Cost of Living in Guangzhou (Canton) - Updated Prices & Insights

37.3
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $548 (excluding rent), and $859 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,268 (excluding rent), and $2,005 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.76 ¥19.79
$2.07 ¥14.82
$4.94 ¥35.46
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.88 ¥157
$16.41 ¥118
$41.03 ¥294
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.99 ¥35.79
$4.28 ¥30.72
$5.71 ¥40.93
Cappuccino
$3.04 ¥21.79
$1.65 ¥11.82
$4.8 ¥34.46
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ¥3.3
$0.4 ¥2.89
$0.67 ¥4.82
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.3 ¥2.15
$0.27 ¥1.94
$0.47 ¥3.4
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.96 ¥6.87
$0.69 ¥4.96
$2.48 ¥17.78
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.7 ¥12.16
$1.13 ¥8.08
$2.83 ¥20.32
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.97 ¥14.11
$1.4 ¥10.04
$2.83 ¥20.29
White Bread (500g)
$2.09 ¥14.98
$1.13 ¥8.11
$3.69 ¥26.45
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.25 ¥8.98
$0.83 ¥5.94
$2.06 ¥14.78
Eggs
$1.59 ¥11.38
$1.14 ¥8.2
$2.23 ¥16.03
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.9 ¥136
$8.35 ¥59.9
$41.72 ¥299
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.67 ¥33.49
$1.83 ¥13.12
$9.43 ¥67.6
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.34 ¥103
$5.65 ¥40.55
$24.93 ¥179
Apples (1kg)
$2.03 ¥14.55
$1.36 ¥9.77
$3.41 ¥24.47
Banana (1kg)
$1.21 ¥8.7
$0.83 ¥5.94
$2.75 ¥19.73
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ¥14.15
$1.12 ¥8.01
$3.64 ¥26.13
Tomato (1kg)
$1.47 ¥10.57
$0.71 ¥5.1
$2.27 ¥16.25
Potato (1kg)
$0.94 ¥6.76
$0.58 ¥4.16
$1.44 ¥10.33
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ¥7.57
$0.69 ¥4.95
$1.65 ¥11.81
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.52 ¥3.73
$0.16 ¥1.18
$0.93 ¥6.71
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 ¥4.62
$0.43 ¥3.08
$0.86 ¥6.16
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.81 ¥27.31
$3.46 ¥24.81
$6.23 ¥44.7
Wine (Bottle)
$12.81 ¥91.9
$4.9 ¥35.12
$28 ¥201
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 ¥6.71
$0.68 ¥4.85
$1.15 ¥8.24
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.4 ¥10.01
$1.09 ¥7.82
$2.05 ¥14.73
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 ¥2.92
$0.27 ¥1.95
$0.68 ¥4.87
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$25.2 ¥181
$11.2 ¥80.3
$42 ¥301
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.71 ¥12.27
$1.71 ¥12.27
$1.85 ¥13.3
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 ¥2.67
$0.37 ¥2.67
$0.42 ¥3.04
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.16 ¥44.19
$4.15 ¥29.79
$8.31 ¥59.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ¥8.45
$1.07 ¥7.64
$1.28 ¥9.19
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ¥151.3K
$16.3K ¥116.8K
$22.5K ¥161.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9K ¥143.1K
$16.6K ¥118.9K
$25.5K ¥183.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.7 ¥442
$42.35 ¥304
$92.9 ¥666
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.77 ¥91.6
$6.18 ¥44.32
$17.56 ¥126
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.39 ¥81.7
$8.21 ¥58.9
$20.51 ¥147
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.86 ¥300
$13.05 ¥93.6
$112 ¥805
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.89 ¥99.6
$4.17 ¥29.89
$34.7 ¥249
Cinema Ticket
$6.35 ¥45.56
$4.83 ¥34.62
$8.28 ¥59.4
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$318 ¥2,283
$141 ¥1,010
$634 ¥4,546
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.2K ¥115.9K
$8,418 ¥60.4K
$24K ¥172.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.67 ¥299
$14.17 ¥102
$70.8 ¥508
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.16 ¥202
$16.58 ¥119
$55.3 ¥396
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.8 ¥494
$41.24 ¥296
$110 ¥789
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.5 ¥441
$35.13 ¥252
$98.4 ¥706
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$489 ¥3,509
$279 ¥1,998
$975 ¥6,992
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$264 ¥1,891
$205 ¥1,469
$546 ¥3,916
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,155 ¥8,286
$844 ¥6,053
$1,688 ¥12.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$624 ¥4,477
$462 ¥3,312
$979 ¥7,026
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$9,536 ¥68.4K
$6,936 ¥49.8K
$13.9K ¥99.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,779 ¥27.1K
$2,751 ¥19.7K
$5,502 ¥39.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,226 ¥8,796
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.08
3.1
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Guangzhou (Canton) - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Guangzhou compare for affordability and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Guangzhou offers a balanced mix of affordability and modern living for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Cost of Living in Guangzhou (Canton), China sits at a comfortable level for long stays, with diverse housing options from older apartments to newer towers at varied price points. You’ll find good value in everyday food, markets, and public transit that is extensive and inexpensive. A strong cafe and coworking scene supports remote work, while healthcare and utilities remain reasonable. Seasonal heat can influence energy use, but autumn and early spring are pleasant for exploring. Tip: scout a couple of neighborhoods and compare commute, noise, and access to amenities before choosing a base.
What does daily life look like in Guangzhou for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Guangzhou blends comfort and practicality. Housing ranges from compact central flats to larger suburban apartments, with flexible leases and options for shared accommodations. Food choices span cheap stalls, neighborhood eateries, and modern supermarkets, letting you tailor meals to budget and taste. Transit is robust: a clean metro system, reliable buses, and ride-hailing are common for longer trips. For errands, markets and supermarkets handle most needs, while coworking spaces and cafes support work routines. Guangzhou (Canton), China living cost tends to reward longer stays where you can lock in better rates with longer leases. Tip: map your week around market hours and peak commute times to save time and money.
What about quality of life, budgeting frameworks, ways to save, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Guangzhou blends convenience with cultural richness. You’ll find reliable services, diverse dining, and a pace that suits many digital nomads, plus generous green spaces along the Pearl River. A practical budgeting framework helps: allocate housing first, then utilities, food, and transport, with a cushion for occasional weekend splurges. Seasonality matters; hot, humid summers push you toward indoor plans, while milder autumns invite outdoor explorations. Neighborhood feel varies from modern, transit-centered zones to historic markets and riverfront areas, so test a few areas before committing. Tip: choose a base within easy reach of your work or study hub and a reliable grocery route.
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