Cost of Living in Miaoli - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $786 monthly including rent, or $492 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,086 with rent, or $846 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,386 including rent, or $1,200 for daily expenses alone.

Miaoli sits 43–53% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 28% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.57 NT$81.3
$1.92 NT$60.8
$8.00 NT$254
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.50 NT$745
$15.67 NT$496
$31.33 NT$993
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.63 NT$147
$4.52 NT$143
$6.18 NT$196
Cappuccino
$2.95 NT$93.5
$1.40 NT$44.26
$4.03 NT$128
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 NT$28.00
$0.64 NT$20.28
$1.28 NT$40.55
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57 NT$18.04
$0.49 NT$15.41
$0.82 NT$25.91
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.29 NT$40.83
$1.29 NT$40.83
$4.84 NT$153
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 NT$42.04
$1.25 NT$39.53
$6.25 NT$198
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.83 NT$89.5
$2.72 NT$86.3
$3.21 NT$102
White Bread (500g)
$1.19 NT$37.58
$0.61 NT$19.40
$1.48 NT$46.82
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.60 NT$82.4
$1.17 NT$37.15
$4.32 NT$137
Eggs
$2.11 NT$66.9
$1.49 NT$47.07
$3.70 NT$117
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.05 NT$287
$6.14 NT$195
$12.14 NT$385
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.59 NT$240
$4.50 NT$142
$10.14 NT$321
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.33 NT$676
$7.22 NT$229
$31.37 NT$994
Apples (1kg)
$3.74 NT$119
$1.39 NT$43.96
$4.45 NT$141
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 NT$66.1
$0.80 NT$25.48
$3.54 NT$112
Oranges (1kg)
$3.08 NT$97.6
$1.43 NT$45.29
$4.20 NT$133
Tomato (1kg)
$3.19 NT$101
$1.63 NT$51.6
$4.07 NT$129
Potato (1kg)
$2.51 NT$79.5
$0.94 NT$29.86
$4.54 NT$144
Onion (1kg)
$1.99 NT$62.9
$0.78 NT$24.85
$3.14 NT$99.4
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.38 NT$75.4
$1.61 NT$51.1
$3.74 NT$118
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92 NT$29.25
$0.58 NT$18.52
$1.29 NT$40.94
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.92 NT$124
$3.92 NT$124
$6.27 NT$199
Wine (Bottle)
$11.20 NT$355
$9.60 NT$304
$31.98 NT$1,013
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 NT$48.05
$1.13 NT$35.71
$2.26 NT$71.8
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 NT$68.8
$1.60 NT$50.8
$2.88 NT$91.3
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 NT$88.6
$2.49 NT$79.0
$3.11 NT$98.6
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 NT$23.95
$0.60 NT$19.10
$0.84 NT$26.68
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.03 NT$223
$5.62 NT$178
$9.38 NT$297
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04 NT$32.96
$0.92 NT$29.08
$1.09 NT$34.57
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K NT$1.1M
$34.1K NT$1.1M
$34.1K NT$1.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.9K NT$757.4K
$23.2K NT$735.7K
$25.3K NT$800.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$68.9 NT$2,184
$46.92 NT$1,487
$207 NT$6,553
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.96 NT$569
$15.61 NT$495
$18.74 NT$594
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.56 NT$715
$17.69 NT$561
$25.54 NT$809
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$11.16 NT$354
$11.16 NT$354
$11.16 NT$354
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$518 NT$16.4K
$466 NT$14.8K
$621 NT$19.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.6K NT$1.0M
$16.3K NT$515.5K
$46.9K NT$1.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.51 NT$397
$12.51 NT$397
$125 NT$3,976
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.68 NT$782
$12.61 NT$400
$39.39 NT$1,248
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$62.0 NT$1,965
$62.0 NT$1,965
$86.9 NT$2,753
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.0 NT$3,138
$95.8 NT$3,037
$102 NT$3,239
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$222 NT$7,045
$191 NT$6,039
$254 NT$8,051
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$160 NT$5,064
$160 NT$5,064
$160 NT$5,064
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,509 NT$79.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.18
1.78
3

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $222 for a central one-bedroom, or $160 outside the center. At 9% of the average salary ($2,509), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,509, while typical expenses reach $786. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $314 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $23.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Cost Highlights

Milk is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Average monthly net salary is higher than 91% of cities in Asia

Miaoli Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

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Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Latency
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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 Miaoli - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Miaoli compare in affordability to Taiwan’s bigger cities for travelers and expats?
For many, Miaoli offers a calmer pace with solid value. If you’re chasing a balance between scenery and practicality, you’ll find options for budget accommodation, affordable markets, and inexpensive meals. The Cost of Living in Miaoli, Taiwan tends to feel approachable for short stays or long-term living, especially outside peak tourist seasons. Public transport connects towns well, and many neighborhoods provide essential services within a short walk. For digital nomads, look for local co-working spaces or cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi. Tip: Test multiple neighborhoods on a 1–2 week stay to map out value without commitments.
What does daily life look like in Miaoli for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life centers on simple, tasty choices and easy mobility. Housing options span modest apartments to shared setups, often with rents that fit a conservative budget in mind; shop at night markets and local eateries for affordable bites. Transport runs on a reliable network of trains and buses, with bike-friendly streets in many areas. For errands, you’ll find essential services clustered around town centers. Co-working or cafe work is common in larger towns, offering Wi‑Fi and a social pulse without the rush of bigger cities. Miaoli, Taiwan living cost appears balanced for most daily needs. Tip: Build a weekly route to minimize backtracking and save time.
How can you optimize quality of life in Miaoli, including budgeting, seasons, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life comes from smart budgeting and neighborhood choice. Favor areas near transit hubs or markets to cut transport time and dining costs. Embrace off-peak travel for better rates on activities and housing. Seasonal events, temple fairs, and outdoor trails add free or low-cost ways to explore. Create a simple budgeting framework: housing, food, and utilities, then set flexible allowances for entertainment. Compare neighborhoods by walkability, noise levels, and access to green spaces. Tip: Visit multiple districts during the same day to feel fit and timing before choosing a base.
Is Miaoli a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
Your money goes further in Miaoli than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $786 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is housing affordable on a local salary in Miaoli?
About 9% of the average paycheck in Miaoli goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Miaoli?
Earning $1,179 monthly in Miaoli means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the rental price range for apartments in Miaoli?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Miaoli range from $160 to $222, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Miaoli?
Miaoli is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $314, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Miaoli?
Groceries in Miaoli cost around $314 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Miaoli?
$1,200 stretches far in Miaoli – all-in monthly costs average only $786. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What makes Miaoli attractive for retirement?
Retirement in Miaoli is comfortable for most – total costs run about $786 monthly. Healthcare, daily amenities, and social infrastructure are all in place, and most retirees find it a practical, enjoyable place to settle.
How much can you save per month in Miaoli?
Monthly expenses in Miaoli run around $786, so putting money aside takes more than $1,179 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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