Cost of living in Shanghai, China

Summary of cost of living in Shanghai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 26,510元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 16,532元
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is cheaper than in 50% of cities in Asia (4 out of 8)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is cheaper than in 77% of cities in the World (108 out of 141)
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List of prices in Shanghai
Current as of Jun 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 46元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 40元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 14元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 16元
12 eggs, large 18元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 12元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 54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 88元
2 liters of coca-cola 9元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 15元
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 17,426元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 8,571元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 414元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 7,422元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 3,813元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 287元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 118元
40” flat screen tv 1,630元
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 717元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 55元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 48元
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 428元
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 283元
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 553元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 691元
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 144,857元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 8元
Monthly ticket public transport 234元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 50元
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 40元
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 28元
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 641元
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 67元
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 41元
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 49元
4 rolls of toilet paper 12元
Tube of toothpaste 17元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 105元
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 357元
2 tickets to the movies 116元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 1,600元
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 261元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 87元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 36元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 16元
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,233元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.73元
1 month of gym membership in business district 484元
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 25元
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 230 prices entered by 36 different people.
Latest price update: June 16, 2025

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
108th
out of 141
asia
4th
out of 8

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

asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
2nd
asia
2nd

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International Cost of Living Index

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