- Cost of Living
- China
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 53元 ($8) | $14 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 34元 ($4.93) | $8 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 ($2.13) | $4.54 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15元 ($2.20) | $0.89 | + 147% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 ($2.27) | $3.17 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8元 ($1.17) | $4.01 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 59元 ($9) | $6 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 ($1.94) | $3.34 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.94) | $1.60 | - 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.70元 ($0.83) | $3.44 | - 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113元 ($16) | $15 | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 8元 ($1.11) | $1.91 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 ($1.77) | $2.13 | - 17% | |
| Housing | - 51% | |||
| Housing in China is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 9,764元 ($1,414) | $2,045 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 4,456元 ($645) | $1,582 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 445元 ($64) | $177 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 5,568元 ($806) | $1,587 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 3,549元 ($514) | $1,129 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 307元 ($44) | $121 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 82元 ($12) | $48 | - 75% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 2,135元 ($309) | $334 | - 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 678元 ($98) | $119 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 38元 ($5.52) | $11 | - 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 39元 ($5.59) | $23 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in China is 0% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 568元 ($82) | $47 | + 74% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 260元 ($38) | $45 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 609元 ($88) | $85 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 674元 ($98) | $115 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in China is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 143,359元 ($20,754) | $22,371 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 ($1.07) | $0.77 | + 38% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 152元 ($22) | $85 | - 74% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 26元 ($3.75) | $7 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 31元 ($4.55) | $18 | - 75% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | 364元 ($53) | $111 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 29元 ($4.25) | $7 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 35元 ($5.07) | $3.50 | + 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 37元 ($5.42) | $5.14 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10元 ($1.39) | $3.49 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 ($1.94) | $1.86 | + 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 60元 ($9) | $21 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 155元 ($22) | $45 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 87元 ($13) | $25 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 797元 ($115) | $173 | - 33% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 379元 ($55) | $79 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 60元 ($9) | $12 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 34元 ($4.87) | $4.86 | + 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 33元 ($4.85) | $5.88 | - 18% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | 3,290元 ($476) | $425 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.97元 ($0.14) | $0.34 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 302元 ($44) | $54 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | 20元 ($2.90) | $8 | - 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 17, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.14477
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 96,393 prices entered by 13,789 different people.
Cost of living in China is 43% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 4% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 62% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 20% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 29% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 40% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 36% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 63% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 7% more expensive than in United States