Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is 47% cheaper than in Hong Kong
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 551 prices entered by 92 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 41% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 43元 (HK$46) | HK$80 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 (HK$44) | HK$50 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14元 (HK$15) | HK$39 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (HK$17) | HK$25 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 18元 (HK$20) | HK$31 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 12元 (HK$13) | HK$25 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54元 (HK$59) | HK$98 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17元 (HK$18) | HK$30 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (HK$7) | HK$20 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (HK$7) | HK$18 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 88元 (HK$95) | HK$210 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (HK$10) | HK$18 | - 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 (HK$17) | HK$19 | - 12% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is 57% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,426元 (HK$18,901) | HK$39,997 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,571元 (HK$9,297) | HK$27,737 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 414元 (HK$449) | HK$1,566 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,422元 (HK$8,051) | HK$19,653 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,813元 (HK$4,136) | HK$13,702 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 287元 (HK$311) | HK$878 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 118元 (HK$128) | HK$190 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,630元 (HK$1,768) | HK$3,679 | - 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 717元 (HK$778) | HK$1,234 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 55元 (HK$60) | HK$101 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 48元 (HK$52) | HK$84 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is 16% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 428元 (HK$464) | HK$615 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 283元 (HK$307) | HK$310 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (HK$600) | HK$716 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 691元 (HK$749) | HK$1,097 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 55% | |||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is 55% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 144,857元 (HK$157,124) | HK$295,916 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (HK$9) | HK$24 | - 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 234元 (HK$254) | HK$550 | - 54% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 49元 (HK$53) | HK$117 | - 54% | |
| Personal Care | - 17% | |||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 17% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 40元 (HK$43) | HK$114 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28元 (HK$30) | HK$119 | - 74% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 641元 (HK$695) | HK$506 | + 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (HK$73) | HK$67 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41元 (HK$44) | HK$38 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 49元 (HK$53) | HK$53 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 12元 (HK$13) | HK$15 | - 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 17元 (HK$18) | HK$21 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 105元 (HK$113) | HK$232 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 24% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 357元 (HK$387) | HK$352 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 116元 (HK$126) | HK$201 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,600元 (HK$1,736) | HK$1,069 | + 62% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 261元 (HK$283) | HK$554 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 87元 (HK$95) | HK$141 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 36元 (HK$39) | HK$40 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 16元 (HK$17) | HK$60 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,233元 (HK$3,507) | HK$3,953 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73元 (HK$0.79) | HK$0.87 | - 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 484元 (HK$525) | HK$638 | - 18% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (HK$27) | HK$102 | - 74% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 47% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.085
HKD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 551 prices entered by 92 different people.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
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