Cost of Living in Karamay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $483 (excluding rent), and $705 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,126 (excluding rent), and $1,556 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.85 ¥20.47
$2.14 ¥15.33
$5.11 ¥36.68
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.78 ¥149
$16.62 ¥119
$41.56 ¥298
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.01 ¥35.94
$4.3 ¥30.85
$6.02 ¥43.18
Cappuccino
$3.03 ¥21.77
$1.4 ¥10.05
$4.91 ¥35.21
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ¥3.33
$0.43 ¥3.11
$0.72 ¥5.18
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥2.1
$0.26 ¥1.88
$0.44 ¥3.16
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.9 ¥6.43
$0.69 ¥4.94
$2.47 ¥17.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ¥14.67
$1.36 ¥9.76
$3.41 ¥24.43
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.82 ¥13.09
$1.4 ¥10.05
$2.81 ¥20.17
White Bread (500g)
$1.53 ¥10.97
$0.95 ¥6.78
$2.72 ¥19.5
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.89 ¥6.41
$0.54 ¥3.86
$1.71 ¥12.27
Eggs
$1.58 ¥11.35
$0.99 ¥7.09
$2.48 ¥17.8
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.63 ¥90.6
$6.85 ¥49.11
$26.03 ¥187
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.23 ¥23.16
$1.71 ¥12.28
$5.71 ¥40.95
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.24 ¥73.5
$6.29 ¥45.11
$13.97 ¥100
Apples (1kg)
$1.7 ¥12.19
$1.07 ¥7.69
$2.69 ¥19.33
Banana (1kg)
$1.25 ¥8.93
$0.85 ¥6.1
$2.12 ¥15.18
Oranges (1kg)
$1.36 ¥9.73
$0.82 ¥5.88
$2.18 ¥15.61
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07 ¥7.69
$0.68 ¥4.85
$1.88 ¥13.51
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 ¥4.83
$0.34 ¥2.41
$1.07 ¥7.65
Onion (1kg)
$0.89 ¥6.41
$0.53 ¥3.82
$1.32 ¥9.48
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 ¥4.34
$0.29 ¥2.1
$1.16 ¥8.31
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 ¥3.88
$0.36 ¥2.56
$0.86 ¥6.14
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.42 ¥24.53
$3.05 ¥21.86
$4.87 ¥34.95
Wine (Bottle)
$11.69 ¥83.8
$5.5 ¥39.43
$19.18 ¥138
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.75 ¥5.39
$0.55 ¥3.92
$1.36 ¥9.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ¥11.39
$0.95 ¥6.82
$2.73 ¥19.61
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.3 ¥2.17
$0.3 ¥2.17
$0.45 ¥3.25
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.1 ¥137
$9.56 ¥68.6
$19.1 ¥137
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.43 ¥10.24
$1.34 ¥9.58
$1.72 ¥12.31
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 ¥2.53
$0.28 ¥2.01
$0.43 ¥3.05
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.41 ¥45.99
$4.01 ¥28.78
$8.02 ¥57.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 ¥8.02
$1.01 ¥7.25
$1.2 ¥8.58
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.3K ¥124.3K
$15.9K ¥114.4K
$18.7K ¥134.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.6K ¥111.6K
$14.3K ¥102.3K
$19.4K ¥139.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.8 ¥371
$36.42 ¥261
$96.7 ¥694
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.09 ¥72.4
$5.02 ¥35.97
$18.35 ¥132
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.31 ¥81.2
$6.81 ¥48.86
$20.44 ¥147
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.56 ¥305
$15.6 ¥112
$70.9 ¥509
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.18 ¥109
$4.56 ¥32.68
$15.18 ¥109
Cinema Ticket
$6.29 ¥45.09
$5.3 ¥38.05
$8.38 ¥60.1
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$337 ¥2,414
$209 ¥1,500
$836 ¥6,000
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K ¥120.6K
$8,288 ¥59.4K
$30.9K ¥221.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.74 ¥314
$21.03 ¥151
$93.8 ¥673
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.92 ¥215
$13.68 ¥98.1
$54.7 ¥392
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.6 ¥520
$42.35 ¥304
$113 ¥810
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.7 ¥543
$42.6 ¥306
$142 ¥1,019
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$273 ¥1,961
$205 ¥1,471
$294 ¥2,108
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$185 ¥1,329
$138 ¥987
$248 ¥1,776
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$593 ¥4,257
$489 ¥3,506
$733 ¥5,259
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$355 ¥2,549
$275 ¥1,971
$412 ¥2,956
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,793 ¥27.2K
$2,882 ¥20.7K
$4,551 ¥32.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,210 ¥15.8K
$1,372 ¥9,839
$2,743 ¥19.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$553 ¥3,965
-
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 Karamay - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karamay affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared to other Chinese cities?
Compared with China's coastal megacities, Karamay offers a friendlier price-to-value balance for longer stays. Cost of Living in Karamay tends to be influenced by housing options that range from newer apartment blocks to modest studios, with groceries and local eateries that stay reasonably affordable for daily dining. Utilities and internet are generally reliable in urban areas, supporting remote work, and you will find clean, safe neighborhoods suited to different budgets. Outside peak travel seasons you may enjoy quieter streets and more room to negotiate rents for short-term leases. Tip: start with a couple of neighborhoods near transit to balance convenience and cost.
What does daily life look like in Karamay for housing search, food, transport, and co-working?
Daily life revolves around choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and work style. Your housing search benefits from scanning central districts with easy bus routes or metro-like access; you will encounter a mix of modern flats and smaller studios. Food options range from bustling local markets to international cafés, with seasonal produce typically affordable when bought at markets. For digital nomads, seek co-working spaces with solid Wi-Fi and flexible hours. Errands and groceries are convenient in city centers, though some goods may require a short drive to larger supermarkets. Karamay living cost guides your decisions as you map out weekly routines. Tip: plan a flexible weekly schedule to balance work and errands.
How does Karamay impact quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit, including seasonal nuance?
Quality of life in Karamay blends clear desert air, wide streets, and a pace that suits both work and exploration. Build a simple budgeting framework: track housing, groceries, transport, and leisure separately, then adjust as the season changes. Saving strategies include shopping at local markets, choosing energy-efficient housing, and using public transit or ride-hailing during off-peak hours. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activities; plan for cooler nights and hotter days with flexible plans. Neighborhood fit matters – look for areas with safe streets, parks or open spaces, and easy access to services and coworking hubs. Tip: preview a couple of districts on a weekend to feel the daily rhythm before you commit.
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