Cost of Living in Zhoushan - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $671 per month with rent, or $577 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,061 per month with rent, or $792 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,451 per month with rent, or $1,008 without housing.

Overall, Zhoushan is about 50% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (36% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Zhoushan? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.10 ¥20.96
$2.76 ¥18.68
$8.28 ¥56.0
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.11 ¥116
$13.69 ¥92.6
$89.0 ¥602
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.80 ¥32.47
$4.12 ¥27.87
$6.86 ¥46.40
Cappuccino
$2.83 ¥19.15
$2.12 ¥14.35
$7.07 ¥47.78
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 ¥2.94
$0.41 ¥2.74
$0.68 ¥4.57
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥1.97
$0.27 ¥1.83
$0.44 ¥2.95
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.88 ¥5.98
$0.68 ¥4.60
$2.03 ¥13.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 ¥9.63
$1.28 ¥8.66
$7.85 ¥53.1
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 ¥14.53
$1.72 ¥11.61
$2.87 ¥19.40
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 ¥16.07
$1.35 ¥9.12
$6.08 ¥41.13
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 ¥5.83
$0.57 ¥3.89
$1.89 ¥12.77
Eggs
$0.99 ¥6.68
$0.99 ¥6.68
$2.48 ¥16.77
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.97 ¥142
$14.07 ¥95.2
$42.21 ¥285
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.74 ¥25.29
$1.71 ¥11.54
$6.27 ¥42.43
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.96 ¥53.8
$5.69 ¥38.44
$17.06 ¥115
Apples (1kg)
$1.41 ¥9.55
$0.71 ¥4.81
$2.84 ¥19.17
Banana (1kg)
$1.12 ¥7.61
$0.85 ¥5.76
$2.49 ¥16.86
Oranges (1kg)
$1.41 ¥9.54
$0.57 ¥3.85
$2.18 ¥14.76
Tomato (1kg)
$1.08 ¥7.32
$0.68 ¥4.62
$2.40 ¥16.23
Potato (1kg)
$0.54 ¥3.65
$0.27 ¥1.83
$1.19 ¥8.02
Onion (1kg)
$0.81 ¥5.49
$0.41 ¥2.74
$1.88 ¥12.74
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 ¥4.10
$0.29 ¥1.98
$1.16 ¥7.84
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ¥3.22
$0.41 ¥2.76
$0.82 ¥5.52
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27 ¥28.86
$3.55 ¥24.02
$4.97 ¥33.62
Wine (Bottle)
$11.16 ¥75.4
$7.43 ¥50.3
$14.72 ¥99.5
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 ¥6.37
$0.58 ¥3.92
$1.15 ¥7.77
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70 ¥18.23
$0.82 ¥5.55
$4.08 ¥27.61
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 ¥1.82
$0.27 ¥1.82
$0.40 ¥2.74
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.65 ¥113
$8.33 ¥56.3
$16.65 ¥113
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.58 ¥10.65
$1.43 ¥9.68
$3.73 ¥25.21
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 ¥2.37
$0.28 ¥1.88
$0.42 ¥2.86
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.34 ¥56.4
$2.78 ¥18.81
$13.89 ¥93.9
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 ¥7.39
$1.09 ¥7.39
$2.06 ¥13.91
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ¥142.9K
$19.7K ¥133.4K
$25.4K ¥171.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.2K ¥102.6K
$15.2K ¥102.6K
$31.5K ¥212.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$45.78 ¥310
$32.67 ¥221
$86.7 ¥587
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.90 ¥101
$8.14 ¥55.1
$20.69 ¥140
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.26 ¥76.2
$6.83 ¥46.18
$17.48 ¥118
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.83 ¥154
$15.07 ¥102
$68.5 ¥463
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.79 ¥45.93
$4.08 ¥27.59
$9.52 ¥64.4
Cinema Ticket
$6.42 ¥43.38
$5.70 ¥38.54
$11.40 ¥77.1
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$744 ¥5,029
$482 ¥3,260
$1,377 ¥9,313
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.7K ¥113.2K
$9,631 ¥65.1K
$20.6K ¥139.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7 ¥363
$33.49 ¥226
$93.4 ¥631
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.42 ¥240
$27.30 ¥185
$48.03 ¥325
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.2 ¥475
$56.2 ¥380
$112 ¥759
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.4 ¥618
$54.8 ¥371
$137 ¥927
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$308 ¥2,084
$210 ¥1,421
$308 ¥2,084
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$112 ¥760
$112 ¥760
$253 ¥1,710
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$700 ¥4,731
$700 ¥4,731
$700 ¥4,731
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$254 ¥1,716
$254 ¥1,716
$423 ¥2,861
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,961 ¥20.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,990 ¥13.5K
$1,769 ¥12.0K
$2,211 ¥15.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$602 ¥4,068
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.86
3.1
5

