Cost of living in Taiwan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Taiwan is 28% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 192 NT$ (44元) | 46元 | - 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 142 NT$ (33元) | 40元 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 134 NT$ (31元) | 16元 | + 96% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 94 NT$ (22元) | 18元 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 121 NT$ (28元) | 19元 | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 115 NT$ (26元) | 11元 | + 145% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 244 NT$ (56元) | 62元 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 136 NT$ (31元) | 15元 | + 103% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 92 NT$ (21元) | 6元 | + 240% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 49 NT$ (11元) | 7元 | + 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 454 NT$ (104元) | 116元 | - 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 53 NT$ (12元) | 9元 | + 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 59 NT$ (14元) | 16元 | - 17% | |
| Housing | - 23% | |||
| Housing in Taiwan is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 44,530 NT$ (10,250元) | 15,641元 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 29,734 NT$ (6,844元) | 9,134元 | - 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,421 NT$ (327元) | 405元 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,075 NT$ (4,621元) | 7,815元 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 13,077 NT$ (3,010元) | 4,294元 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 639 NT$ (147元) | 249元 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 768 NT$ (177元) | 114元 | + 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 14,757 NT$ (3,397元) | 1,086元 | + 213% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,650 NT$ (380元) | 589元 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 99 NT$ (23元) | 39元 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 572 NT$ (132元) | 51元 | + 159% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in Taiwan is 4% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,350 NT$ (541元) | 524元 | + 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 972 NT$ (224元) | 247元 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,705 NT$ (623元) | 629元 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,514 NT$ (809元) | 843元 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in Taiwan is 25% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 874,225 NT$ (201,224元) | 161,247元 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 31 NT$ (7元) | 9元 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,309 NT$ (301元) | 204元 | + 48% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Taiwan is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 244 NT$ (56元) | 39元 | + 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 244 NT$ (56元) | 27元 | + 109% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 699 NT$ (161元) | 391元 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 199 NT$ (46元) | 53元 | - 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 177 NT$ (41元) | 33元 | + 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 289 NT$ (67元) | 34元 | + 93% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 63 NT$ (14元) | 13元 | + 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 69 NT$ (16元) | 15元 | + 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 800 NT$ (184元) | 74元 | + 148% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Taiwan is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Taiwan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 NT$ (115元) | 265元 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 644 NT$ (148元) | 110元 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 6,000 NT$ (1,381元) | 1,294元 | + 7% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,243 NT$ (286元) | 348元 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 402 NT$ (93元) | 79元 | + 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 104 NT$ (24元) | 29元 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 74 NT$ (17元) | 18元 | - 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 9,403 NT$ (2,164元) | 3,321元 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.05 NT$ (1.16元) | 0.20元 | + 481% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,192 NT$ (274元) | 410元 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 129 NT$ (30元) | 24元 | + 23% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.23017
CNY
/
TWD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,616 prices entered by 171 different people.
Cost of living in Taiwan is about the same as in China
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