Cost of living in Taichung City, Taiwan vs San Francisco, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 31% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 225 NT$ ($8) | $18 | - 55% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 129 NT$ ($4.63) | $9 | - 49% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 100 NT$ ($3.59) | $5.20 | - 31% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 92 NT$ ($3.29) | $1.16 | + 184% | |
12 eggs, large | 89 NT$ ($3.20) | $5.18 | - 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 209 NT$ ($7) | $4.92 | + 52% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 172 NT$ ($6) | $12 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 156 NT$ ($5.59) | $4.15 | + 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 185 NT$ ($7) | $2.18 | + 205% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 65 NT$ ($2.35) | $5.54 | - 58% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 511 NT$ ($18) | $18 | + 1% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 61 NT$ ($2.19) | $2.51 | - 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 24 NT$ ($0.86) | $3.82 | - 77% | |
Housing | - 72% | |||
Housing in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 72% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 32,293 NT$ ($1,159) | $3,960 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,203 NT$ ($618) | $3,733 | - 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,032 NT$ ($73) | $128 | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 17,244 NT$ ($619) | $2,873 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,286 NT$ ($369) | $2,138 | - 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,437 NT$ ($52) | $101 | - 49% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 700 NT$ ($25) | $48 | - 48% | |
40” flat screen tv | 19,625 NT$ ($705) | $518 | + 36% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,404 NT$ ($122) | $139 | - 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 293 NT$ ($11) | $11 | - 7% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 304 NT$ ($11) | $42 | - 74% | |
Clothes | - 10% | |||
Clothes in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 10% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,386 NT$ ($86) | $62 | + 37% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,066 NT$ ($38) | $46 | - 16% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,460 NT$ ($88) | $105 | - 16% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,701 NT$ ($97) | $171 | - 43% | |
Transportation | - 4% | |||
Transportation in Taichung City (Taiwan) is about the same as in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,075,140 NT$ ($38,597) | $23,115 | + 67% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 28 NT$ ($1.00) | $0.95 | + 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 2,000 NT$ ($72) | $92 | - 22% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 428 NT$ ($15) | $19 | - 17% | |
Personal Care | - 32% | |||
Personal Care in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 32% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 208 NT$ ($7) | $9 | - 16% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 300 NT$ ($11) | $12 | - 10% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,000 NT$ ($36) | $132 | - 73% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 298 NT$ ($11) | $7 | + 51% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 166 NT$ ($5.97) | $4.80 | + 25% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 239 NT$ ($9) | $8 | + 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 58 NT$ ($2.08) | $4.63 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 82 NT$ ($2.95) | $2.49 | + 18% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 354 NT$ ($13) | $32 | - 61% | |
Entertainment | - 41% | |||
Entertainment in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 41% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 613 NT$ ($22) | $61 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 543 NT$ ($19) | $31 | - 37% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,779 NT$ ($100) | $263 | - 62% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,134 NT$ ($41) | $109 | - 63% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 286 NT$ ($10) | $15 | - 30% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 124 NT$ ($4.46) | $5.19 | - 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 131 NT$ ($4.72) | $8 | - 43% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,294 NT$ ($477) | $405 | + 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 12 NT$ ($0.42) | $0.35 | + 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,391 NT$ ($50) | $111 | - 55% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 112 NT$ ($4.03) | $11 | - 64% | |
TOTAL | - 43% |

These prices were last updated on February 24, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.03590
USD
/
TWD
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Cost of living in Taichung City (Taiwan) is 43% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $13,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $7,362 (205,074 NT$) in Taichung City.
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