Cost of living in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 5% cheaper than in Beijing (China)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 72 prices entered by 15 different people.
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Food | + 40% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 40% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 146 NT$ (32元) | 34元 | - 6% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 128 NT$ (28元) | 36元 | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 103 NT$ (23元) | 12元 | + 99% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 95 NT$ (21元) | 14元 | + 57% | |
12 eggs, large | 74 NT$ (16元) | 16元 | + 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 108 NT$ (24元) | 9元 | + 176% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 330 NT$ (73元) | 54元 | + 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 134 NT$ (30元) | 15元 | + 101% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 133 NT$ (30元) | 6元 | + 384% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 53 NT$ (12元) | 6元 | + 89% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 425 NT$ (95元) | 79元 | + 19% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 55 NT$ (12元) | 10元 | + 27% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 41 NT$ (9元) | 10元 | - 9% | |
Housing | - 43% | |||
Housing in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 43% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,434 NT$ (6,110元) | 16,590元 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,380 NT$ (3,871元) | 8,120元 | - 52% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,846 NT$ (634元) | 382元 | + 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 14,140 NT$ (3,149元) | 7,358元 | - 57% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,812 NT$ (2,408元) | 4,126元 | - 42% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,420 NT$ (316元) | 193元 | + 64% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 716 NT$ (159元) | 91元 | + 76% | |
40” flat screen tv | 14,136 NT$ (3,148元) | 1,862元 | + 69% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,588 NT$ (799元) | 560元 | + 43% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 217 NT$ (48元) | 34元 | + 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 285 NT$ (63元) | 57元 | + 11% | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 6% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,784 NT$ (397元) | 441元 | - 10% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,133 NT$ (252元) | 252元 | + 0% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,283 NT$ (508元) | 597元 | - 15% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,286 NT$ (732元) | 797元 | - 8% | |
Transportation | + 0% | |||
Transportation in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is about the same as in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 909,474 NT$ (202,559元) | 154,765元 | + 31% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 36 NT$ (8元) | 8元 | - 4% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 962 NT$ (214元) | 249元 | - 14% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 270 NT$ (60元) | 38元 | + 59% | |
Personal Care | + 38% | |||
Personal Care in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 38% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 338 NT$ (75元) | 28元 | + 168% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 344 NT$ (77元) | 46元 | + 68% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,633 NT$ (364元) | 242元 | + 50% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 256 NT$ (57元) | 43元 | + 34% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 174 NT$ (39元) | 38元 | + 3% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 157 NT$ (35元) | 25元 | + 38% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 74 NT$ (16元) | 10元 | + 71% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 69 NT$ (15元) | 14元 | + 8% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 357 NT$ (79元) | 86元 | - 7% | |
Entertainment | + 13% | |||
Entertainment in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 13% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kaohsiung City | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 712 NT$ (159元) | 239元 | - 34% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 506 NT$ (113元) | 120元 | - 6% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,025 NT$ (451元) | 951元 | - 53% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,510 NT$ (336元) | 200元 | + 68% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 288 NT$ (64元) | 73元 | - 12% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 118 NT$ (26元) | 28元 | - 6% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 120 NT$ (27元) | 10元 | + 155% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,938 NT$ (3,104元) | 3,423元 | - 9% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 7 NT$ (1.45元) | 0.41元 | + 250% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,363 NT$ (304元) | 389元 | - 22% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 109 NT$ (24元) | 25元 | - 1% | |
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TOTAL | - 5% |

These prices were last updated on February 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.22272
CNY
/
TWD
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 54,000元 in Beijing you would need to make just about 51,088元 (229,382 NT$) in Kaohsiung City.
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