🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $526 in Valenzuela versus $594 in Zhenjiang.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $894 in Valenzuela versus $1,011 in Zhenjiang.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,262 in Valenzuela versus $1,427 in Zhenjiang.
🙂Living in Valenzuela costs roughly 11% less than in Zhenjiang, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Valenzuela61% lower, Zhenjiang56% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.70₱164
$2.85¥19.27
-5.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.80₱2,174
$26.74¥181
33.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$1.72₱104
$4.90¥33.15
-64.90%
Cappuccino
$2.24₱136
$2.13¥14.42
5.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87₱52.6
$0.29¥1.96
200.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28₱17.20
$0.20¥1.35
40.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.38₱83.7
$1.07¥7.21
28.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29₱78.6
$1.64¥11.10
-21.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64₱99.7
$1.70¥11.46
-3.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.34₱81.5
$1.36¥9.19
-1.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.76₱46.43
$0.80¥5.41
-5.00%
Eggs
$1.52₱92.2
$1.74¥11.76
-12.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.84₱476
$5.64¥38.11
39.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.26₱198
$2.63¥17.81
23.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.61₱401
$9.45¥63.9
-30.05%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79₱109
$1.62¥10.98
10.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.03₱62.7
$1.69¥11.40
-39.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08₱65.7
$1.66¥11.21
-34.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.40₱84.9
$1.20¥8.14
16.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.66₱101
$0.76¥5.16
118.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.73₱166
$0.91¥6.17
200.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04₱63.1
$0.44¥2.97
136.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51₱30.89
$0.27¥1.81
88.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76₱168
$4.21¥28.48
-34.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.28₱503
$11.86¥80.2
-30.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67₱40.57
$0.69¥4.68
-2.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00₱60.5
$1.37¥9.24
-27.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26₱15.71
$0.29¥1.99
-10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$6.75¥45.68
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72₱43.79
$1.23¥8.34
-41.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.12₱7.28
$0.43¥2.90
-72.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.08₱126
$4.09¥27.66
-49.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15₱70.0
$1.12¥7.57
2.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.2K₱803.5K
$16.5K¥111.6K
-19.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.4K₱872.8K
$16.9K¥114.3K
-14.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.4₱4,458
$43.56¥295
68.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.15₱2,013
$11.59¥78.4
186.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.47₱1,607
$11.93¥80.7
121.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.33₱1,295
$41.61¥281
-48.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.33₱263
$28.05¥190
-84.56%
Cinema Ticket
$5.61₱341
$6.11¥41.33
-8.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.28₱2,203
$418¥2,826
-91.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,325₱262.6K
$16.7K¥112.9K
-74.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.09₱2,799
$41.50¥281
11.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.99₱546
$27.60¥187
-67.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.2₱3,227
$42.55¥288
24.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.40₱2,696
$41.35¥280
7.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$134₱8,149
$208¥1,407
-35.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$61.4₱3,725
$141¥951
-56.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$197₱12.0K
$489¥3,307
-59.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$157₱9,519
$355¥2,399
-55.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,634₱160.0K
$1,959¥13.2K
34.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$999₱60.7K
$888¥6,008
12.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$554₱33.6K
$943¥6,375
-41.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.5
3.83
43.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valenzuela: June 6, 2026
Last update for Zhenjiang: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $134 in Valenzuela and $208 in Zhenjiang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zhenjiang pays 70% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $36.00 in Valenzuela vs $27.00 in Zhenjiang. Groceries flip the comparison at $168 vs $169, with Valenzuela 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
Valenzuela vs Zhenjiang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
Valenzuela wins on cost – living expenses run 13% lower than in Zhenjiang. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Valenzuela the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
On paper, Zhenjiang earns 70% 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 Valenzuela vs Zhenjiang?
Rent for a central apartment: $134 in Valenzuela versus $208 in Zhenjiang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Zhenjiang. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Valenzuela compared to Zhenjiang?
All in, you'll spend $526 per month in Valenzuela versus $594 in Zhenjiang – a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Valenzuela gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
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.
How safe is Valenzuela compared to Zhenjiang?
Safety-wise, Valenzuela and Zhenjiang 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Valenzuela gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Zhenjiang. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Valenzuela vs other spots: cost of living compared