Cost of living in Taichung City, Taiwan vs Houston, Texas, United States
Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Taichung City (Taiwan) is about the same as in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 225 NT$ ($8) | $14 | - 42% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 129 NT$ ($4.61) | $8 | - 39% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 100 NT$ ($3.58) | $3.75 | - 5% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 92 NT$ ($3.28) | $0.81 | + 307% | |
12 eggs, large | 89 NT$ ($3.19) | $2.74 | + 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 209 NT$ ($7) | $3.28 | + 127% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 172 NT$ ($6) | $5.87 | + 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 156 NT$ ($5.56) | $3.19 | + 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 185 NT$ ($7) | $1.77 | + 275% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 65 NT$ ($2.34) | $3.05 | - 23% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 511 NT$ ($18) | $12 | + 54% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 61 NT$ ($2.18) | $1.93 | + 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 24 NT$ ($0.86) | $1.95 | - 56% | |
Housing | - 46% | |||
Housing in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 46% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 32,293 NT$ ($1,155) | $1,818 | - 36% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,203 NT$ ($615) | $1,237 | - 50% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,032 NT$ ($73) | $186 | - 61% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 17,244 NT$ ($617) | $1,392 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,286 NT$ ($368) | $988 | - 63% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,437 NT$ ($51) | $102 | - 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 700 NT$ ($25) | $44 | - 44% | |
40” flat screen tv | 19,625 NT$ ($702) | $257 | + 173% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,404 NT$ ($122) | $79 | + 54% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 293 NT$ ($10) | $9 | + 10% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 304 NT$ ($11) | $23 | - 54% | |
Clothes | + 13% | |||
Clothes in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 13% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,386 NT$ ($85) | $41 | + 110% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,066 NT$ ($38) | $40 | - 6% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,460 NT$ ($88) | $90 | - 2% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,701 NT$ ($97) | $107 | - 10% | |
Transportation | + 55% | |||
Transportation in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 55% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,075,140 NT$ ($38,446) | $21,843 | + 76% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 28 NT$ ($0.99) | $0.52 | + 92% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,000 NT$ ($72) | $48 | + 51% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 428 NT$ ($15) | $17 | - 9% | |
Personal Care | - 18% | |||
Personal Care in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 18% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 208 NT$ ($7) | $7 | - 1% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 300 NT$ ($11) | $24 | - 56% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,000 NT$ ($36) | $87 | - 59% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 298 NT$ ($11) | $8 | + 40% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 166 NT$ ($5.95) | $3.17 | + 88% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 239 NT$ ($9) | $4.49 | + 91% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 58 NT$ ($2.07) | $4.05 | - 49% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 82 NT$ ($2.94) | $2.01 | + 46% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 354 NT$ ($13) | $20 | - 35% | |
Entertainment | - 18% | |||
Entertainment in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 18% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 613 NT$ ($22) | $51 | - 57% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 543 NT$ ($19) | $23 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,779 NT$ ($99) | $173 | - 43% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,134 NT$ ($41) | $70 | - 42% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 286 NT$ ($10) | $11 | - 10% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 124 NT$ ($4.44) | $5.25 | - 15% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 131 NT$ ($4.70) | $5.68 | - 17% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,294 NT$ ($475) | $377 | + 26% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 12 NT$ ($0.41) | $0.30 | + 38% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,391 NT$ ($50) | $59 | - 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 112 NT$ ($4.01) | $7 | - 44% | |
TOTAL | - 9% |

These prices were last updated on March 08, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.03576
USD
/
TWD
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Cost of living in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 9% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $6,000 in Houston, Texas you would need to make just about $5,461 (152,720 NT$) in Taichung City.
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