Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 43元 ($6) | $17 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 37元 ($5.53) | $9 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17元 ($2.53) | $5.11 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 ($2.14) | $0.99 | + 116% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 ($2.46) | $3.34 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9元 ($1.31) | $4.43 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 48元 ($7) | $7 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 ($1.92) | $3.93 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.91) | $1.92 | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 ($1.00) | $3.30 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 97元 ($15) | $16 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 ($1.39) | $2.26 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 ($1.98) | $2.47 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in China is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 13,898元 ($2,080) | $2,517 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,379元 ($1,254) | $1,960 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 462元 ($69) | $204 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,525元 ($977) | $1,774 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,376元 ($655) | $1,342 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 516元 ($77) | $139 | - 44% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 140元 ($21) | $56 | - 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,829元 ($274) | $300 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 546元 ($82) | $135 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 50元 ($7) | $12 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 66元 ($10) | $27 | - 63% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in China is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 511元 ($76) | $51 | + 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 288元 ($43) | $46 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 654元 ($98) | $92 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 844元 ($126) | $120 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | - 41% | |||
| Transportation in China is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 148,501元 ($22,228) | $25,474 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 ($1.23) | $1.06 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 206元 ($31) | $77 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28元 ($4.24) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 27元 ($4.04) | $19 | - 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 386元 ($58) | $125 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 30元 ($4.51) | $7 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 19元 ($2.90) | $4.17 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 44元 ($7) | $5.50 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 21元 ($3.16) | $4.18 | - 24% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16元 ($2.37) | $2.05 | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 82元 ($12) | $25 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 28% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 260元 ($39) | $49 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 122元 ($18) | $27 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 417元 ($62) | $196 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 319元 ($48) | $84 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 90元 ($13) | $13 | + 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 31元 ($4.65) | $5.19 | - 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 ($2.77) | $6 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 2,968元 ($444) | $492 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24元 ($0.04) | $0.17 | - 78% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 410元 ($61) | $53 | + 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 38元 ($5.62) | $9 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | - 38% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.14968
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,320 prices entered by 2,722 different people.
Cost of living in China is 38% cheaper than in United States
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