Cost of living comparison between Shanghai (China) and Los Angeles (United States)
| Food | 50% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 50% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | 元47 ($7.44) | $11.38 | 35% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 元23 ($3.72) | $5.80 | 36% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | 元16.58 ($2.63) | $4.23 | 38% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 元7 ($1.11) | $2.54 | 56% |
| 12 eggs, large | 元6.67 ($1.06) | $2.72 | 61% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 元5 ($0.79) | $3.60 | 78% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 元41 ($6.50) | $5.20 | 25% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 元7.33 ($1.16) | $3.31 | 65% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | 元5.83 ($0.93) | $3.17 | 71% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | 元4.56 ($0.72) | $2.27 | 68% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 元69 ($10.94) | $11.85 | 8% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 元4.63 ($0.73) | $1.79 | 59% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | 元4.87 ($0.77) | $2.21 | 65% |
| Housing | 48% | ||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is 48% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | 元6,450 ($1,023) | $1,862 | 45% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 元403 ($64) | $146 | 56% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | 元156 ($25) | $40 | 38% |
| 40” flat screen TV | 元5,182 ($822) | $620 | 33% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | - | $97 | - |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 元15 ($2.38) | $8.43 | 72% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 元20 ($3.17) | $21 | 85% |
| Clothes | 52% | ||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is 52% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | 元522 ($83) | $40 | 104% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | 元343 ($54) | $35 | 56% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | 元595 ($94) | $74 | 28% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | 元473 ($75) | $71 | 6% |
| Transportation | 39% | ||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is 39% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 元50,000 ($7,929) | $19,722 | 60% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 元7.93 ($1.26) | $1.16 | 9% |
| monthly ticket public transport | 元239 ($38) | $64 | 41% |
| Personal Care | 26% | ||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 26% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | 元24 ($3.83) | $9.58 | 60% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 元24 ($3.74) | $6.09 | 39% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 元58 ($9.20) | $3.59 | 156% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 元60 ($9.52) | $4.82 | 97% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 元3.67 ($0.58) | $3.49 | 83% |
| Tube of toothpaste | 元4 ($0.63) | $3.01 | 79% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 元48 ($7.61) | $18.26 | 58% |
| Entertainment | 22% | ||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 22% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 元193 ($31) | $38 | 19% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 元70 ($11.10) | $23 | 52% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 元351 ($56) | $96 | 42% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | 元411 ($65) | $78 | 17% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 元64 ($10.22) | $10.23 | 0% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | - | $4.29 | - |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | 元38 ($5.97) | $5.27 | 13% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | 元695 ($110) | $156 | 29% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 元0.21 ($0.03) | $0.21 | 84% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | 元430 ($68) | $41 | 68% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | 元14.77 ($2.34) | $5.79 | 60% |
| TOTAL | 39% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,247 prices entered by 346 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2012.
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Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is 39% cheaper than in Los Angeles (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$3,000
in Los Angeles
you would need to make just about $1,818
(元11,467)
in Shanghai.