Cost of living in Shanghai, China

Summary of cost of living in Shanghai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 28,223元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 17,990元
  • Shanghai is the 4th most expensive city in Asia (4 out of 14)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is cheaper than in 67% of cities in the World (126 out of 189)
What salary will you need in Shanghai?
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List of prices in Shanghai
Current as of Mar 2024.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 50元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 43元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 17元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 19元
12 eggs, large 21元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 12元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 61元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 17元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 6元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 7元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 117元
2 liters of coca-cola 9元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 16元
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 18,915元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 9,685元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 448元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 8,513元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 4,777元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 273元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 110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.) 55元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 50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 207元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 52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 14元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 105元
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 379元
2 tickets to the movies 114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 468元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 83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) 0.24元
1 month of gym membership in business district 425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 280 prices entered by 35 different people.
Latest price update: March 19, 2024

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
126th
out of 189
asia
4th
out of 14

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

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

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

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