Cost of living in China compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 55元 ($9) | $15 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 37元 ($5.73) | $8 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16元 ($2.54) | $4.27 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 13元 ($2.07) | $0.88 | + 136% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14元 ($2.18) | $2.89 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8元 ($1.31) | $4.18 | - 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 56元 ($9) | $6 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 ($1.99) | $3.45 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 ($1.08) | $1.76 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 ($0.94) | $3.12 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 119元 ($19) | $14 | + 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 ($1.35) | $1.99 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10元 ($1.49) | $2.19 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in China is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 7,672元 ($1,190) | $2,197 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,711元 ($731) | $1,575 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 412元 ($64) | $179 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,031元 ($1,090) | $1,541 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,064元 ($630) | $1,144 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 279元 ($43) | $115 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 88元 ($14) | $52 | - 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,091元 ($324) | $271 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 619元 ($96) | $126 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 ($7) | $11 | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 41元 ($6) | $22 | - 71% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in China is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 415元 ($64) | $47 | + 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 211元 ($33) | $43 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 590元 ($92) | $86 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 663元 ($103) | $107 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in China is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 159,594元 ($24,752) | $23,579 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 6元 ($1.00) | $0.66 | + 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 176元 ($27) | $73 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 28% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 30元 ($4.64) | $7 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 36元 ($5.55) | $16 | - 66% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 440元 ($68) | $111 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 35元 ($5.40) | $7 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 38元 ($5.83) | $3.46 | + 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 36元 ($5.52) | $4.85 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10元 ($1.48) | $3.66 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 11元 ($1.63) | $1.82 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 80元 ($12) | $22 | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 206元 ($32) | $47 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 98元 ($15) | $25 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 743元 ($115) | $199 | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 429元 ($66) | $78 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67元 ($10) | $12 | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35元 ($5.44) | $4.94 | + 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 32元 ($4.95) | $5.65 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,535元 ($548) | $425 | + 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.68元 ($0.11) | $0.25 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 481元 ($75) | $49 | + 52% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 23元 ($3.53) | $8 | - 57% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.15510
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,021 prices entered by 4,362 different people.
Cost of living in China is 36% cheaper than in United States
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