Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 33% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 45元 (C$9) | C$19 | - 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (C$7) | C$11 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16元 (C$3.16) | C$8 | - 60% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15元 (C$2.96) | C$2.54 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 (C$3.13) | C$4.26 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9元 (C$1.79) | C$4.58 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 49元 (C$10) | C$10 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 (C$2.64) | C$3.97 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.68元 (C$1.12) | C$2.64 | - 58% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (C$1.22) | C$3.36 | - 64% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113元 (C$22) | C$18 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (C$1.56) | C$2.54 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (C$2.61) | C$2.05 | + 27% | |
| Housing | - 22% | |||
| Housing in China is 22% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,793元 (C$2,520) | C$2,244 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,580元 (C$1,493) | C$1,665 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 330元 (C$65) | C$191 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,692元 (C$1,318) | C$1,490 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,369元 (C$860) | C$1,122 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 431元 (C$85) | C$130 | - 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 101元 (C$20) | C$55 | - 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,837元 (C$362) | C$372 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 521元 (C$103) | C$167 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 29元 (C$5.64) | C$11 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 47元 (C$9) | C$27 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in China is 9% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 527元 (C$104) | C$71 | + 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 262元 (C$52) | C$55 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 655元 (C$129) | C$116 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 794元 (C$156) | C$141 | + 11% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in China is 40% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 142,424元 (C$28,053) | C$26,505 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 (C$1.37) | C$1.36 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 182元 (C$36) | C$95 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 20% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 29元 (C$5.72) | C$10 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 34元 (C$7) | C$23 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 639元 (C$126) | C$119 | + 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 21元 (C$4.09) | C$9 | - 52% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 26元 (C$5.16) | C$5.00 | + 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 29元 (C$5.72) | C$5.11 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 (C$2.26) | C$3.15 | - 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 10元 (C$1.90) | C$2.45 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 94元 (C$18) | C$24 | - 24% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 26% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 266元 (C$52) | C$58 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 105元 (C$21) | C$29 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 759元 (C$149) | C$157 | - 5% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 377元 (C$74) | C$104 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 72元 (C$14) | C$12 | + 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 31元 (C$6) | C$5.18 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 22元 (C$4.31) | C$7 | - 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,037元 (C$598) | C$566 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24元 (C$0.05) | C$0.48 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 418元 (C$82) | C$61 | + 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30元 (C$6) | C$14 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.19697
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,961 prices entered by 936 different people.
Cost of living in China is 27% cheaper than in Canada
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Canada
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is about the same as in Canada
- Cost of living in Angola is 23% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 7% more expensive than in Canada
- Cost of living in Albania is 46% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 61% more expensive than in Canada
- Cost of living in Andorra is 7% more expensive than in Canada
- Cost of living in Armenia is 54% cheaper than in Canada