Cost of living in Albania compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 38% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 38% more expensive than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 872 Lek (74元) | 41元 | + 77% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 901 Lek (76元) | 38元 | + 99% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 370 Lek (31元) | 15元 | + 112% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 155 Lek (13元) | 14元 | - 7% | |
12 eggs, large | 346 Lek (29元) | 16元 | + 86% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 205 Lek (17元) | 10元 | + 65% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 482 Lek (41元) | 50元 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (15元) | 16元 | - 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 88 Lek (7元) | 6元 | + 15% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 117 Lek (10元) | 7元 | + 47% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,286 Lek (108元) | 89元 | + 22% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 189 Lek (16元) | 8元 | + 98% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 58 Lek (4.88元) | 13元 | - 61% | |
Housing | - 34% | |||
Housing in Albania is 34% cheaper than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,370 Lek (4,583元) | 11,256元 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 47,310 Lek (3,988元) | 5,248元 | - 24% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Lek (590元) | 450元 | + 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (2,730元) | 6,564元 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (2,127元) | 3,518元 | - 40% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (573元) | 296元 | + 93% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,317 Lek (111元) | 100元 | + 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (2,459元) | 1,460元 | + 68% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (1,711元) | 553元 | + 209% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 600 Lek (51元) | 43元 | + 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (81元) | 50元 | + 63% | |
Clothes | + 17% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 17% more expensive than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (330元) | 418元 | - 21% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (300元) | 302元 | - 1% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (1,264元) | 553元 | + 129% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (1,093元) | 705元 | + 55% | |
Transportation | - 14% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 14% cheaper than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (46,364元) | 137,169元 | - 66% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 189 Lek (16元) | 8元 | + 111% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,718 Lek (145元) | 228元 | - 37% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 7% cheaper than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (17元) | 45元 | - 62% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (56元) | 59元 | - 5% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (211元) | 114元 | + 85% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (21元) | 67元 | - 69% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (32元) | 57元 | - 44% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (35元) | 25元 | + 39% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (28元) | 6元 | + 356% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (32元) | 15元 | + 110% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (48元) | 64元 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | + 46% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 46% more expensive than in China | ||||
Albania | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,522 Lek (381元) | 169元 | + 125% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,400 Lek (118元) | 100元 | + 18% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,089 Lek (682元) | 320元 | + 113% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,427 Lek (120元) | 81元 | + 49% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (17元) | 28元 | - 39% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (26元) | 19元 | + 38% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (6,322元) | 3,680元 | + 72% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,114 Lek (347元) | 394元 | - 12% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 358 Lek (30元) | 25元 | + 22% | |
TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08430
CNY
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is about the same as in China
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