Cost of living in Taichung City, Taiwan vs Palo Alto, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 28% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 28% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 225 NT$ ($8) | $18 | - 56% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 129 NT$ ($4.62) | $9 | - 49% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 100 NT$ ($3.59) | $9 | - 60% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 92 NT$ ($3.29) | $1.19 | + 176% | |
12 eggs, large | 89 NT$ ($3.20) | $4.34 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 209 NT$ ($7) | $5.88 | + 27% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 172 NT$ ($6) | $7 | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 156 NT$ ($5.58) | $5.12 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 185 NT$ ($7) | $2.07 | + 221% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 65 NT$ ($2.35) | $2.94 | - 20% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 511 NT$ ($18) | $12 | + 51% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 61 NT$ ($2.19) | $3.55 | - 38% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 24 NT$ ($0.86) | $3.00 | - 71% | |
Housing | - 70% | |||
Housing in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 70% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 32,293 NT$ ($1,159) | $3,892 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,203 NT$ ($617) | $2,748 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,032 NT$ ($73) | $180 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 17,244 NT$ ($619) | $2,871 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,286 NT$ ($369) | $2,056 | - 82% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,437 NT$ ($52) | $105 | - 51% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 700 NT$ ($25) | $51 | - 51% | |
40” flat screen tv | 19,625 NT$ ($704) | $580 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,404 NT$ ($122) | $175 | - 30% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 293 NT$ ($11) | $11 | - 4% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 304 NT$ ($11) | $31 | - 65% | |
Clothes | + 15% | |||
Clothes in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 15% more expensive than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,386 NT$ ($86) | $49 | + 74% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,066 NT$ ($38) | $36 | + 5% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,460 NT$ ($88) | $87 | + 1% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,701 NT$ ($97) | $115 | - 16% | |
Transportation | - 14% | |||
Transportation in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 14% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,075,140 NT$ ($38,578) | $23,098 | + 67% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 28 NT$ ($1.00) | $0.91 | + 10% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,000 NT$ ($72) | $110 | - 35% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 428 NT$ ($15) | $18 | - 16% | |
Personal Care | - 34% | |||
Personal Care in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 34% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 208 NT$ ($7) | $13 | - 43% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 300 NT$ ($11) | $23 | - 54% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,000 NT$ ($36) | $116 | - 69% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 298 NT$ ($11) | $9 | + 20% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 166 NT$ ($5.97) | $4.71 | + 27% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 239 NT$ ($9) | $6 | + 38% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 58 NT$ ($2.08) | $3.74 | - 44% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 82 NT$ ($2.95) | $2.25 | + 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 354 NT$ ($13) | $37 | - 66% | |
Entertainment | - 37% | |||
Entertainment in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 37% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 613 NT$ ($22) | $62 | - 65% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 543 NT$ ($19) | $30 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,779 NT$ ($100) | $318 | - 69% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,134 NT$ ($41) | $115 | - 65% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 286 NT$ ($10) | $13 | - 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 124 NT$ ($4.46) | $4.37 | + 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 131 NT$ ($4.72) | $7 | - 30% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,294 NT$ ($477) | $434 | + 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 12 NT$ ($0.42) | $0.25 | + 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,391 NT$ ($50) | $105 | - 52% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 112 NT$ ($4.03) | $8 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 42% |

These prices were last updated on March 01, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.03588
USD
/
TWD
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Cost of living in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 42% cheaper than in Palo Alto, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in Palo Alto, California you would need to make just about $6,925 (192,988 NT$) in Taichung City.
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