Cost of living in China compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 31% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46元 (AU$10) | AU$17 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 34元 (AU$7) | AU$12 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (AU$3.30) | AU$5.88 | - 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15元 (AU$3.18) | AU$1.26 | + 153% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14元 (AU$3.01) | AU$5.43 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8元 (AU$1.69) | AU$4.92 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 61元 (AU$13) | AU$8 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (AU$3.20) | AU$4.27 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.86元 (AU$1.25) | AU$3.26 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.11元 (AU$1.09) | AU$5.75 | - 81% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 108元 (AU$23) | AU$19 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (AU$1.68) | AU$2.91 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 14元 (AU$3.06) | AU$2.20 | + 39% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in China is 44% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 9,288元 (AU$1,984) | AU$2,551 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,014元 (AU$1,071) | AU$2,080 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 425元 (AU$91) | AU$179 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 5,505元 (AU$1,176) | AU$1,973 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,029元 (AU$647) | AU$1,400 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 285元 (AU$61) | AU$169 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 98元 (AU$21) | AU$57 | - 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,523元 (AU$539) | AU$552 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 563元 (AU$120) | AU$199 | - 40% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40元 (AU$8) | AU$12 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 46元 (AU$10) | AU$31 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in China is 17% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 468元 (AU$100) | AU$99 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 250元 (AU$53) | AU$72 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 654元 (AU$140) | AU$152 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 642元 (AU$137) | AU$154 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 56% | |||
| Transportation in China is 56% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 133,798元 (AU$28,576) | AU$26,135 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 (AU$1.49) | AU$1.48 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 148元 (AU$32) | AU$149 | - 79% | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 13% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 38元 (AU$8) | AU$9 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 48元 (AU$10) | AU$16 | - 35% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 347元 (AU$74) | AU$70 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 62元 (AU$13) | AU$6 | + 108% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 48元 (AU$10) | AU$4.83 | + 115% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 32元 (AU$7) | AU$5.73 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9元 (AU$1.91) | AU$3.16 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12元 (AU$2.60) | AU$3.68 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 73元 (AU$15) | AU$29 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 34% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 34% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 179元 (AU$38) | AU$54 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 101元 (AU$22) | AU$36 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,068元 (AU$228) | AU$199 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 395元 (AU$84) | AU$104 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 68元 (AU$15) | AU$16 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 33元 (AU$7) | AU$4.72 | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 32元 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,262元 (AU$697) | AU$634 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.31元 (AU$0.07) | AU$0.43 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 343元 (AU$73) | AU$72 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 22元 (AU$4.65) | AU$34 | - 86% | |
| TOTAL | - 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 29, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.21357
AUD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,734 prices entered by 1,398 different people.
Cost of living in China is 39% cheaper than in Australia
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