Cost of living in Shanghai, China

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 78元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) 38元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 22元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 19元
12 eggs, large 22元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 13元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 85元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 20元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 9元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 5.72元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 121元
2 liters of Coca-Cola 8元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 21元
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area 14,572元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area 9,245元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 445元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area 9,308元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area 6,212元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio 219元
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) 110元
40” flat screen TV 2,149元
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) 724元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 44元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 35元
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 747元
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 267元
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 644元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 887元
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new 138,685元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 7元
Monthly ticket public transport 193元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 56元
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) 25元
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 35元
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) 875元
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) 35元
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 45元
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 38元
4 rolls of toilet paper 11元
Tube of toothpaste 20元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 103元
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 143元
2 tickets to the movies 114元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 1,074元
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 475元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 84元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 33元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 46元
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB 3,127元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.79元
1 month of gym membership in business district 484元
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes 20元
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 846 prices entered by 136 different people.
Latest price update: November 16, 2018.

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
182nd
out of 340
asia
6th
out of 35

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

the world
2nd
the world
4th
the world
5th
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st

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