Cost of Living in Guilin - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $475 (excluding rent), and $692 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,116 (excluding rent), and $1,482 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.15 ¥29.8
$2.08 ¥14.9
$4.15 ¥29.8
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.63 ¥134
$16.56 ¥119
$20.7 ¥148
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.42 ¥24.53
$3.42 ¥24.53
$3.42 ¥24.53
Cappuccino
$2.59 ¥18.59
$2.45 ¥17.61
$2.73 ¥19.57
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ¥5.48
$0.37 ¥2.63
$1.16 ¥8.33
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥2.1
$0.26 ¥1.87
$0.44 ¥3.14
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.02 ¥7.3
$0.69 ¥4.91
$1.36 ¥9.76
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 ¥14.85
$1.38 ¥9.87
$2.76 ¥19.82
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 ¥9.72
$1.35 ¥9.72
$1.35 ¥9.72
White Bread (500g)
$1.43 ¥10.23
$0.72 ¥5.15
$2.14 ¥15.38
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.63 ¥4.5
$0.44 ¥3.15
$0.73 ¥5.25
Eggs
$1.7 ¥12.18
$1.36 ¥9.77
$2.04 ¥14.66
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.97 ¥85.9
$6.49 ¥46.56
$24.68 ¥177
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.19 ¥22.92
$1.69 ¥12.15
$5.65 ¥40.52
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.27 ¥59.4
$6.89 ¥49.41
$9.65 ¥69.2
Apples (1kg)
$1.78 ¥12.77
$1.12 ¥8.05
$2.82 ¥20.24
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 ¥9.14
$0.87 ¥6.24
$2.16 ¥15.53
Oranges (1kg)
$1.35 ¥9.71
$0.82 ¥5.87
$2.17 ¥15.58
Tomato (1kg)
$1.14 ¥8.14
$0.72 ¥5.14
$1.99 ¥14.31
Potato (1kg)
$0.72 ¥5.18
$0.36 ¥2.59
$1.14 ¥8.21
Onion (1kg)
$0.98 ¥7
$0.58 ¥4.17
$1.44 ¥10.35
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.56 ¥4
$0.27 ¥1.93
$1.07 ¥7.65
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 ¥6.71
$0.43 ¥3.1
$1.43 ¥10.26
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.11 ¥22.32
$2.77 ¥19.89
$4.43 ¥31.8
Wine (Bottle)
$11.79 ¥84.5
$5.54 ¥39.77
$19.34 ¥139
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 ¥6.77
$0.73 ¥5.21
$1.15 ¥8.26
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 ¥11.83
$0.99 ¥7.08
$2.84 ¥20.37
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 ¥1.92
$0.27 ¥1.92
$0.27 ¥1.92
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.37 ¥132
$9.19 ¥65.9
$18.37 ¥132
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 ¥6.63
$0.92 ¥6.63
$1.19 ¥8.55
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 ¥2.21
$0.26 ¥1.86
$0.39 ¥2.83
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.64 ¥54.8
$4.78 ¥34.29
$9.56 ¥68.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ¥8.17
$1.03 ¥7.39
$1.22 ¥8.74
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.2K ¥137.6K
$17.7K ¥126.6K
$20.7K ¥148.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9K ¥121K
$15.5K ¥110.9K
$21.1K ¥151.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$27.4 ¥197
$20.86 ¥150
$34.75 ¥249
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.82 ¥34.6
$4.14 ¥29.69
$5.52 ¥39.57
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.87 ¥85.2
$7.15 ¥51.3
$21.46 ¥154
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.08 ¥295
$15.06 ¥108
$68.5 ¥491
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.79 ¥113
$4.74 ¥33.99
$15.79 ¥113
Cinema Ticket
$4.29 ¥30.8
$4.29 ¥30.8
$4.29 ¥30.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$376 ¥2,695
$233 ¥1,674
$934 ¥6,696
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.4K ¥110.2K
$7,577 ¥54.3K
$28.3K ¥202.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.55 ¥312
$20.94 ¥150
$93.4 ¥670
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.69 ¥220
$14.04 ¥101
$56.1 ¥403
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.1 ¥510
$41.49 ¥298
$111 ¥794
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.2 ¥539
$42.27 ¥303
$141 ¥1,011
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$279 ¥2,002
$209 ¥1,501
$300 ¥2,152
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$187 ¥1,341
$139 ¥996
$250 ¥1,792
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$587 ¥4,213
$484 ¥3,469
$726 ¥5,204
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$367 ¥2,635
$284 ¥2,037
$426 ¥3,056
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,527 ¥25.3K
$2,680 ¥19.2K
$4,232 ¥30.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,414 ¥17.3K
$1,499 ¥10.7K
$2,997 ¥21.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$475 ¥3,408
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.87
3.1
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Guilin - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in Guilin compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Guilin tends to offer solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, especially when you compare it with China's big cities. Cost of Living in Guilin, China feels lighter in everyday needs: comfortable apartments outside the busiest riverfront areas are often more affordable, local markets keep groceries reasonable, and casual dining delivers good meals for less. Lodging tends to peak in peak tourist seasons, so planning stays outside those windows helps. Public transport is practical and inexpensive, and shorter trips by bike or on foot save money and time. Tip: prioritize longer-term stays to lock in favorable weekly rates.
What does daily life look like in Guilin in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life in Guilin blends stunning scenery with practical urban routines. When you search for housing, start in midtown or slightly outside the most tourist-heavy zones to balance price and convenience; many expat-friendly compounds offer flexible leases. Food options range from lively night markets to casual local joints and Western cafes near coworking spaces. Transport is straightforward: buses cover the core areas, taxis are reasonable for longer trips, and renting a scooter or bikes is common for nearby adventures. Errands are simple thanks to well-stocked markets and reliable services. Guilin, China living cost feels manageable for a comfortable, active lifestyle. Tip: map out a weekly budget and test a few neighborhoods before committing.
What budgeting and lifestyle tips help maximize value and quality of life in Guilin, considering seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Guilin comes from easy access to nature, cultural discovery, and a pace that's comfortable for long stays. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, food, transport, and leisure, and adjust allocations after a month of real usage. In terms of neighborhood fit, you'll want a balance between central access and quieter streets near parks or the river. Seasonality affects crowds and lodging near holidays, so consider shoulder months for better value. Practical saves come from buying fresh produce at markets, joining community or coworking memberships, and using bicycles for short trips. Tip: trial a couple of neighborhoods before renewing a longer lease.
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