Cost of living in Shanghai, China

Summary of cost of living in Shanghai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 29,650元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 18,983元
  • Shanghai is the most expensive city in China (1 out of 6)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is more expensive than in 87% of cities in Asia (5 out of 30)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is more expensive than in 60% of cities in the World (108 out of 269)
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List of prices in Shanghai
Current as of Jul 2022.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 52元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 40元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 18元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 18元
12 eggs, large 21元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 9元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 57元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 17元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 7元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 7元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 108元
2 liters of coca-cola 12元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 17元
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 19,438元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 10,813元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 496元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 8,897元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 5,716元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 252元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 200元
40” flat screen tv 1,919元
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 579元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 66元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 43元
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 568元
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 301元
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 700元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 841元
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 162,296元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 8元
Monthly ticket public transport 219元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 46元
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 27元
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 33元
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 1,048元
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 62元
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 46元
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 37元
4 rolls of toilet paper 11元
Tube of toothpaste 18元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 140元
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 320元
2 tickets to the movies 118元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 1,566元
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 399元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 101元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 32元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 23元
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,197元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.22元
1 month of gym membership in business district 521元
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 26元
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 332 prices entered by 30 different people.
Latest price update: July 01, 2022

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Did you know that ...

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
108th
out of 269
asia
5th
out of 30
china
1st
out of 6

Cheapest and most expensive products in Shanghai compared to other cities:

the world
2nd
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
2nd

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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new

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International Cost of Living Index

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