Cost of living in Shanghai, China

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 元61
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21
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 元15
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 元97
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 元20
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 元13
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 元6
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 元135
2 liters of Coca-Cola 元9
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 元17
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area 元14,407
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area 元8,631
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 元432
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area 元7,224
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area 元4,696
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio 元299
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) 元135
40” flat screen TV 元3,265
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) 元964
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 元56
Hourly rate for cleaning help 元30
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 元736
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 元338
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 元852
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 元1,093
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new 元170,936
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 元7
Monthly ticket public transport 元221
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 元53
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) 元34
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 元40
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) 元660
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) 元34
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 元35
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 元39
4 rolls of toilet paper 元13
Tube of toothpaste 元19
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 元83
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 元248
2 tickets to the movies 元147
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 元518
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 元503
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 元78
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 元35
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 元44
iPod nano 16GB 元1,141
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 元0.51
1 month of gym membership in business district 元544
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes 元21
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 1,146 prices entered by 161 different people.
Latest price update: June 27, 2017.

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
134th
out of 271
asia
5th
out of 26

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

the world
1st
the world
2nd
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st

Do you live in Shanghai? We need your help!

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Furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area

in Shanghai?

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