Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 54% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 42元 (C$8) | C$25 | - 68% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (C$7) | C$15 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (C$2.81) | C$10 | - 72% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (C$2.63) | C$3.02 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 (C$2.95) | C$5.75 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (C$2.01) | C$5.96 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (C$10) | C$12 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (C$3.09) | C$5.48 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (C$1.26) | C$4.18 | - 70% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (C$1.27) | C$4.05 | - 69% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 94元 (C$18) | C$23 | - 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (C$1.64) | C$3.48 | - 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (C$2.38) | C$3.12 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in China is 50% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,689元 (C$2,407) | C$3,242 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,937元 (C$1,126) | C$2,682 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 450元 (C$85) | C$259 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,875元 (C$1,304) | C$2,239 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,656元 (C$693) | C$1,855 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (C$56) | C$143 | - 61% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (C$19) | C$72 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (C$277) | C$373 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (C$105) | C$237 | - 56% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 (C$8) | C$18 | - 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 55元 (C$11) | C$34 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in China is 15% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (C$79) | C$89 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 296元 (C$56) | C$65 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (C$105) | C$131 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (C$134) | C$170 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in China is 47% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 148,726元 (C$28,213) | C$33,025 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (C$1.46) | C$1.67 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 228元 (C$43) | C$111 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 41% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 51元 (C$10) | C$13 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84元 (C$16) | C$29 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (C$22) | C$175 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (C$13) | C$11 | + 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (C$11) | C$8 | + 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (C$4.74) | C$7 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 7元 (C$1.32) | C$4.20 | - 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 (C$2.37) | C$3.88 | - 39% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 85元 (C$16) | C$34 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 47% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 178元 (C$34) | C$74 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 109元 (C$21) | C$35 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 (C$224) | C$200 | + 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (C$61) | C$133 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (C$15) | C$16 | - 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (C$5.25) | C$6.00 | - 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15元 (C$2.88) | C$8 | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,924元 (C$744) | C$658 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (C$0.06) | C$0.45 | - 86% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 414元 (C$78) | C$62 | + 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (C$4.74) | C$20 | - 76% | |
| TOTAL | - 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.18970
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,050 prices entered by 585 different people.
Cost of living in China is 47% cheaper than in Canada
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