Cost of Living in Yinchuan - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $473 (excluding rent), and $714 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,160 (excluding rent), and $1,534 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79 ¥12.82
$1.43 ¥10.24
$2.15 ¥15.4
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.77 ¥178
$21.23 ¥152
$28.3 ¥203
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.63 ¥33.22
$4.27 ¥30.65
$4.98 ¥35.71
Cappuccino
$3.04 ¥21.83
$1.41 ¥10.08
$4.92 ¥35.32
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ¥3.84
$0.4 ¥2.88
$0.67 ¥4.8
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ¥2.59
$0.29 ¥2.07
$0.43 ¥3.11
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.09 ¥7.8
$0.82 ¥5.9
$1.36 ¥9.76
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 ¥15.37
$1.43 ¥10.22
$3.57 ¥25.59
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.67 ¥11.98
$1.28 ¥9.2
$2.57 ¥18.46
White Bread (500g)
$1.64 ¥11.76
$1.01 ¥7.26
$2.91 ¥20.89
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.89 ¥6.36
$0.53 ¥3.83
$1.7 ¥12.17
Eggs
$1.65 ¥11.82
$1.03 ¥7.39
$2.58 ¥18.54
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.38 ¥95.9
$7.25 ¥52
$27.56 ¥198
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.87 ¥20.59
$1.52 ¥10.92
$5.08 ¥36.41
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.43 ¥82
$7.02 ¥50.4
$15.6 ¥112
Apples (1kg)
$1.82 ¥13.03
$1.15 ¥8.22
$2.88 ¥20.65
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 ¥8.12
$0.77 ¥5.55
$1.92 ¥13.81
Oranges (1kg)
$1.36 ¥9.72
$0.82 ¥5.88
$2.17 ¥15.6
Tomato (1kg)
$0.96 ¥6.9
$0.61 ¥4.35
$1.69 ¥12.12
Potato (1kg)
$0.64 ¥4.6
$0.32 ¥2.3
$1.02 ¥7.29
Onion (1kg)
$0.97 ¥6.92
$0.57 ¥4.12
$1.43 ¥10.24
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.65 ¥4.64
$0.31 ¥2.24
$1.24 ¥8.88
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 ¥3.38
$0.31 ¥2.23
$0.75 ¥5.36
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.47 ¥24.91
$3.1 ¥22.2
$4.95 ¥35.49
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 ¥73
$4.78 ¥34.32
$16.69 ¥120
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 ¥5.82
$0.59 ¥4.23
$1.47 ¥10.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.4 ¥10.07
$0.84 ¥6.03
$2.42 ¥17.34
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.3 ¥2.16
$0.3 ¥2.16
$0.45 ¥3.24
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.76 ¥120
$8.39 ¥60.2
$16.76 ¥120
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.08 ¥7.77
$0.95 ¥6.79
$1.22 ¥8.75
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 ¥2.54
$0.28 ¥2.01
$0.43 ¥3.06
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.8 ¥41.64
$3.63 ¥26.06
$7.26 ¥52.1
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.1 ¥7.92
$1 ¥7.16
$1.18 ¥8.47
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7K ¥141.5K
$18.1K ¥130.2K
$21.3K ¥152.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ¥136.8K
$17.5K ¥125.4K
$23.8K ¥171K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.51 ¥291
$28.49 ¥204
$75.6 ¥542
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.73 ¥77
$5.33 ¥38.25
$19.51 ¥140
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.37 ¥74.4
$6.25 ¥44.8
$18.75 ¥134
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.69 ¥299
$15.29 ¥110
$69.5 ¥498
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.91 ¥114
$4.77 ¥34.24
$15.91 ¥114
Cinema Ticket
$5.79 ¥41.55
$4.89 ¥35.06
$7.72 ¥55.4
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$318 ¥2,284
$198 ¥1,419
$791 ¥5,675
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.5K ¥118.6K
$8,155 ¥58.5K
$30.4K ¥218.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.15 ¥302
$20.27 ¥145
$90.4 ¥648
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.79 ¥221
$14.08 ¥101
$56.3 ¥404
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82 ¥588
$47.88 ¥343
$128 ¥916
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.1 ¥481
$37.76 ¥271
$126 ¥903
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$272 ¥1,950
$204 ¥1,462
$292 ¥2,096
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$204 ¥1,462
$151 ¥1,085
$272 ¥1,953
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$542 ¥3,890
$447 ¥3,204
$670 ¥4,805
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$323 ¥2,320
$250 ¥1,793
$375 ¥2,689
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,983 ¥21.4K
$2,267 ¥16.3K
$3,579 ¥25.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,400 ¥17.2K
$1,490 ¥10.7K
$2,980 ¥21.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
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 Yinchuan - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Yinchuan for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find good value here?
Yinchuan offers a slower pace and lower everyday costs than China’s megacities, which many travelers and digital nomads prize for longer stays. You can find practical housing options outside the central core and eat well at affordable local spots from morning markets to casual eateries. Utilities and internet run smoothly, and commuting typically won’t overwhelm a budget. The city emphasizes a more relaxed rhythm, with access to parks, neighborhoods, and cultural sights without the huge crowds. Cost of Living in Yinchuan is favorable for those prioritizing value over luxury. Tip: Start with a short stay to test neighborhoods, then extend your visit.
What does daily life look like in Yinchuan for housing search, food, transport, coworking, and errands?
Daily life centers on a compact, well-connected city with solid options for housing, groceries, and quick meals. For housing, look in districts near the city center or the university area; leases can be flexible, and local landlords often value longer-term arrangements. Food options span vibrant morning markets, affordable street eats, and modern cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi for remote work. Transport relies on buses, taxis, and ride-hailing, with bike-friendly streets in many neighborhoods. Running errands and finding coworking spaces is feasible, though the scene is smaller than in mega-cities. Yinchuan living cost stays approachable for a modest routine and a demographically diverse community. Tip: Map out a few neighborhoods first, then test them in person.
What are budgeting frameworks, seasonality, and neighborhood fit considerations for a good quality of life in Yinchuan?
Your quality of life hinges on a straightforward budgeting framework: separate rent, utilities, groceries, and leisure, and track irregular spikes by season. In summer, cooling costs and longer outdoor days may shift your routines toward evening markets and shaded parks; in winter, heating and warm clothing dominate expenses. Neighborhood fit matters: choose areas with easy access to groceries, libraries, and coworking hubs, and test a few evenings in different districts to sense pace and noise. Embrace a flexible plan, favor long-term stays in affordable districts, and lean on local mobile apps for deals on meals and transit. Tip: keep a simple weekly budget and adjust as you settle in.
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