Cost of living in Beijing

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Some of these prices have some inconsistencies. They already provide a reliable comparison but they are not bullet-proof. They are based on 1,949 prices entered by 219 different people.
Food
Daily menu in the business district 元66
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) 元28
1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast 元26
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 元16.83
12 eggs, large 元18.27
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 元12.14
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 元59
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 元17.22
2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes 元14.14
0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket 元4.40
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 元143
2 liters of Coca-Cola 元7.55
bread for 2 people for 1 day 元12.56
Housing
monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city 元10,368
utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 元358
Internet 8MB (1 month) 元164
40” flat screen TV 元4,114
Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt 元736
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 元44
Hourly rate for cleaning help 元26
Clothes
1 pair of Levis 501 元675
1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) 元300
1 pair of Adidas trainers 元710
1 pair of average business shoes 元713
Transportation
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new 元178,889
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 元7.33
monthly ticket public transport 元82
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) 元28
Personal Care
medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) 元22
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) 元47
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 元35
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 元30
4 rolls of toilet paper 元10.43
Tube of toothpaste 元14.63
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 元114
Entertainment
basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 元200
2 tickets to the movies 元145
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 元891
dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert 元375
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 元55
Capuccino in expat area of the city 元32
1 beer in neighbourhood pub 元24
iPod nano 16GB 元1,221
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 元0.74
1 month of gym in business district 元450
1 package of Marlboro cigarretes 元17.90

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Taxi fare per kilometer (per 0.6 miles / 1,100 yds.), weekday at noon

in Beijing?

International Cost of Living Index

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