Cost of living in Shanghai, China

Summary of cost of living in Shanghai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 26,846元
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 16,597元
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is more expensive than in 74% of cities in Asia (6 out of 19)
  • Cost of living in Shanghai is cheaper than in 56% of cities in the World (134 out of 239)

List of prices in Shanghai, China. Current as of Jul 2020.

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 74元
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 38元
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 20元
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 20元
12 eggs, large 19元
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 10元
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 61元
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 19元
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 6元
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 4.96元
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 133元
2 liters of coca-cola 7元
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 15元
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 16,359元
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 9,402元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 422元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 8,669元
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 5,229元
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 243元
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 92元
40” flat screen tv 2,383元
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 613元
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 56元
Hourly rate for cleaning help 39元
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 624元
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 248元
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 768元
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 961元
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 152,323元
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 7元
Monthly ticket public transport 197元
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 40元
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 23元
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 33元
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 937元
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 49元
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 48元
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 33元
4 rolls of toilet paper 10元
Tube of toothpaste 19元
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 106元
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 212元
2 tickets to the movies 112元
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 1,379元
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 522元
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 86元
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 34元
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 42元
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,292元
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.54元
1 month of gym membership in business district 612元
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 21元
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 410 prices entered by 57 different people.
Latest price update: July 06, 2020

Moving to Shanghai with your children?

International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
134th
out of 239
asia
6th
out of 19

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

the world
4th
the world
5th
asia
1st
asia
2nd
asia
2nd
asia
2nd

Do you live in Shanghai? We need your help!

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Furnished accommodation in NORMAL area

in Shanghai?

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International Cost of Living Index

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