😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $756 in Valenzuela versus $709 in Zhenjiang.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,136 in Valenzuela versus $1,203 in Zhenjiang.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,515 in Valenzuela versus $1,696 in Zhenjiang.
🌍Living in Valenzuela is roughly 7% more expensive than in Zhenjiang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Valenzuela45% lower, Zhenjiang48% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.91₱245
$3.03¥20.29
29.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.66₱1,045
$29.81¥200
-44.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.85₱178
$4.49¥30.10
-36.53%
Cappuccino
$2.04₱128
$2.60¥17.41
-21.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59₱37.21
$0.61¥4.12
-3.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30₱19.08
$0.38¥2.57
-21.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.29₱81.0
$1.18¥7.89
9.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56₱98.1
$2.33¥15.63
-33.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61₱101
$1.82¥12.18
-11.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16₱72.5
$1.47¥9.83
-21.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03₱64.8
$0.91¥6.12
13.19%
Eggs
$2.01₱126
$1.55¥10.40
29.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.07₱318
$14.28¥95.7
-64.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.31₱208
$3.04¥20.34
8.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.82₱428
$12.98¥87.0
-47.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.36₱148
$1.78¥11.91
32.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55₱96.9
$1.77¥11.83
-12.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.32₱146
$1.81¥12.15
28.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.03₱64.6
$1.69¥11.29
-39.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.67₱105
$0.84¥5.62
98.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70₱107
$0.96¥6.45
77.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63₱39.35
$0.43¥2.90
46.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56₱34.84
$0.58¥3.87
-3.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.67₱168
$3.65¥24.46
-26.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.83₱491
$10.25¥68.7
-23.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92₱57.9
$0.89¥5.98
3.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97₱124
$1.62¥10.88
21.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23₱14.44
$0.14¥0.96
64.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.26₱707
$7.31¥48.98
54.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.61₱38.44
$1.47¥9.84
-58.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₱14.46
$0.46¥3.11
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.86₱117
$4.48¥30.02
-58.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19₱74.4
$1.26¥8.41
-5.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9K₱1.3M
$18.2K¥121.9K
14.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2K₱1.2M
$17.8K¥119.0K
8.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$143₱8,941
$58.8¥394
142.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.21₱1,016
$8.78¥58.8
84.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.54₱1,978
$7.62¥51.0
313.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.28₱2,024
$45.46¥304
-28.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.07₱255
$29.58¥198
-86.24%
Cinema Ticket
$6.33₱397
$9.17¥61.4
-30.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$131₱8,221
$446¥2,985
-70.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,356₱461.4K
$28.5K¥190.9K
-74.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.51₱1,788
$45.02¥302
-36.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.41₱1,218
$29.22¥196
-33.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.9₱4,574
$66.8¥448
9.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.1₱3,455
$81.4¥545
-32.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$249₱15.6K
$219¥1,468
13.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$145₱9,125
$150¥1,008
-3.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$527₱33.1K
$516¥3,458
2.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$397₱24.9K
$375¥2,513
5.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,318₱145.4K
$2,038¥13.6K
13.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,102₱69.1K
$908¥6,080
21.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valenzuela
Zhenjiang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$579₱36.3K
$970¥6,495
-40.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.75
3.38
99.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valenzuela: September 14, 2026
Last update for Zhenjiang: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $249 in Valenzuela and $219 in Zhenjiang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zhenjiang pays 67% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $17.00 in Valenzuela vs $30.00 in Zhenjiang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $169 vs $216 per month, with Valenzuela 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
Valenzuela vs Zhenjiang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Valenzuela or Zhenjiang?
Zhenjiang wins on cost – living expenses run 7% lower than in Valenzuela. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Zhenjiang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Valenzuela or in Zhenjiang?
On paper, salaries run 67% lower in Zhenjiang. 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 compared to Zhenjiang?
Rent for a central apartment: $249 in Valenzuela versus $219 in Zhenjiang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Valenzuela or in Zhenjiang?
Shoppers in Valenzuela pay roughly 28% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Valenzuela and in Zhenjiang?
Dining out is cheaper in Zhenjiang – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $17.00 in Valenzuela. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Valenzuela or in Zhenjiang?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Zhenjiang 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 Zhenjiang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Valenzuela. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Valenzuela vs other spots: cost of living compared