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $308, dropping to $112 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 51% of the average salary ($602) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $602 – below monthly costs of $671. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $227 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $17.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $16.65 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Milk is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

White bread is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

Zhoushan Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Zhoushan - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zhoushan affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to larger cities in China?
Zhoushan offers a balance between coastal charm and practical costs. Compared with megacities, you’ll find more room to breathe and more affordable dining, groceries, and basic services, though travel to larger hubs adds occasional transport costs. For digital nomads, reliable internet exists in central wards and co-working spaces, with a quieter pace that suits focused work. The Cost of Living in Zhoushan, China sets a comfortable baseline for long stays, especially if you choose neighborhood living over riverfront tourist zones. Budget pointers: dine where locals eat, stay in serviced apartments with kitchen access, and plan weekend mixes of beaches and island trips. Tip: map your week around ferries and markets.
What does daily life look like in Zhoushan, including housing options, food, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life in Zhoushan blends island access with practical city comforts. Housing ranges from compact, walkable apartments in central wards to quieter options on outlying islands with ferries to the mainland. Food vitality comes from seafood markets, casual eateries, and small groceries; you can cook at home to trim costs. Local transport leans on buses, ferries, and bikes; many nomads keep a scooter or rent a bike for short hops. Co-working centers exist but may feel intimate; choose locations near your ferry route to save time. Zhoushan, China living cost varies by island, so scout a few neighborhoods before committing. Tip: choose a base near a ferry terminal to minimize daily transit time.
What budgeting approaches and neighborhood choices help you maintain a good quality of life in Zhoushan, considering seasonality and pace?
Quality of life in Zhoushan is defined by pace and place. To budget effectively, adopt a simple framework: cover essentials first, reserve a flexible fund for occasional trips to nearby islands, and set aside a small cushion for gear and contingencies. Seasonality influences ferry schedules, seafood availability, and crowd levels at markets, so target midweek errands and shoulder-season stays when you can. For neighborhood fit, test a mix of central wards for work access and quieter island towns for recuperation; prioritize proximity to a good grocery, a cafe with reliable Wi‑Fi, and easy ferry access. Tip: create a weekly rhythm that pairs work blocks with short outdoor breaks to recharge.
Is Zhoushan one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Zhoushan is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $671, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
Is Zhoushan a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
By most standards, Zhoushan is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $671, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
How does the average salary in Zhoushan compare to the cost of living?
The average net salary in Zhoushan is about $602, while comfortable living starts around $1,006. With total costs hitting $671 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
Is Zhoushan a good place to find cheap rent?
Rent is one of Zhoushan's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $112 to $308 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
How expensive is preschool in Zhoushan per month?
Private kindergarten in Zhoushan costs about $744 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Zhoushan?
A gym membership in Zhoushan runs about $22.83 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Zhoushan?
$1,200 a month in Zhoushan? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $671, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
Why do digital nomads choose Zhoushan?
Zhoushan has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet. At around $671 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
Is Zhoushan budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Zhoushan is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $671 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Zhoushan vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities