26.35
$3.25 Β₯22.22
18.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.49 Β₯92.2
$10.25 Β₯70.0
31.61%
Apples (1kg)
$1.83 Β₯12.49
$1.83 Β₯12.49
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 Β₯9.68
$1.22 Β₯8.31
16.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 Β₯11.82
$1.54 Β₯10.54
12.34%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.39 Β₯9.50
$1.15 Β₯7.86
20.87%
Potato (1kg)
$1.06 Β₯7.25
$0.70 Β₯4.77
51.43%
Onion (1kg)
$1.42 Β₯9.70
$0.90 Β₯6.14
57.78%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.69 Β₯4.71
$0.57 Β₯3.88
21.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60 Β₯4.12
$0.55 Β₯3.73
9.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.38 Β₯23.07
$3.21 Β₯21.90
5.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.51 Β₯99.1
$10.53 Β₯71.9
37.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93 Β₯6.32
$0.79 Β₯5.42
17.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 Β₯12.67
$1.66 Β₯11.37
12.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.44 Β₯3.01
$0.27 Β₯1.82
62.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.43 Β₯153
$16.49 Β₯113
36.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.64 Β₯11.20
$1.37 Β₯9.39
19.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 Β₯2.37
$0.35 Β₯2.41
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.85 Β₯46.79
$6.83 Β₯46.63
0.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 Β₯7.74
$1.13 Β₯7.75
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7K Β₯155.3K
$19.2K Β₯131.0K
18.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K Β₯141.2K
$17.0K Β₯116.0K
21.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$67.5 Β₯461
$45.01 Β₯307
49.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.23 Β₯56.2
$10.09 Β₯68.9
-18.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.77 Β₯87.3
$11.78 Β₯80.4
8.40%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.87 Β₯341
$41.19 Β₯281
21.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.30 Β₯118
$13.86 Β₯94.7
24.82%
Cinema Ticket
$7.13 Β₯48.69
$5.91 Β₯40.34
20.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$454 Β₯3,099
$333 Β₯2,273
36.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.3K Β₯138.5K
$16.9K Β₯115.7K
19.76%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.09 Β₯328
$44.34 Β₯303
8.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.71 Β₯210
$30.77 Β₯210
-0.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.9 Β₯525
$71.5 Β₯488
7.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7 Β₯537
$70.9 Β₯484
10.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$728 Β₯4,973
$282 Β₯1,929
157.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$402 Β₯2,747
$196 Β₯1,340
104.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,674 Β₯11.4K
$585 Β₯3,998
185.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$927 Β₯6,329
$355 Β₯2,423
161.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$13.3K Β₯90.7K
$3,028 Β₯20.7K
338.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,100 Β₯41.7K
$2,041 Β₯13.9K
198.88%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Shenzhen
Xining
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,640 Β₯11.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.04
3.89
3.86%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Shenzhen: April 12, 2026

Last update for Xining: April 12, 2026

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

Shenzhen vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities