Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is 44% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 778 prices entered by 138 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 49% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 40元 (C$8) | C$28 | - 71% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 41元 (C$8) | C$15 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 13元 (C$2.57) | C$10 | - 75% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (C$3.21) | C$3.97 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 18元 (C$3.59) | C$6 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 12元 (C$2.41) | C$5.71 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54元 (C$11) | C$13 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17元 (C$3.29) | C$5.39 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (C$1.34) | C$4.61 | - 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (C$1.31) | C$3.39 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 85元 (C$17) | C$22 | - 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (C$1.84) | C$3.32 | - 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 (C$3.03) | C$2.73 | + 11% | |
| Housing | - 37% | |||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is 37% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 18,371元 (C$3,655) | C$3,514 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,850元 (C$1,761) | C$2,780 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 414元 (C$82) | C$233 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,422元 (C$1,477) | C$2,780 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,813元 (C$759) | C$2,235 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 287元 (C$57) | C$147 | - 61% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 118元 (C$23) | C$64 | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,630元 (C$324) | C$488 | - 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 717元 (C$143) | C$172 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 55元 (C$11) | C$16 | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 48元 (C$9) | C$30 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is 5% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 428元 (C$85) | C$76 | + 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 283元 (C$56) | C$56 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (C$110) | C$133 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 691元 (C$137) | C$209 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 58% | |||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is 58% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 144,857元 (C$28,820) | C$33,085 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (C$1.66) | C$1.47 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 243元 (C$48) | C$162 | - 70% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 48元 (C$9) | C$25 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 29% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 40元 (C$8) | C$16 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28元 (C$5.59) | C$39 | - 86% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 641元 (C$128) | C$94 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (C$13) | C$13 | + 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41元 (C$8) | C$9 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 49元 (C$10) | C$9 | + 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 12元 (C$2.41) | C$4.56 | - 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 17元 (C$3.29) | C$5.11 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 105元 (C$21) | C$39 | - 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 35% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Toronto | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 357元 (C$71) | C$82 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 116元 (C$23) | C$36 | - 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,600元 (C$318) | C$289 | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 261元 (C$52) | C$162 | - 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 87元 (C$17) | C$16 | + 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 36元 (C$7) | C$7 | + 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 12元 (C$2.30) | C$10 | - 76% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,233元 (C$643) | C$728 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73元 (C$0.14) | C$0.34 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 484元 (C$96) | C$72 | + 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (C$4.89) | C$17 | - 72% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 44% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.19895
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 778 prices entered by 138 different people.
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