Cost of living in China compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 43% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 (AU$10) | AU$23 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 (AU$9) | AU$15 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (AU$3.13) | AU$7 | - 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (AU$3.46) | AU$2.04 | + 70% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 18元 (AU$3.73) | AU$7 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (AU$2.21) | AU$7 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 61元 (AU$13) | AU$10 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (AU$3.25) | AU$5.24 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (AU$1.41) | AU$3.75 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (AU$1.33) | AU$6 | - 78% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 119元 (AU$25) | AU$22 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (AU$1.91) | AU$3.78 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 (AU$3.11) | AU$3.08 | + 1% | |
| Housing | - 47% | |||
| Housing in China is 47% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,988元 (AU$2,543) | AU$3,696 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,948元 (AU$1,474) | AU$2,631 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 489元 (AU$104) | AU$238 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,875元 (AU$1,458) | AU$2,459 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,568元 (AU$969) | AU$1,911 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 358元 (AU$76) | AU$170 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 107元 (AU$23) | AU$78 | - 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,370元 (AU$290) | AU$684 | - 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 717元 (AU$152) | AU$291 | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 35元 (AU$8) | AU$16 | - 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 46元 (AU$10) | AU$41 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in China is 34% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 489元 (AU$104) | AU$135 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 245元 (AU$52) | AU$90 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 604元 (AU$128) | AU$189 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 781元 (AU$166) | AU$224 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 57% | |||
| Transportation in China is 57% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 156,400元 (AU$33,171) | AU$37,517 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (AU$1.79) | AU$1.99 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 218元 (AU$46) | AU$165 | - 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 15% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 15% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37元 (AU$8) | AU$8 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 25元 (AU$5.38) | AU$24 | - 77% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 407元 (AU$86) | AU$89 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 46元 (AU$10) | AU$11 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 44元 (AU$9) | AU$5.55 | + 67% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 38元 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 (AU$2.23) | AU$4.39 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (AU$3.29) | AU$4.95 | - 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 77元 (AU$16) | AU$35 | - 53% | |
| Entertainment | - 53% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 53% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 214元 (AU$45) | AU$66 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 105元 (AU$22) | AU$45 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,346元 (AU$285) | AU$374 | - 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 410元 (AU$87) | AU$133 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 70元 (AU$15) | AU$21 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 31元 (AU$6) | AU$5.46 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17元 (AU$3.55) | AU$11 | - 68% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,025元 (AU$642) | AU$942 | - 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.27元 (AU$0.06) | AU$0.65 | - 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 373元 (AU$79) | AU$78 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 23元 (AU$4.91) | AU$42 | - 88% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.21209
AUD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,236 prices entered by 523 different people.
Cost of living in China is 48% cheaper than in Australia
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