Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and China Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and China

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 131.1% more expensive than China without rent, and 250% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 136% more expensive than China without rent, and 205.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
China
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.97 $19.97
$2.82 ¥19.51
608.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7 $74.7
$23.62 ¥163
216.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.40 $11.40
$4.97 ¥34.35
129.38%
Cappuccino
$5.37 $5.37
$3.14 ¥21.66
71.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$0.44 ¥3.07
497.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.27 ¥1.84
662.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.90 $5.90
$0.93 ¥6.40
534.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.02 $7.02
$2.08 ¥14.37
237.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
China
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.84 ¥12.70
-40.76%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$1.62 ¥11.17
119.14%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$0.96 ¥6.62
392.71%
Eggs
$4.30 $4.30
$1.56 ¥10.76
175.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.01 $13.01
$13.18 ¥91.1
-1.29%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.22 $12.22
$3.21 ¥22.15
280.69%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.36 $16.36
$10.89 ¥75.3
50.23%
Apples (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$1.77 ¥12.20
194.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.25 ¥8.64
36.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$1.52 ¥10.53
201.97%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$1.15 ¥7.95
332.17%
Potato (1kg)
$2.98 $2.98
$0.76 ¥5.28
292.11%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$0.89 ¥6.14
241.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.61 ¥4.24
270.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$0.54 ¥3.72
301.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.83 $9.83
$3.38 ¥23.33
190.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$11.67 ¥80.6
29.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$0.78 ¥5.39
144.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$1.67 ¥11.54
114.37%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
China
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.43 ¥2.98
479.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.1 $66.1
$20.93 ¥145
215.86%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$1.41 ¥9.74
170.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$0.35 ¥2.44
408.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.48 $29.48
$6.48 ¥44.78
354.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$1.16 ¥8.04
-21.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$19.3K ¥133.1K
53.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$17.0K ¥117.4K
53.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
China
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$51.3 ¥354
302.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.9 $56.9
$9.84 ¥68.0
478.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.8 $72.8
$11.49 ¥79.4
533.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
China
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.23 $45.23
$40.28 ¥278
12.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.84 $21.84
$14.78 ¥102
47.77%
Cinema Ticket
$13.79 $13.79
$6.41 ¥44.30
115.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
China
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,355 $1,355
$403 ¥2,787
235.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.6K $22.6K
$17.9K ¥123.5K
26.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
China
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$45.91 ¥317
11.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.37 $42.37
$32.39 ¥224
30.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 $88.6
$71.2 ¥492
24.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$74.0 ¥511
55.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
China
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,763 $1,763
$436 ¥3,013
304.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,432 $1,432
$254 ¥1,752
464.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,827 $2,827
$900 ¥6,219
214.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,358 $2,358
$548 ¥3,787
330.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,391 $3,391
$5,140 ¥35.5K
-34.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,614 $2,614
$2,676 ¥18.5K
-2.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
China
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,326 $4,326
$1,024 ¥7,079
322.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
4.06
60.34%

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

Last update for United States: March 3, 2026

Last update for China: March 3, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated January 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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