Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46元 ($7) | $19 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 ($5.61) | $10 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16元 ($2.24) | $5.78 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 18元 ($2.55) | $1.08 | + 136% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 19元 ($2.65) | $4.96 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 ($1.53) | $4.69 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 63元 ($9) | $7 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 ($2.18) | $4.68 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.90) | $2.52 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 ($1.03) | $3.05 | - 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 118元 ($17) | $16 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 ($1.19) | $2.76 | - 57% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16元 ($2.32) | $3.00 | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in China is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 15,059元 ($2,123) | $2,844 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 9,006元 ($1,269) | $2,149 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 421元 ($59) | $222 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,547元 ($1,064) | $1,889 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,347元 ($613) | $1,445 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 262元 ($37) | $150 | - 75% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 115元 ($16) | $64 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,143元 ($161) | $299 | - 46% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 589元 ($83) | $137 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 39元 ($5.43) | $14 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 51元 ($7) | $31 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in China is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 529元 ($75) | $54 | + 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 248元 ($35) | $45 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 626元 ($88) | $93 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 828元 ($117) | $119 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in China is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 161,247元 ($22,728) | $27,977 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9元 ($1.21) | $1.05 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 204元 ($29) | $79 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 39元 ($5.50) | $8 | - 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 27元 ($3.79) | $21 | - 82% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 391元 ($55) | $139 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 53元 ($7) | $8 | - 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 33元 ($4.68) | $4.83 | - 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 34元 ($4.85) | $6 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13元 ($1.86) | $4.78 | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 ($2.08) | $2.24 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 74元 ($10) | $27 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 265元 ($37) | $55 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 110元 ($16) | $28 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,294元 ($182) | $200 | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 348元 ($49) | $89 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 79元 ($11) | $14 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29元 ($4.14) | $5.19 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 18元 ($2.53) | $6 | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,321元 ($468) | $563 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.20元 ($0.03) | $0.20 | - 86% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 410元 ($58) | $55 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 24元 ($3.41) | $10 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14095
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 23,230 prices entered by 2,947 different people.
Cost of living in China is 44% cheaper than in United States
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