Cost of Living in Kaohsiung - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $780 (excluding rent), and $1,150 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,844 (excluding rent), and $2,722 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.03 NT$127
$2.68 NT$84.8
$6.72 NT$212
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.61 NT$1,061
$20.16 NT$637
$40.33 NT$1,274
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.46 NT$172
$5.12 NT$162
$6.15 NT$194
Cappuccino
$3.06 NT$96.5
$1.70 NT$53.6
$4.09 NT$129
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 NT$31.18
$0.84 NT$26.51
$1.34 NT$42.41
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 NT$22.85
$0.66 NT$20.99
$1.00 NT$31.49
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.73 NT$54.6
$1.22 NT$38.47
$2.77 NT$87.6
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 NT$84.4
$2.00 NT$63.2
$3.34 NT$106
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$3.58 NT$113
$2.76 NT$87.1
$5.52 NT$174
White Bread (500g)
$1.98 NT$62.5
$1.48 NT$46.79
$4.45 NT$141
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.73 NT$86.1
$1.72 NT$54.3
$3.45 NT$109
Eggs
$3.36 NT$106
$2.07 NT$65.5
$4.98 NT$157
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.15 NT$510
$7.59 NT$240
$20.71 NT$654
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.40 NT$297
$6.88 NT$217
$15.47 NT$489
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.59 NT$556
$10.06 NT$318
$22.18 NT$700
Apples (1kg)
$6.26 NT$198
$1.73 NT$54.8
$10.43 NT$329
Banana (1kg)
$2.60 NT$82.1
$1.39 NT$43.95
$3.47 NT$110
Oranges (1kg)
$2.78 NT$87.8
$1.35 NT$42.62
$5.04 NT$159
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 NT$132
$1.40 NT$44.15
$6.97 NT$220
Potato (1kg)
$3.06 NT$96.6
$1.74 NT$54.9
$5.23 NT$165
Onion (1kg)
$2.24 NT$70.7
$1.52 NT$48.12
$2.77 NT$87.5
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 NT$61.4
$1.32 NT$41.67
$3.47 NT$110
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 NT$37.80
$1.04 NT$32.95
$1.39 NT$43.94
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.44 NT$140
$4.10 NT$129
$6.82 NT$216
Wine (Bottle)
$15.55 NT$491
$6.22 NT$197
$24.89 NT$786
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67 NT$52.8
$1.37 NT$43.18
$2.00 NT$63.1
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 NT$80.2
$2.05 NT$64.9
$2.74 NT$86.6
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 NT$26.45
$0.67 NT$21.16
$1.01 NT$31.74
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.81 NT$847
$13.39 NT$423
$33.56 NT$1,060
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 NT$89.0
$2.82 NT$89.0
$4.47 NT$141
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.79 NT$24.85
$0.63 NT$19.94
$0.79 NT$24.85
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.92 NT$187
$3.29 NT$104
$5.92 NT$187
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 NT$33.48
$1.03 NT$32.52
$1.09 NT$34.43
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K NT$1.1M
$33.8K NT$1.1M
$39.8K NT$1.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K NT$809.1K
$23.9K NT$755.2K
$27.5K NT$868.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$102 NT$3,209
$49.89 NT$1,576
$377 NT$11.9K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.94 NT$788
$13.32 NT$421
$40.03 NT$1,264
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.43 NT$803
$17.07 NT$539
$43.36 NT$1,369
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.54 NT$1,249
$29.28 NT$925
$44.36 NT$1,401
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.17 NT$353
$6.70 NT$212
$13.39 NT$423
Cinema Ticket
$10.21 NT$323
$8.85 NT$279
$13.61 NT$430
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 NT$13.5K
$271 NT$8,569
$623 NT$19.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K NT$363.2K
$5,176 NT$163.5K
$27.6K NT$871.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$96.0 NT$3,032
$50.8 NT$1,605
$136 NT$4,281
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.47 NT$1,120
$16.86 NT$532
$67.6 NT$2,134
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.2 NT$2,816
$84.1 NT$2,657
$101 NT$3,188
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100 NT$3,164
$100 NT$3,164
$200 NT$6,328
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$446 NT$14.1K
$343 NT$10.8K
$755 NT$23.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$276 NT$8,709
$201 NT$6,351
$503 NT$15.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$927 NT$29.3K
$767 NT$24.2K
$1,333 NT$42.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$692 NT$21.9K
$509 NT$16.1K
$1,018 NT$32.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,744 NT$149.8K
$3,838 NT$121.2K
$5,437 NT$171.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,257 NT$102.8K
$2,506 NT$79.1K
$4,071 NT$128.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,446 NT$45.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.3
2
3

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Kaohsiung Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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Fixed Broadband

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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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Cost of Living in Kaohsiung - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kaohsiung compare in terms of overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Kaohsiung tends to offer solid value for daily life without the price shock of a top-tier Asian metropolis. You’ll find a range of housing options, from modest apartments to modern studios, with flexibility for longer stays. Dining at night markets and local eateries remains affordable, and transit – MRT, buses, and bikes – supports easy exploration. Seasonal heat can nudge cooling costs, but overall expenses stay balanced for longer visits or remote work setups. Cost of Living in Kaohsiung, Taiwan captures a city that supports travelers and expats alike. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to gauge neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like in Kaohsiung for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Kaohsiung centers on practical choices. For housing, look in central districts like Lingya or Sanmin for easy transit, or consider Zuoying for a calmer vibe; co-living and furnished options ease onboarding for longer stays. Food options abound – from night markets to casual eateries and groceries – keeping meals varied and affordable. Transit is reliable: city buses, efficient MRT, and bike-sharing help keep errands and commutes predictable. Kaohsiung living cost is shaped by your housing choice and how often you cook at home versus eat out. Tip: Use monthly transit passes and explore neighborhoods on foot to compare value.
What lifestyle and budgeting tips help maximize quality of life in Kaohsiung, including seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Kaohsiung rewards flexible budgeting and a rhythm that suits you. Favor neighborhoods with access to the coast, parks, and good public transit, then test a few cafe or coworking spots to find your pace. Build a simple budgeting framework: allocate housing, groceries, and transport first, then leave room for experiences like weekend markets or day trips. Seasonality – hot summers, mild winters, and typhoon risk – shapes errands and cooling strategies, so plan for shade and ventilation. Stay active by biking along the Love River or exploring waterfront districts; safety and healthcare are approachable in most central areas. Tip: block time for weekly neighborhood scouting to refine your fit.

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