Cost of living in United States compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 62% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 62% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (102元) | 45元 | + 124% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (55元) | 34元 | + 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.32 (30元) | 15元 | + 97% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.87 (6元) | 15元 | - 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.00 (21元) | 13元 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.07 (29元) | 8元 | + 253% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (44元) | 59元 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.37 (24元) | 15元 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.73 (12元) | 6.00元 | + 103% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.19 (22元) | 5.17元 | + 334% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (103元) | 112元 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.92 (13元) | 8元 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.08 (15元) | 14元 | + 5% | |
| Housing | + 117% | |||
| Housing in United States is 117% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,234 (15,698元) | 9,398元 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,604 (11,270元) | 4,943元 | + 128% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (1,254元) | 431元 | + 191% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,611 (11,319元) | 5,740元 | + 97% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,141 (8,016元) | 3,007元 | + 167% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $117 (821元) | 285元 | + 188% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 (337元) | 96元 | + 252% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $301 (2,115元) | 2,464元 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $121 (847元) | 561元 | + 51% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (77元) | 38元 | + 101% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (158元) | 47元 | + 233% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 8% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (342元) | 481元 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 (309元) | 250元 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (611元) | 647元 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $114 (801元) | 620元 | + 29% | |
| Transportation | + 100% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 100% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,966 (161,389元) | 134,340元 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.77 (5.43元) | 7元 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $80 (560元) | 149元 | + 276% | |
| Personal Care | + 40% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 40% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (51元) | 37元 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (143元) | 45元 | + 216% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (771元) | 347元 | + 122% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (46元) | 62元 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.51 (25元) | 47元 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.03 (35元) | 31元 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.52 (25元) | 8元 | + 198% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.83 (13元) | 12元 | + 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (153元) | 71元 | + 117% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (315元) | 177元 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (173元) | 100元 | + 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $220 (1,546元) | 1,029元 | + 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (529元) | 395元 | + 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (83元) | 68元 | + 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.82 (34元) | 33元 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.82 (41元) | 31元 | + 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $405 (2,849元) | 3,256元 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.19 (1.32元) | 0.31元 | + 325% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (377元) | 335元 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (57元) | 22元 | + 159% | |
| TOTAL | + 77% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2020.
Exchange rate:
7.027
CNY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 53,892 prices entered by 6,796 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 77% more expensive than in China
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