Cost of Living in Zhongshan - Updated Prices & Insights

32.45
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $476 (excluding rent), and $643 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,112 (excluding rent), and $1,344 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.8 ¥20.09
$1.4 ¥10.01
$8.39 ¥60.2
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.38 ¥118
$12.28 ¥88.1
$40.96 ¥294
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.08 ¥29.24
$4.08 ¥29.24
$5.43 ¥38.96
Cappuccino
$2.71 ¥19.44
$1.37 ¥9.82
$4.12 ¥29.54
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 ¥3.11
$0.43 ¥3.11
$0.72 ¥5.19
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥2.11
$0.29 ¥2.11
$0.44 ¥3.16
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.67 ¥4.79
$0.6 ¥4.31
$2.66 ¥19.09
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.7 ¥12.18
$1.27 ¥9.11
$7.08 ¥50.8
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 ¥13.01
$1.42 ¥10.16
$2.84 ¥20.39
White Bread (500g)
$1.78 ¥12.8
$0.85 ¥6.11
$2.83 ¥20.29
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.98 ¥7
$0.37 ¥2.63
$2.34 ¥16.78
Eggs
$1.55 ¥11.14
$0.94 ¥6.75
$2.44 ¥17.47
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.82 ¥91.9
$6.95 ¥49.83
$41.7 ¥299
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.62 ¥18.81
$2.07 ¥14.83
$5.51 ¥39.53
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.29 ¥88.2
$6.83 ¥48.97
$16.39 ¥118
Apples (1kg)
$1.79 ¥12.86
$1.08 ¥7.76
$2.72 ¥19.5
Banana (1kg)
$0.93 ¥6.68
$0.81 ¥5.79
$2.01 ¥14.39
Oranges (1kg)
$0.61 ¥4.39
$0.54 ¥3.9
$2.17 ¥15.55
Tomato (1kg)
$1.37 ¥9.82
$0.71 ¥5.09
$2.26 ¥16.22
Potato (1kg)
$0.55 ¥3.91
$0.37 ¥2.63
$1.58 ¥11.36
Onion (1kg)
$0.69 ¥4.94
$0.55 ¥3.95
$2.06 ¥14.74
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.4 ¥2.84
$0.22 ¥1.57
$1.45 ¥10.39
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ¥3.41
$0.34 ¥2.44
$0.82 ¥5.85
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72 ¥19.51
$2.72 ¥19.51
$4.08 ¥29.24
Wine (Bottle)
$12.2 ¥87.5
$4.16 ¥29.87
$27.74 ¥199
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ¥4.71
$0.58 ¥4.18
$1.45 ¥10.38
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 ¥13.16
$0.95 ¥6.79
$2.72 ¥19.54
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 ¥1.93
$0.13 ¥0.97
$0.27 ¥1.93
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.78 ¥98.9
$6.89 ¥49.4
$20.67 ¥148
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 ¥9.1
$0.98 ¥7.06
$1.98 ¥14.19
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 ¥2.71
$0.36 ¥2.56
$0.43 ¥3.09
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.01 ¥50.3
$6.87 ¥49.25
$8.59 ¥61.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ¥8.49
$1 ¥7.16
$1.24 ¥8.86
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.6K ¥162K
$20.5K ¥147.3K
$24.6K ¥176.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K ¥145.1K
$15.2K ¥108.8K
$23.4K ¥168.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$37.83 ¥271
$34.39 ¥247
$110 ¥789
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.48 ¥60.8
$4.25 ¥30.47
$18.25 ¥131
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.78 ¥84.5
$6.87 ¥49.31
$20.63 ¥148
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.7 ¥450
$20.92 ¥150
$112 ¥800
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.75 ¥48.45
$4.06 ¥29.1
$9.46 ¥67.9
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ¥40.51
$5.51 ¥39.49
$11.01 ¥79
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$296 ¥2,126
$207 ¥1,484
$827 ¥5,934
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K ¥88.2K
$5,464 ¥39.2K
$32.8K ¥235.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.8 ¥314
$20.75 ¥149
$83 ¥595
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.93 ¥222
$21.09 ¥151
$56.6 ¥406
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$55.9 ¥401
$27.93 ¥200
$97.8 ¥701
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.5 ¥491
$41.1 ¥295
$137 ¥983
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$196 ¥1,403
$140 ¥1,002
$251 ¥1,804
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$120 ¥862
$98.9 ¥710
$141 ¥1,014
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$344 ¥2,466
$344 ¥2,466
$344 ¥2,466
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$200 ¥1,436
$168 ¥1,202
$223 ¥1,603
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,355 ¥16.9K
$2,120 ¥15.2K
$2,826 ¥20.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,365 ¥9,793
$1,092 ¥7,834
$1,775 ¥12.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$752 ¥5,394
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.83
3.15
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Zhongshan - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zhongshan a good value for long stays compared with other cities in China?
Zhongshan sits at a comfortable middle ground for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want reliable amenities without the strain of a big-city budget. You will find affordable housing in older neighborhoods and more modern blocks that suit different wallets, plus varied dining and groceries. Public transport is inexpensive, with buses and taxis offering predictable costs, and cycling is practical in many districts. Seasonal peaks exist near festivals, but flexible plans and longer-stay options from landlords or coworking spaces help you stay on track. Cost of Living in Zhongshan, China sets a realistic budgeting baseline as you compare options across districts. Tip: Start with a short-term rental near a transit hub and adjust as you settle in.
What does daily life look like in Zhongshan, including housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Zhongshan blends practical costs with solid infrastructure. When you search housing, consider older blocks farther from city centers for lower rents, or newer towers closer to business areas for convenience; read lease terms and ask what utilities are included. Food options range from busy local eateries to Western-style cafes, with groceries available in standard supermarkets and fresh markets. For transport, buses are affordable, ride-hailing is common, and cycling is feasible in many neighborhoods. Co-working spaces provide flexible plans and occasional day passes. For a sense of Zhongshan living cost, start with a couple of short-term stays in different districts. Tip: set a weekly errand route to optimize grocery runs and transit.
What should you know about quality of life and budgeting to thrive in Zhongshan, considering seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Zhongshan tends to be comfortable for most budgets if you plan ahead. Frame a budgeting approach with clear buckets: housing and utilities, groceries and dining, transport, and personal care, then adjust as you settle. Seasonality matters: summers can push cooling costs, while spring and autumn often feel milder and speed up outdoor activities. Neighborhood fit matters too; central, newer districts tend to be busier but closer to amenities, while quieter suburbs offer price flexibility and room to grow. Embrace simple routines: local markets for fresh produce, shared workspaces for networking, and short trips to nearby coastal towns for weekend breaks. Tip: join expat or language groups to learn which streets fit your pace.
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