Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 36% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 58元 (C$11) | C$23 | - 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 42元 (C$8) | C$13 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (C$2.91) | C$8 | - 65% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 18元 (C$3.51) | C$3.06 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 19元 (C$3.78) | C$5.14 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (C$2.10) | C$4.79 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 59元 (C$12) | C$10 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (C$3.15) | C$4.58 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (C$1.34) | C$3.05 | - 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (C$1.21) | C$3.42 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 131元 (C$26) | C$18 | + 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11元 (C$2.14) | C$2.62 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 14元 (C$2.76) | C$3.04 | - 9% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in China is 33% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 13,552元 (C$2,665) | C$2,808 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,345元 (C$1,641) | C$2,248 | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 445元 (C$87) | C$219 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,828元 (C$1,539) | C$1,943 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,160元 (C$818) | C$1,567 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 225元 (C$44) | C$133 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 123元 (C$24) | C$70 | - 65% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,393元 (C$274) | C$416 | - 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 646元 (C$127) | C$195 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 74元 (C$15) | C$14 | + 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 51元 (C$10) | C$30 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in China is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 491元 (C$96) | C$81 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 261元 (C$51) | C$52 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 609元 (C$120) | C$122 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 662元 (C$130) | C$148 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in China is 44% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 150,872元 (C$29,670) | C$29,369 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9元 (C$1.73) | C$1.85 | - 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 206元 (C$40) | C$112 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 44% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 29元 (C$5.76) | C$12 | - 52% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 23元 (C$4.46) | C$30 | - 85% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 371元 (C$73) | C$101 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 37元 (C$7) | C$9 | - 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23元 (C$4.54) | C$6 | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 33元 (C$7) | C$5.78 | + 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 14元 (C$2.67) | C$4.13 | - 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 (C$2.56) | C$3.03 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 63元 (C$12) | C$31 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 24% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 267元 (C$52) | C$67 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 114元 (C$22) | C$30 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,234元 (C$243) | C$163 | + 49% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 473元 (C$93) | C$109 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (C$16) | C$13 | + 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35元 (C$7) | C$5.11 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 31元 (C$6) | C$7 | - 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,289元 (C$647) | C$760 | - 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24元 (C$0.05) | C$0.43 | - 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 449元 (C$88) | C$58 | + 52% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 29元 (C$5.71) | C$17 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.19666
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,186 prices entered by 980 different people.
Cost of living in China is 33% cheaper than in Canada
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