πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,037 in Shenzhen versus $2,475 in Yorkton.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,659 in Shenzhen versus $3,241 in Yorkton.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,280 in Shenzhen versus $4,006 in Yorkton.
πLiving in Shenzhen costs roughly 58% less than in Yorkton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Shenzhen is 23% below, Yorkton is 85% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13Β₯21.18
$14.49CA$20.13
-78.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.51Β₯186
$44.51CA$61.8
-38.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.06Β₯34.26
$10.18CA$14.14
-50.29%
Cappuccino
$3.33Β₯22.52
$2.23CA$3.10
49.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48Β₯3.25
$2.41CA$3.35
-80.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Β₯1.89
$2.01CA$2.79
-86.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.22Β₯8.29
$5.77CA$8.01
-78.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83Β₯19.14
$7.29CA$10.13
-61.18%
π Groceries & Markets
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73Β₯11.72
$3.06CA$4.25
-43.46%
White Bread(500g)
$1.97Β₯13.36
$2.82CA$3.92
-30.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.23Β₯8.35
$1.26CA$1.74
-2.38%
Eggs
$1.94Β₯13.10
$3.66CA$5.08
-46.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.76Β₯86.3
$9.55CA$13.28
33.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.05Β₯27.43
$12.34CA$17.14
-67.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.47Β₯91.2
$16.59CA$23.04
-18.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88Β₯12.69
$4.28CA$5.95
-56.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41Β₯9.54
$1.24CA$1.73
13.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.82Β₯12.33
$4.85CA$6.74
-62.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.34Β₯9.09
$3.17CA$4.41
-57.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.05Β₯7.10
$2.94CA$4.09
-64.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.46Β₯9.91
$1.60CA$2.22
-8.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71Β₯4.78
$2.73CA$3.79
-73.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57Β₯3.83
$1.22CA$1.69
-53.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.38Β₯22.88
$14.35CA$19.94
-76.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.92Β₯87.4
$14.01CA$19.47
-7.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94Β₯6.39
$3.28CA$4.55
-71.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87Β₯12.65
$3.37CA$4.69
-44.51%
π Getting Around
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40Β₯2.72
$2.34CA$3.25
-82.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.76Β₯147
$62.8CA$87.2
-65.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.63Β₯11.02
$3.68CA$5.11
-55.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Β₯2.36
$1.23CA$1.70
-71.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.02Β₯47.49
$14.94CA$20.76
-53.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18Β₯7.99
$1.08CA$1.51
9.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9KΒ₯154.9K
$24.7KCA$34.4K
-7.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7KΒ₯140.3K
$20.8KCA$28.9K
-0.37%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.3Β₯442
$212CA$294
-69.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.20Β₯55.5
$57.8CA$80.4
-85.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.05Β₯88.3
$71.5CA$99.3
-81.74%
π Sport & Entertainment
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.3Β₯340
$42.03CA$58.4
19.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.39Β₯118
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.86Β₯46.46
$14.63CA$20.32
-53.11%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$457Β₯3,092
$527CA$732
-13.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.8KΒ₯141.1K
$15.1KCA$20.9K
38.39%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.25Β₯333
$73.0CA$101
-32.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.67Β₯208
$55.0CA$76.4
-44.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.2Β₯502
$94.2CA$131
-21.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.2Β₯543
$115CA$160
-30.48%
π Accommodation & Living
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$737Β₯4,987
$866CA$1,204
-14.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$411Β₯2,783
$1,186CA$1,647
-65.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,692Β₯11.4K
$1,118CA$1,554
51.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$903Β₯6,112
$1,341CA$1,864
-32.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$13.1KΒ₯89.0K
$4,549CA$6,320
188.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,222Β₯42.1K
$3,816CA$5,302
63.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Shenzhen
Yorkton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,665Β₯11.3K
$2,690CA$3,737
-38.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.04
6.65
-39.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shenzhen: May 31, 2026
Last update for Yorkton: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $737 in Shenzhen and $866 in Yorkton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Yorkton pays 62% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $28.00 in Shenzhen vs $45.00 in Yorkton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $230 vs $371 per month, with Shenzhen 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
Shenzhen vs Yorkton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Shenzhen or Yorkton?
Shenzhen wins on cost β living expenses run 139% lower than in Yorkton. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Shenzhen the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Shenzhen or Yorkton?
On paper, Yorkton earns 62% 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 Shenzhen vs Yorkton?
Rent for a central apartment: $737 in Shenzhen versus $866 in Yorkton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Shenzhen vs Yorkton?
A monthly transit pass in Shenzhen runs roughly 188% less than in Yorkton. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Shenzhen and Yorkton?
Childcare runs $457 in Shenzhen versus $527 in Yorkton. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Shenzhen or Yorkton?
At $1,037 in Shenzhen versus $2,475 in Yorkton, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Shenzhen but tight or insufficient in Yorkton. The gap between the two cities makes Shenzhen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Shenzhen or Yorkton?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Shenzhen gentler on the wallet β expenses run 139% less than in Yorkton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.