Cost of living in China compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 37% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 40元 (AU$9) | AU$21 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (AU$8) | AU$13 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17元 (AU$3.64) | AU$6 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (AU$3.06) | AU$1.62 | + 89% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17元 (AU$3.57) | AU$5.99 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9元 (AU$1.91) | AU$6 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 47元 (AU$10) | AU$8 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 (AU$2.82) | AU$4.28 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (AU$1.34) | AU$3.17 | - 58% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (AU$1.44) | AU$6 | - 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 109元 (AU$23) | AU$19 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10元 (AU$2.19) | AU$3.27 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (AU$2.81) | AU$2.70 | + 4% | |
| Housing | - 27% | |||
| Housing in China is 27% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 14,739元 (AU$3,154) | AU$3,032 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,008元 (AU$1,714) | AU$2,141 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 550元 (AU$118) | AU$219 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,389元 (AU$1,581) | AU$1,988 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,500元 (AU$963) | AU$1,535 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 535元 (AU$115) | AU$161 | - 29% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 116元 (AU$25) | AU$73 | - 66% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,711元 (AU$366) | AU$535 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 577元 (AU$124) | AU$222 | - 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 50元 (AU$11) | AU$12 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 58元 (AU$12) | AU$37 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in China is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 529元 (AU$113) | AU$112 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 289元 (AU$62) | AU$67 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 676元 (AU$145) | AU$147 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 819元 (AU$175) | AU$162 | + 8% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in China is 53% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 150,238元 (AU$32,152) | AU$31,217 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (AU$1.77) | AU$1.97 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 205元 (AU$44) | AU$157 | - 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 2% | |||
| Personal Care in China is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28元 (AU$6) | AU$8 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 27元 (AU$5.77) | AU$15 | - 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 442元 (AU$95) | AU$77 | + 23% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 30元 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 19元 (AU$4.15) | AU$4.68 | - 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 44元 (AU$9) | AU$4.80 | + 94% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 21元 (AU$4.51) | AU$3.05 | + 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 18元 (AU$3.77) | AU$3.17 | + 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 91元 (AU$19) | AU$34 | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 30% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 280元 (AU$60) | AU$61 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 123元 (AU$26) | AU$41 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 417元 (AU$89) | AU$253 | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 333元 (AU$71) | AU$105 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 90元 (AU$19) | AU$20 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 31元 (AU$7) | AU$4.95 | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 22元 (AU$4.61) | AU$10 | - 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,620元 (AU$775) | AU$736 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24元 (AU$0.05) | AU$0.25 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 416元 (AU$89) | AU$76 | + 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 47元 (AU$10) | AU$44 | - 77% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 05, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.21401
AUD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,298 prices entered by 430 different people.
Cost of living in China is 34% cheaper than in Australia
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