Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 41元 ($5.78) | $21 | - 73% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 38元 ($5.32) | $12 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 ($2.05) | $5.91 | - 65% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 ($1.95) | $1.09 | + 79% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 ($2.19) | $5.63 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 ($1.46) | $4.82 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 ($7) | $8 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 ($2.26) | $4.22 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.90) | $2.29 | - 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 ($0.93) | $3.72 | - 75% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 89元 ($12) | $18 | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 ($1.12) | $2.94 | - 62% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 ($1.75) | $3.01 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in China is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,256元 ($1,569) | $3,065 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,248元 ($732) | $2,351 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 450元 ($63) | $236 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,564元 ($915) | $2,219 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,518元 ($490) | $1,619 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 ($41) | $169 | - 76% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 ($14) | $61 | - 77% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 ($203) | $249 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 ($77) | $150 | - 49% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 ($5.99) | $15 | - 61% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50元 ($7) | $34 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in China is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 ($58) | $58 | + 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 302元 ($42) | $49 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 ($77) | $106 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 ($98) | $142 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in China is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 137,169元 ($19,121) | $30,910 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 ($1.05) | $0.93 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 228元 ($32) | $85 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 54% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 45元 ($6) | $10 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 59元 ($8) | $24 | - 66% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 ($16) | $167 | - 91% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 ($9) | $10 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 ($8) | $5.32 | + 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 ($3.48) | $7 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6元 ($0.86) | $5.08 | - 83% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 ($2.14) | $2.38 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 64元 ($9) | $31 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| China | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 169元 ($24) | $61 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 100元 ($14) | $31 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 ($164) | $234 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 ($45) | $104 | - 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 ($11) | $15 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 ($3.85) | $6 | - 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 ($2.67) | $8 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,680元 ($513) | $464 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 ($0.05) | $0.52 | - 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 394元 ($55) | $71 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 ($3.45) | $11 | - 69% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.13940
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,505 prices entered by 1,898 different people.
Cost of living in China is 56% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 55% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 18% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 41% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 24% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 28% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 16% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States