Cost of Living in Sanya - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $484 (excluding rent), and $745 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,183 (excluding rent), and $1,616 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38 ¥17.1
$2.04 ¥14.64
$2.73 ¥19.55
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.06 ¥151
$16.85 ¥121
$42.13 ¥302
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.61 ¥40.24
$4.9 ¥35.18
$6.32 ¥45.3
Cappuccino
$2.48 ¥17.8
$1.21 ¥8.66
$4.07 ¥29.18
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 ¥3.12
$0.44 ¥3.12
$0.44 ¥3.12
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥2.1
$0.22 ¥1.58
$0.37 ¥2.63
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 ¥14.07
$1.4 ¥10.01
$2.54 ¥18.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 ¥13.8
$1.8 ¥12.88
$2.05 ¥14.73
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 ¥12.71
$1.09 ¥7.8
$2.85 ¥20.44
White Bread (500g)
$1.32 ¥9.46
$1.22 ¥8.76
$1.5 ¥10.79
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.49 ¥10.7
$1.42 ¥10.19
$1.56 ¥11.22
Eggs
$1.61 ¥11.58
$1.42 ¥10.17
$1.63 ¥11.72
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.87 ¥121
$8.24 ¥59.1
$25.93 ¥186
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.82 ¥27.42
$3.01 ¥21.58
$4.77 ¥34.23
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.28 ¥73.7
$4.88 ¥35
$16.74 ¥120
Apples (1kg)
$2.21 ¥15.84
$1.14 ¥8.18
$3.29 ¥23.57
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 ¥10.8
$0.57 ¥4.11
$2.43 ¥17.41
Oranges (1kg)
$1.92 ¥13.8
$1.1 ¥7.9
$3.45 ¥24.76
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 ¥11.4
$1.09 ¥7.81
$2.46 ¥17.66
Potato (1kg)
$0.79 ¥5.66
$0.58 ¥4.17
$1.15 ¥8.27
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 ¥5.33
$0.54 ¥3.87
$0.89 ¥6.36
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.47 ¥3.38
$0.29 ¥2.06
$0.72 ¥5.14
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 ¥4.15
$0.41 ¥2.91
$0.68 ¥4.84
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.07 ¥22
$2.73 ¥19.61
$4.37 ¥31.34
Wine (Bottle)
$6.85 ¥49.13
$2.75 ¥19.69
$10.96 ¥78.6
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 ¥7.65
$0.68 ¥4.91
$1.55 ¥11.15
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95 ¥6.8
$0.82 ¥5.89
$1.08 ¥7.78
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 ¥1.95
$0.27 ¥1.95
$0.41 ¥2.93
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.97 ¥115
$4.17 ¥29.91
$27.78 ¥199
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.51 ¥10.82
$1.37 ¥9.83
$1.65 ¥11.81
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ¥3.77
$0.26 ¥1.85
$0.53 ¥3.77
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.4 ¥53.1
$4.63 ¥33.21
$9.26 ¥66.4
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ¥8.46
$1.08 ¥7.75
$1.28 ¥9.16
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K ¥126K
$16.2K ¥115.9K
$19K ¥136.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17K ¥121.9K
$15.6K ¥111.7K
$21.2K ¥152.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.1 ¥589
$41.03 ¥294
$123 ¥883
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.72 ¥69.7
$4.83 ¥34.64
$17.67 ¥127
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.63 ¥83.4
$7 ¥50.2
$21.01 ¥151
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.33 ¥304
$15.52 ¥111
$70.6 ¥506
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.76 ¥98.7
$4.13 ¥29.61
$13.76 ¥98.7
Cinema Ticket
$6.29 ¥45.09
$5.3 ¥38.04
$8.38 ¥60.1
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$333 ¥2,391
$207 ¥1,485
$828 ¥5,942
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ¥119.4K
$8,207 ¥58.9K
$30.6K ¥219.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.05 ¥316
$21.18 ¥152
$94.5 ¥678
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.93 ¥215
$13.69 ¥98.2
$54.7 ¥393
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.95 ¥344
$41.1 ¥295
$54.8 ¥393
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5 ¥534
$41.89 ¥300
$140 ¥1,002
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$281 ¥2,017
$211 ¥1,513
$302 ¥2,169
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$190 ¥1,366
$141 ¥1,014
$255 ¥1,826
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$585 ¥4,199
$482 ¥3,458
$723 ¥5,187
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$367 ¥2,632
$284 ¥2,035
$425 ¥3,052
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,421 ¥24.5K
$2,600 ¥18.7K
$4,106 ¥29.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,195 ¥15.7K
$1,646 ¥11.8K
$2,743 ¥19.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$656 ¥4,703
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.05
4.9
5.2
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Sanya - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Sanya compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value?
On the surface, Sanya offers a mixed affordability picture for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Accommodation near the beaches can be pricier in peak season, while local neighborhoods and guesthouses stay more wallet-friendly for longer stays. Cost of Living in Sanya tends to favor those who blend global conveniences with local options – co-working spaces and cafes are abundant, yet street-food stalls and local markets keep daily expenses reasonable. Seasonal swings matter: winter influxes can lift prices, while shoulder periods bring more room to negotiate for longer leases or rental deals. Tip: Prioritize a neighbourhood that blends quiet residential streets with easy access to shops and transit.
What does daily life look like in Sanya in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Sanya centers on choosing the right neighborhood and timing your purchases. Start your housing hunt in districts like Dadonghai, Sanya Bay, or quieter coastal towns where leases and furnishings vary by length of stay. For meals, mix local markets and casual eateries with occasional splurges on seafood specialties; shopping by season can help you manage a monthly food budget. Getting around is straightforward: ride-hailing, taxis, or bikes are common, and some areas are easy to walk. Plan errands around morning markets and late-afternoon siestas when shops are busiest. Sanya living cost shifts with tourist cycles, so factor peak seasons into your plans. Tip: ...
How can you optimize long-term living and work-life balance in Sanya to maximize quality of life and budget?
Quality of life in Sanya hinges on a mix of outdoor access and practical routines. Build a simple budgeting framework focused on housing, food, and utilities, plus occasional entertainment. Seek longer-term leases in residential lanes close to beaches yet with quiet evenings, which often lowers costs and makes daily life steadier. Embrace local markets for fresh produce, cook at home, and save on dining by choosing neighborhood eateries. In terms of seasonality, plan for humidity and rain by keeping flexible workspaces and outdoor activities; summer winds and typhoons can reshape weekend plans but rarely erase the sun-filled days. Tip: ...
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