Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is 14% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 253 prices entered by 49 different people.
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| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 33% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46元 (187 NT$) | 189 NT$ | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 (165 NT$) | 166 NT$ | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14元 (56 NT$) | 131 NT$ | - 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (63 NT$) | 99 NT$ | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 18元 (74 NT$) | 113 NT$ | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 12元 (50 NT$) | 131 NT$ | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54元 (222 NT$) | 255 NT$ | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17元 (68 NT$) | 167 NT$ | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (27 NT$) | 112 NT$ | - 76% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (27 NT$) | 48 NT$ | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 88元 (358 NT$) | 677 NT$ | - 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (36 NT$) | 57 NT$ | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 (62 NT$) | 38 NT$ | + 62% | |
| Housing | + 7% | |||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is 7% more expensive than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,426元 (71,095 NT$) | 49,866 NT$ | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,571元 (34,971 NT$) | 27,563 NT$ | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 414元 (1,690 NT$) | 2,043 NT$ | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,422元 (30,283 NT$) | 30,723 NT$ | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,813元 (15,557 NT$) | 16,298 NT$ | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 287元 (1,169 NT$) | 1,684 NT$ | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 118元 (481 NT$) | 649 NT$ | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,630元 (6,649 NT$) | 14,881 NT$ | - 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 717元 (2,926 NT$) | 4,456 NT$ | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 55元 (225 NT$) | 210 NT$ | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 48元 (195 NT$) | 502 NT$ | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is 17% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 428元 (1,745 NT$) | 2,355 NT$ | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 283元 (1,156 NT$) | 1,295 NT$ | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (2,256 NT$) | 2,343 NT$ | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 691元 (2,819 NT$) | 3,529 NT$ | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is 24% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 144,857元 (591,007 NT$) | 996,697 NT$ | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (34 NT$) | 31 NT$ | + 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 234元 (955 NT$) | 1,244 NT$ | - 23% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 51元 (207 NT$) | 284 NT$ | - 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 5% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 40元 (164 NT$) | 264 NT$ | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28元 (115 NT$) | 237 NT$ | - 52% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 641元 (2,615 NT$) | 1,063 NT$ | + 146% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (275 NT$) | 342 NT$ | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41元 (165 NT$) | 199 NT$ | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 49元 (200 NT$) | 256 NT$ | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 12元 (49 NT$) | 50 NT$ | - 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 17元 (67 NT$) | 88 NT$ | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 105元 (427 NT$) | 667 NT$ | - 36% | |
| Entertainment | - 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 7% cheaper than in Taipei (Taiwan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Taipei | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 357元 (1,457 NT$) | 1,075 NT$ | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 116元 (475 NT$) | 575 NT$ | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,600元 (6,529 NT$) | 4,123 NT$ | + 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 261元 (1,064 NT$) | 1,694 NT$ | - 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 87元 (356 NT$) | 392 NT$ | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 36元 (147 NT$) | 135 NT$ | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 16元 (63 NT$) | 184 NT$ | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,233元 (13,190 NT$) | 13,158 NT$ | + 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73元 (2.96 NT$) | 5.13 NT$ | - 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 484元 (1,976 NT$) | 1,381 NT$ | + 43% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (102 NT$) | 140 NT$ | - 27% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 14% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 253 prices entered by 49 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.080
TWD
/
CNY
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 136,000 NT$ in Taipei you would need to make just about 117,290 NT$ (28,748元) in Shanghai.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
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