Cost of living in United States compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 72% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 72% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (117元) | 43元 | + 171% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (61元) | 37元 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.07 (34元) | 17元 | + 103% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.99 (7元) | 14元 | - 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.33 (22元) | 16元 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.43 (30元) | 9元 | + 240% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (46元) | 48元 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.93 (27元) | 13元 | + 107% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.92 (13元) | 6元 | + 114% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.28 (22元) | 7元 | + 230% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (106元) | 97元 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.26 (15元) | 9元 | + 64% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.46 (17元) | 13元 | + 25% | |
| Housing | + 71% | |||
| Housing in United States is 71% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,513 (16,958元) | 13,898元 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,960 (13,224元) | 8,379元 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $206 (1,388元) | 462元 | + 200% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,778 (11,999元) | 6,525元 | + 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,342 (9,057元) | 4,376元 | + 107% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $139 (941元) | 516元 | + 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 (380元) | 140元 | + 171% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $300 (2,023元) | 1,829元 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $134 (903元) | 546元 | + 66% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (83元) | 50元 | + 66% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $26 (177元) | 66元 | + 168% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 (346元) | 511元 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $46 (311元) | 288元 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (621元) | 654元 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $120 (809元) | 844元 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | + 70% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 70% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,474 (171,893元) | 148,501元 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.06 (7元) | 8元 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $77 (517元) | 206元 | + 151% | |
| Personal Care | + 74% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 74% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (50元) | 28元 | + 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (129元) | 27元 | + 377% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $125 (841元) | 386元 | + 118% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (50元) | 30元 | + 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.17 (28元) | 19元 | + 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.50 (37元) | 44元 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.18 (28元) | 21元 | + 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.05 (14元) | 16元 | - 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $25 (170元) | 82元 | + 107% | |
| Entertainment | + 41% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 41% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $49 (330元) | 260元 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $27 (180元) | 122元 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $196 (1,321元) | 417元 | + 216% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $83 (559元) | 319元 | + 75% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (86元) | 90元 | - 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.19 (35元) | 31元 | + 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (42元) | 19元 | + 129% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $499 (3,370元) | 2,968元 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.17 (1.13元) | 0.24元 | + 363% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (356元) | 410元 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (61元) | 38元 | + 64% | |
| TOTAL | + 62% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
6.748
CNY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,286 prices entered by 2,721 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 62% more expensive than in China
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