Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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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 517 prices entered by 37 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 18% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 ($7) | $14 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 41元 ($5.99) | $8 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17元 ($2.43) | $4.70 | - 48% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 20元 ($2.95) | $0.91 | + 226% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 22元 ($3.25) | $2.33 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 ($1.64) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 61元 ($9) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17元 ($2.43) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.93) | $1.59 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 ($0.94) | $2.40 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 106元 ($15) | $14 | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 12元 ($1.75) | $1.84 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 18元 ($2.63) | $2.26 | + 16% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,533元 ($2,988) | $1,810 | + 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,864元 ($1,581) | $1,036 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 504元 ($73) | $122 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,055元 ($1,172) | $1,075 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,352元 ($633) | $753 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 276元 ($40) | $127 | - 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 117元 ($17) | $48 | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,516元 ($221) | $444 | - 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 653元 ($95) | $84 | + 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 63元 ($9) | $11 | - 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 49元 ($7) | $25 | - 71% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 528元 ($77) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 253元 ($37) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 617元 ($90) | $96 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 883元 ($129) | $110 | + 17% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 164,781元 ($23,983) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9元 ($1.24) | $0.78 | + 59% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 206元 ($30) | $30 | - 0% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 43元 ($6) | $17 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 20% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 33元 ($4.79) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 33元 ($4.86) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 730元 ($106) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 62元 ($9) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 48元 ($7) | $3.01 | + 134% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 43元 ($6) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 ($1.63) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 ($1.89) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 93元 ($14) | $23 | - 41% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 8% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 293元 ($43) | $40 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 118元 ($17) | $20 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,380元 ($201) | $110 | + 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 351元 ($51) | $92 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 80元 ($12) | $7 | + 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29元 ($4.27) | $4.01 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 12元 ($1.74) | $4.44 | - 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,141元 ($457) | $424 | + 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.20元 ($0.03) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 449元 ($65) | $51 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 ($3.71) | $7 | - 50% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 3% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 517 prices entered by 37 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14554
USD
/
CNY
Detailed prices for each city individually
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,600 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $5,436 (37,347元) in Shanghai.
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