Cost of living in United States compared to Taiwan
Currency:
| Food | + 86% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 86% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (711 NT$) | 168 NT$ | + 323% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (395 NT$) | 146 NT$ | + 170% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.81 (192 NT$) | 75 NT$ | + 155% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.11 (36 NT$) | 105 NT$ | - 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.29 (174 NT$) | 85 NT$ | + 106% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.87 (161 NT$) | 100 NT$ | + 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (242 NT$) | 493 NT$ | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.25 (140 NT$) | 128 NT$ | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.31 (76 NT$) | 112 NT$ | - 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.57 (118 NT$) | 52 NT$ | + 126% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (586 NT$) | 540 NT$ | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.93 (97 NT$) | 65 NT$ | + 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.16 (104 NT$) | 41 NT$ | + 156% | |
| Housing | + 103% | |||
| Housing in United States is 103% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,252 (107,268 NT$) | 42,310 NT$ | + 154% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,455 (80,996 NT$) | 22,702 NT$ | + 257% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $230 (7,583 NT$) | 2,768 NT$ | + 174% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,252 (74,299 NT$) | 23,783 NT$ | + 212% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,657 (54,659 NT$) | 10,761 NT$ | + 408% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $165 (5,442 NT$) | 1,448 NT$ | + 276% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $63 (2,079 NT$) | 706 NT$ | + 194% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $255 (8,397 NT$) | 13,215 NT$ | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $145 (4,779 NT$) | 3,854 NT$ | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (481 NT$) | 365 NT$ | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (1,130 NT$) | 2,723 NT$ | - 59% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 6% cheaper than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (1,918 NT$) | 3,000 NT$ | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (1,682 NT$) | 1,723 NT$ | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (3,474 NT$) | 2,273 NT$ | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $142 (4,693 NT$) | 3,000 NT$ | + 56% | |
| Transportation | + 93% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 93% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,773 (1,015,227 NT$) | 958,771 NT$ | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.95 (31 NT$) | 31 NT$ | - 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $87 (2,877 NT$) | 981 NT$ | + 193% | |
| Personal Care | + 52% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 52% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (296 NT$) | 200 NT$ | + 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (679 NT$) | 600 NT$ | + 13% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $162 (5,337 NT$) | 1,500 NT$ | + 256% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (302 NT$) | 327 NT$ | - 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.25 (173 NT$) | 183 NT$ | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (225 NT$) | 289 NT$ | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.12 (169 NT$) | 61 NT$ | + 177% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.34 (77 NT$) | 69 NT$ | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (1,021 NT$) | 761 NT$ | + 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 123% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 123% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
| United States | Taiwan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (2,013 NT$) | 700 NT$ | + 188% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (996 NT$) | 700 NT$ | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $230 (7,585 NT$) | 6,000 NT$ | + 26% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (3,415 NT$) | 800 NT$ | + 327% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (492 NT$) | 350 NT$ | + 41% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.86 (193 NT$) | 180 NT$ | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (248 NT$) | 227 NT$ | + 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $490 (16,175 NT$) | 12,917 NT$ | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.54 (18 NT$) | 5.05 NT$ | + 253% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (2,379 NT$) | 1,091 NT$ | + 118% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (376 NT$) | 136 NT$ | + 177% | |
| TOTAL | + 93% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,699 prices entered by 2,022 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
32.990
TWD
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 93% more expensive than in Taiwan
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