Cost of living in Shanghai, China

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 元74
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) 元36
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 元21
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 元19
12 eggs, large 元22
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 元13
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 元81
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 元21
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 元8
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 元6
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 元123
2 liters of Coca-Cola 元8
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 元21
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area 元15,186
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area 元8,937
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 元477
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area 元8,126
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area 元5,205
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio 元246
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) 元108
40” flat screen TV 元2,733
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) 元673
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 元46
Hourly rate for cleaning help 元34
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 元737
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 元267
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 元604
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 元841
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new 元116,829
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 元7
Monthly ticket public transport 元192
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 元56
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) 元25
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 元35
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) 元875
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) 元35
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 元41
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 元38
4 rolls of toilet paper 元10
Tube of toothpaste 元19
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 元91
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 元138
2 tickets to the movies 元137
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 元1,024
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 元413
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 元82
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 元33
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 元45
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB 元3,127
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 元0.65
1 month of gym membership in business district 元501
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes 元20
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 839 prices entered by 143 different people.
Latest price update: September 24, 2018.

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International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
193rd
out of 338
asia
6th
out of 34

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

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

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