Cost of living in Beijing, China

Summary of cost of living in Beijing

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: £2,356 (23,002元)
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: £1,456 (14,214元)
  • WARNING!  These estimates are based on data that may have some inconsistencies at the moment. They already provide a decent estimate but they are not currently bullet-proof.

List of prices in Beijing
Current as of Jun 2025.

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Exchange rate: 0.10243 GIP / CNY
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Food Update prices
CNY GIP
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 47元 (£4.76)
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 36元 (£3.66)
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 12元 (£1.18)
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 12元 (£1.28)
12 eggs, large 17元 (£1.72)
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 10元 (£0.97)
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 54元 (£5.49)
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 15元 (£1.51)
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 6元 (£0.63)
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 6元 (£0.64)
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 79元 (£8)
2 liters of coca-cola 8元 (£0.86)
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 10元 (£1.03)
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Housing Update prices
CNY GIP
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 13,993元 (£1,433)
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 8,120元 (£832)
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 382元 (£39)
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 7,358元 (£754)
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 4,126元 (£423)
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 193元 (£20)
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 91元 (£9)
40” flat screen tv 1,862元 (£191)
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 560元 (£57)
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 34元 (£3.47)
Hourly rate for cleaning help 56元 (£5.71)
Clothes Update prices
CNY GIP
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 441元 (£45)
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 253元 (£26)
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 497元 (£51)
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 797元 (£82)
Transportation Update prices
CNY GIP
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 154,765元 (£15,852)
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 8元 (£0.86)
Monthly ticket public transport 249元 (£26)
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 38元 (£3.85)
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Personal Care Update prices
CNY GIP
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 28元 (£2.87)
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 46元 (£4.67)
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 242元 (£25)
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 43元 (£4.36)
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 38元 (£3.87)
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 25元 (£2.60)
4 rolls of toilet paper 10元 (£0.98)
Tube of toothpaste 14元 (£1.45)
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 86元 (£9)
Entertainment Update prices
CNY GIP
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 239元 (£24)
2 tickets to the movies 120元 (£12)
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 951元 (£97)
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 200元 (£20)
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 73元 (£7)
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 28元 (£2.87)
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 10元 (£1.07)
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,423元 (£351)
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.41元 (£0.04)
1 month of gym membership in business district 389元 (£40)
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 20元 (£2.04)
Some of these prices have some inconsistencies. They already provide a reliable comparison but they are not bullet-proof. They are based on 46 prices entered by 15 different people.
Latest price update: June 19, 2025

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