Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 42元 ($5.88) | $15 | - 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 34元 ($4.71) | $8 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 ($2.16) | $4.33 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15元 ($2.09) | $0.88 | + 139% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 13元 ($1.85) | $2.98 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8元 ($1.12) | $4.03 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 53元 ($7) | $6 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 14元 ($2.01) | $3.36 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.82元 ($0.81) | $1.77 | - 54% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.36元 ($0.75) | $3.16 | - 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 103元 ($14) | $14 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 ($1.06) | $1.94 | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 ($2.04) | $2.04 | - 0% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in China is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 8,839元 ($1,233) | $2,263 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,621元 ($645) | $1,626 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 386元 ($54) | $177 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 5,293元 ($738) | $1,630 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,034元 ($423) | $1,160 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 280元 ($39) | $109 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 87元 ($12) | $47 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,283元 ($319) | $298 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 525元 ($73) | $118 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 38元 ($5.36) | $11 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50元 ($7) | $22 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in China is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 447元 ($62) | $49 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 235元 ($33) | $45 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 608元 ($85) | $86 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 568元 ($79) | $112 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in China is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 129,883元 ($18,117) | $22,927 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 ($0.96) | $0.75 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 151元 ($21) | $81 | - 74% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 32元 ($4.51) | $7 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 34元 ($4.72) | $20 | - 76% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 357元 ($50) | $110 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 40元 ($5.52) | $7 | - 17% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 50元 ($7) | $3.56 | + 95% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 33元 ($4.57) | $5.10 | - 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 ($1.13) | $3.58 | - 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 11元 ($1.50) | $1.83 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 74元 ($10) | $22 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 179元 ($25) | $45 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 96元 ($13) | $25 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,203元 ($168) | $222 | - 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 359元 ($50) | $75 | - 33% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67元 ($9) | $12 | - 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 32元 ($4.46) | $4.84 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 28元 ($3.86) | $5.82 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,283元 ($458) | $397 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.28元 ($0.04) | $0.19 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 312元 ($44) | $53 | - 18% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20元 ($2.78) | $8 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.13948
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 45,801 prices entered by 5,848 different people.
Cost of living in China is 47% cheaper than in United States
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