Cost of living in China compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 42元 (¥853) | ¥1,035 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 39元 (¥781) | ¥840 | - 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14元 (¥291) | ¥618 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (¥282) | ¥237 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 (¥315) | ¥335 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (¥209) | ¥439 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (¥1,014) | ¥1,195 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (¥328) | ¥822 | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (¥131) | ¥509 | - 74% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (¥130) | ¥303 | - 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 89元 (¥1,796) | ¥1,267 | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (¥167) | ¥276 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (¥254) | ¥293 | - 13% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in China is 33% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,713元 (¥257,200) | ¥365,082 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,917元 (¥119,708) | ¥197,136 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 450元 (¥9,097) | ¥19,132 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,564元 (¥132,803) | ¥145,654 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,518元 (¥71,168) | ¥102,459 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (¥5,989) | ¥8,349 | - 28% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (¥2,015) | ¥4,448 | - 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (¥29,528) | ¥74,559 | - 60% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (¥11,186) | ¥25,414 | - 56% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 (¥869) | ¥1,338 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 55元 (¥1,121) | ¥2,815 | - 60% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in China is 7% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (¥8,449) | ¥9,315 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 296元 (¥5,992) | ¥5,103 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (¥11,188) | ¥9,892 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (¥14,258) | ¥12,189 | + 17% | |
| Transportation | - 29% | |||
| Transportation in China is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 148,726元 (¥3,008,986) | ¥3,122,540 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (¥155) | ¥169 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 228元 (¥4,622) | ¥8,198 | - 44% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 42元 (¥844) | ¥2,133 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 59元 (¥1,199) | ¥2,551 | - 53% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (¥2,302) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (¥1,356) | ¥1,337 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (¥1,152) | ¥930 | + 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (¥506) | ¥622 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6元 (¥125) | ¥224 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 (¥253) | ¥188 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 85元 (¥1,711) | ¥4,604 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 178元 (¥3,596) | ¥4,908 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 105元 (¥2,115) | ¥3,881 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 (¥23,849) | ¥7,212 | + 231% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (¥6,477) | ¥8,269 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (¥1,637) | ¥1,244 | + 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (¥558) | ¥547 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 (¥387) | ¥674 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,924元 (¥79,388) | ¥51,659 | + 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (¥7) | ¥52 | - 87% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 412元 (¥8,342) | ¥9,530 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (¥501) | ¥613 | - 18% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,166 prices entered by 210 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
20.232
JPY
/
CNY
Cost of living in China is 29% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 82% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Armenia is 9% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Angola is 42% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Argentina is 12% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 32% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 17% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan