Cost of living in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 31% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 150 NT$ ($5.37) | $19 | - 72% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 122 NT$ ($4.37) | $11 | - 59% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 109 NT$ ($3.91) | $5.19 | - 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 90 NT$ ($3.22) | $1.21 | + 167% | |
12 eggs, large | 84 NT$ ($3.02) | $3.92 | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 111 NT$ ($3.99) | $4.21 | - 5% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 263 NT$ ($9) | $7 | + 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 152 NT$ ($5.45) | $4.37 | + 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 134 NT$ ($4.81) | $2.38 | + 102% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 46 NT$ ($1.66) | $2.95 | - 44% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 422 NT$ ($15) | $18 | - 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 45 NT$ ($1.62) | $2.37 | - 32% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 47 NT$ ($1.67) | $2.24 | - 25% | |
Housing | - 68% | |||
Housing in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 68% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 28,669 NT$ ($1,029) | $3,253 | - 68% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,975 NT$ ($645) | $2,659 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,468 NT$ ($89) | $149 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 14,030 NT$ ($503) | $2,294 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 9,074 NT$ ($326) | $1,555 | - 79% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,527 NT$ ($55) | $114 | - 52% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 656 NT$ ($24) | $38 | - 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | 14,132 NT$ ($507) | $329 | + 54% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,911 NT$ ($104) | $128 | - 18% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 245 NT$ ($9) | $10 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 279 NT$ ($10) | $37 | - 73% | |
Clothes | - 7% | |||
Clothes in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 7% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,781 NT$ ($64) | $49 | + 31% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,133 NT$ ($41) | $50 | - 19% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,327 NT$ ($83) | $89 | - 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,275 NT$ ($118) | $112 | + 5% | |
Transportation | - 25% | |||
Transportation in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 25% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 958,973 NT$ ($34,409) | $23,712 | + 45% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 NT$ ($1.19) | $0.92 | + 29% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,100 NT$ ($39) | $81 | - 51% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 270 NT$ ($10) | $19 | - 48% | |
Personal Care | - 12% | |||
Personal Care in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 12% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 338 NT$ ($12) | $7 | + 73% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 344 NT$ ($12) | $21 | - 41% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,698 NT$ ($61) | $110 | - 45% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 255 NT$ ($9) | $7 | + 32% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 179 NT$ ($6) | $3.71 | + 73% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 157 NT$ ($5.63) | $5.68 | - 1% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 63 NT$ ($2.28) | $3.57 | - 36% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 68 NT$ ($2.45) | $1.93 | + 27% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 333 NT$ ($12) | $21 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | - 39% | |||
Entertainment in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 39% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 664 NT$ ($24) | $50 | - 52% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 507 NT$ ($18) | $27 | - 33% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,272 NT$ ($82) | $202 | - 60% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,411 NT$ ($51) | $89 | - 43% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 289 NT$ ($10) | $13 | - 20% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 118 NT$ ($4.23) | $5.70 | - 26% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 120 NT$ ($4.30) | $8 | - 45% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,938 NT$ ($500) | $436 | + 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.39 NT$ ($0.19) | $0.43 | - 55% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,360 NT$ ($49) | $62 | - 22% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 109 NT$ ($3.92) | $9 | - 56% | |
TOTAL | - 43% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.03588
USD
/
TWD
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Cost of living in Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) is 43% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $10,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $5,654 (157,565 NT$) in Kaohsiung City.
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