Cost of living in Beijing, China

Summary of cost of living in Beijing

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 24,521元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 15,461元
  • Cost of living in Beijing is more expensive than in 64% of cities in Asia (6 out of 14)
  • Cost of living in Beijing is cheaper than in 80% of cities in the World (152 out of 189)
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List of prices in Beijing
Current as of Mar 2024.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 34元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 40元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 12元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 13元
12 eggs, large 16元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 9元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 54元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 15元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 6元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 6元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 77元
2 liters of coca-cola 9元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 11元
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 16,084元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 8,380元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 377元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 6,939元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 4,144元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 217元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 96元
40” flat screen tv 1,880元
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 440元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 43元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 57元
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 430元
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 239元
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 604元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 797元
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 173,984元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 9元
Monthly ticket public transport 270元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 38元
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 28元
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 46元
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 242元
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 43元
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 38元
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 25元
4 rolls of toilet paper 10元
Tube of toothpaste 14元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 86元
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 239元
2 tickets to the movies 120元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 951元
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 200元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 73元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 28元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 10元
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,423元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.41元
1 month of gym membership in business district 389元
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 25元
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 251 prices entered by 31 different people.
Latest price update: March 18, 2024

Moving to Beijing with your children?

International Schools in Beijing

Beijing position in our World Ranking

the world
152nd
out of 189
asia
6th
out of 14

Cheapest and most expensive products in Beijing compared to other cities:

the world
2nd
the world
3rd
the world
5th
asia
2nd
asia
2nd
asia
2nd

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International Cost of Living Index

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