Cost of living in China compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 47% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 41元 (AU$9) | AU$22 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 38元 (AU$8) | AU$15 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (AU$3.12) | AU$7 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (AU$2.98) | AU$1.94 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15元 (AU$3.23) | AU$8 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (AU$2.30) | AU$5.74 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (AU$11) | AU$9 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (AU$3.46) | AU$4.92 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (AU$1.38) | AU$3.73 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (AU$1.43) | AU$7 | - 78% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 89元 (AU$19) | AU$21 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (AU$1.68) | AU$4.03 | - 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (AU$2.61) | AU$2.37 | + 10% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in China is 54% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,256元 (AU$2,399) | AU$3,994 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,000元 (AU$1,066) | AU$2,720 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 450元 (AU$96) | AU$251 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,564元 (AU$1,399) | AU$2,834 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,518元 (AU$750) | AU$2,188 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (AU$63) | AU$190 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (AU$21) | AU$66 | - 68% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (AU$311) | AU$780 | - 60% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (AU$118) | AU$219 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45元 (AU$10) | AU$15 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50元 (AU$11) | AU$37 | - 72% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in China is 30% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (AU$89) | AU$122 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 302元 (AU$64) | AU$97 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (AU$118) | AU$170 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (AU$150) | AU$182 | - 17% | |
| 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 | 142,248元 (AU$30,318) | AU$40,695 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (AU$1.62) | AU$1.94 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 217元 (AU$46) | AU$142 | - 67% | |
| 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) | 45元 (AU$10) | AU$10 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 60元 (AU$13) | AU$23 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (AU$24) | AU$82 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (AU$14) | AU$8 | + 90% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (AU$12) | AU$5.28 | + 130% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (AU$5.33) | AU$7 | - 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6元 (AU$1.31) | AU$4.36 | - 70% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (AU$3.27) | AU$4.58 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 64元 (AU$14) | AU$39 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 58% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 169元 (AU$36) | AU$71 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 100元 (AU$21) | AU$47 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 (AU$251) | AU$356 | - 29% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (AU$68) | AU$141 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (AU$17) | AU$22 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (AU$5.88) | AU$5.56 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 (AU$4.08) | AU$12 | - 67% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,720元 (AU$793) | AU$863 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (AU$0.07) | AU$0.77 | - 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 374元 (AU$80) | AU$94 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (AU$5.28) | AU$45 | - 88% | |
| TOTAL | - 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 06, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21313
AUD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,359 prices entered by 300 different people.
Cost of living in China is 51% cheaper than in Australia
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