Cost of living in China compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46元 (¥916) | ¥1,025 | - 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 (¥787) | ¥723 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16元 (¥314) | ¥519 | - 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 18元 (¥357) | ¥197 | + 82% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 19元 (¥371) | ¥316 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (¥215) | ¥629 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 63元 (¥1,235) | ¥962 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (¥306) | ¥902 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (¥125) | ¥574 | - 78% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (¥145) | ¥285 | - 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 118元 (¥2,328) | ¥1,208 | + 93% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (¥167) | ¥184 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16元 (¥325) | ¥206 | + 58% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in China is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 15,059元 (¥297,446) | ¥326,267 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 9,006元 (¥177,901) | ¥171,772 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 421元 (¥8,322) | ¥28,488 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,547元 (¥149,075) | ¥157,603 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,347元 (¥85,872) | ¥82,713 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 262元 (¥5,177) | ¥24,082 | - 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 115元 (¥2,278) | ¥4,699 | - 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,143元 (¥22,573) | ¥47,482 | - 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 589元 (¥11,626) | ¥32,093 | - 64% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 39元 (¥761) | ¥1,313 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 51元 (¥1,004) | ¥1,878 | - 47% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in China is 16% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 529元 (¥10,452) | ¥6,136 | + 70% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 248元 (¥4,896) | ¥5,199 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 626元 (¥12,362) | ¥8,989 | + 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 828元 (¥16,355) | ¥13,588 | + 20% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in China is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 161,247元 (¥3,185,043) | ¥2,700,660 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9元 (¥169) | ¥165 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 204元 (¥4,020) | ¥10,143 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 39元 (¥770) | ¥2,497 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 27元 (¥531) | ¥1,967 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 391元 (¥7,715) | ¥5,380 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 53元 (¥1,041) | ¥650 | + 60% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 33元 (¥656) | ¥938 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 34元 (¥680) | ¥702 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13元 (¥260) | ¥218 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (¥291) | ¥216 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 74元 (¥1,467) | ¥3,927 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| China | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 265元 (¥5,227) | ¥4,141 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 110元 (¥2,178) | ¥3,600 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,294元 (¥25,569) | ¥4,000 | + 539% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 348元 (¥6,869) | ¥5,993 | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 79元 (¥1,560) | ¥984 | + 59% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29元 (¥581) | ¥472 | + 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 18元 (¥354) | ¥575 | - 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,321元 (¥65,605) | ¥101,122 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.20元 (¥4) | ¥52 | - 92% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 410元 (¥8,107) | ¥9,280 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 24元 (¥478) | ¥592 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
19.753
JPY
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,092 prices entered by 237 different people.
Cost of living in China is 25% cheaper than in Japan
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