Cost of living in United States compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 91% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 91% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (132元) | 46元 | + 185% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (71元) | 40元 | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.79 (41元) | 16元 | + 160% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (8元) | 18元 | - 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.96 (35元) | 19元 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.69 (33元) | 11元 | + 208% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (49元) | 63元 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.66 (33元) | 15元 | + 115% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.49 (18元) | 6元 | + 180% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.11 (22元) | 7元 | + 203% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (114元) | 118元 | - 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.78 (20元) | 8元 | + 135% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.99 (21元) | 16元 | + 30% | |
| Housing | + 93% | |||
| Housing in United States is 93% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,827 (20,181元) | 15,059元 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,145 (15,311元) | 9,006元 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $220 (1,570元) | 421元 | + 273% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,885 (13,458元) | 7,547元 | + 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,443 (10,301元) | 4,347元 | + 137% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $145 (1,036元) | 262元 | + 295% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (455元) | 115元 | + 294% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $297 (2,124元) | 1,143元 | + 86% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $135 (965元) | 589元 | + 64% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (96元) | 39元 | + 150% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (225元) | 51元 | + 343% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 8% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (384元) | 529元 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (322元) | 248元 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (666元) | 626元 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (848元) | 828元 | + 2% | |
| Transportation | + 84% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 84% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,876 (199,004元) | 161,247元 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (7元) | 9元 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (566元) | 204元 | + 178% | |
| Personal Care | + 94% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 94% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (60元) | 39元 | + 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (142元) | 27元 | + 430% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (990元) | 391元 | + 153% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (60元) | 53元 | + 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.82 (34元) | 33元 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (45元) | 34元 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.77 (34元) | 13元 | + 158% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.25 (16元) | 15元 | + 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (193元) | 74元 | + 160% | |
| Entertainment | + 64% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 64% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United States | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $55 (395元) | 265元 | + 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (198元) | 110元 | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $195 (1,392元) | 1,294元 | + 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $90 (642元) | 348元 | + 85% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (98元) | 79元 | + 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.20 (37元) | 29元 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (45元) | 18元 | + 149% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $552 (3,941元) | 3,321元 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (1.49元) | 0.20元 | + 647% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (387元) | 410元 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (71元) | 24元 | + 195% | |
| TOTAL | + 80% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.139
CNY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 23,157 prices entered by 2,929 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 80% more expensive than in China
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