Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 35% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 48元 (C$9) | C$19 | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 34元 (C$7) | C$11 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17元 (C$3.31) | C$7 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (C$2.75) | C$2.48 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14元 (C$2.74) | C$3.84 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9元 (C$1.71) | C$4.43 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 65元 (C$13) | C$10 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 (C$2.59) | C$3.85 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (C$1.24) | C$2.58 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.97元 (C$1.17) | C$3.13 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 86元 (C$17) | C$17 | - 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (C$1.69) | C$2.26 | - 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 11元 (C$2.15) | C$2.18 | - 2% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in China is 42% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 7,626元 (C$1,494) | C$2,270 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,707元 (C$922) | C$1,744 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 429元 (C$84) | C$172 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,661元 (C$1,305) | C$1,695 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,214元 (C$630) | C$1,263 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 246元 (C$48) | C$109 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 81元 (C$16) | C$53 | - 70% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,117元 (C$415) | C$369 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 718元 (C$141) | C$159 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 48元 (C$9) | C$11 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 45元 (C$9) | C$23 | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in China is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 427元 (C$84) | C$72 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 236元 (C$46) | C$49 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 541元 (C$106) | C$110 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 545元 (C$107) | C$140 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in China is 45% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 156,177元 (C$30,597) | C$25,273 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 (C$1.28) | C$1.14 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 185元 (C$36) | C$119 | - 69% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 7% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 30元 (C$5.94) | C$11 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 34元 (C$7) | C$20 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 388元 (C$76) | C$75 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 33元 (C$6) | C$8 | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 47元 (C$9) | C$4.94 | + 85% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 41元 (C$8) | C$5.34 | + 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 (C$1.66) | C$3.17 | - 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12元 (C$2.45) | C$2.55 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 73元 (C$14) | C$25 | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 22% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 185元 (C$36) | C$54 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 92元 (C$18) | C$29 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 945元 (C$185) | C$153 | + 21% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 415元 (C$81) | C$93 | - 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 70元 (C$14) | C$12 | + 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 33元 (C$6) | C$4.84 | + 34% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 35元 (C$7) | C$7 | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,346元 (C$656) | C$561 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.61元 (C$0.12) | C$0.42 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 360元 (C$71) | C$57 | + 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 21元 (C$4.12) | C$14 | - 71% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 04, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.19591
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,287 prices entered by 1,488 different people.
Cost of living in China is 36% cheaper than in Canada
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