Cost of living in Taiwan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Taiwan is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 192 NT$ ($6) | $19 | - 67% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 142 NT$ ($4.65) | $10 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 134 NT$ ($4.38) | $5.95 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 94 NT$ ($3.06) | $1.09 | + 182% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 121 NT$ ($3.96) | $4.92 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 115 NT$ ($3.76) | $4.79 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 244 NT$ ($8) | $7 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 136 NT$ ($4.44) | $4.70 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 92 NT$ ($3.02) | $2.54 | + 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 49 NT$ ($1.59) | $3.09 | - 48% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 454 NT$ ($15) | $16 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 53 NT$ ($1.75) | $2.74 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 59 NT$ ($1.92) | $3.08 | - 38% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Taiwan is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 44,530 NT$ ($1,455) | $2,998 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 29,734 NT$ ($971) | $2,220 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,421 NT$ ($46) | $218 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,075 NT$ ($656) | $1,962 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 13,077 NT$ ($427) | $1,466 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 639 NT$ ($21) | $147 | - 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 768 NT$ ($25) | $63 | - 60% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 14,757 NT$ ($482) | $287 | + 68% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,650 NT$ ($54) | $132 | - 59% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 99 NT$ ($3.23) | $14 | - 76% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 572 NT$ ($19) | $31 | - 39% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Taiwan is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,350 NT$ ($77) | $54 | + 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 972 NT$ ($32) | $45 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,705 NT$ ($88) | $93 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,514 NT$ ($115) | $120 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Taiwan is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 874,225 NT$ ($28,558) | $27,716 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 31 NT$ ($1.02) | $1.06 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,309 NT$ ($43) | $83 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Taiwan is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 244 NT$ ($8) | $8 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 244 NT$ ($8) | $20 | - 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 699 NT$ ($23) | $136 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 199 NT$ ($7) | $8 | - 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 177 NT$ ($5.79) | $4.85 | + 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 289 NT$ ($9) | $6 | + 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 63 NT$ ($2.05) | $4.74 | - 57% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 69 NT$ ($2.26) | $2.19 | + 3% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 800 NT$ ($26) | $27 | - 4% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Taiwan is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Taiwan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 NT$ ($16) | $55 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 644 NT$ ($21) | $28 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 6,000 NT$ ($196) | $198 | - 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,243 NT$ ($41) | $89 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 402 NT$ ($13) | $13 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 104 NT$ ($3.41) | $5.21 | - 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 74 NT$ ($2.41) | $6 | - 62% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 9,403 NT$ ($307) | $567 | - 46% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.05 NT$ ($0.16) | $0.20 | - 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,192 NT$ ($39) | $59 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 129 NT$ ($4.21) | $10 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.03267
USD
/
TWD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,251 prices entered by 2,855 different people.
Cost of living in Taiwan is 43% cheaper than in United States
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