Cost of living in Shanghai, China

Summary of cost of living in Shanghai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 28,810元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 18,703元
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is more expensive than in 68% of cities in Asia (7 out of 19)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is cheaper than in 68% of cities in the World (145 out of 214)
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List of prices in Shanghai
Current as of Sep 2023.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 48元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 42元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 17元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 20元
12 eggs, large 20元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 12元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 61元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 16元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 6元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 6元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 107元
2 liters of coca-cola 9元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 18元
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 19,628元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 10,536元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 480元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 8,088元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 4,506元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 295元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 117元
40” flat screen tv 1,733元
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 702元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 52元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 52元
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 539元
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 265元
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 612元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 874元
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 164,664元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 8元
Monthly ticket public transport 205元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 43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 13元
Tube of toothpaste 15元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 98元
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 316元
2 tickets to the movies 117元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 1,606元
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 349元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 85元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 29元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 16元
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,149元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.20元
1 month of gym membership in business district 441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 529 prices entered by 45 different people.
Latest price update: September 30, 2023

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
145th
out of 214
asia
7th
out of 19

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

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

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International Cost of Living Index

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