Cost of living in Shanghai, China

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 元75
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) 元35
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 元23
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 元19
12 eggs, large 元21
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 元13
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 元87
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5.79
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 元129
2 liters of Coca-Cola 元8
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 元20
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area 元14,821
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area 元8,538
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 元501
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area 元8,077
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area 元5,070
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio 元257
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) 元104
40” flat screen TV 元2,591
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) 元717
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 元51
Hourly rate for cleaning help 元33
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 元700
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 元259
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 元631
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 元844
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new 元105,530
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 元7
Monthly ticket public transport 元194
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 元54
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35
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 元39
4 rolls of toilet paper 元10
Tube of toothpaste 元19
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 元82
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 元165
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448
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 元81
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 元35
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 元44
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB 元3,219
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 元0.64
1 month of gym membership in business district 元412
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes 元20
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 903 prices entered by 152 different people.
Latest price update: July 17, 2018.

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International Schools in Shanghai

Shanghai position in our World Ranking

the world
185th
out of 347
asia
5th
out of 34

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

the world
3rd
the world
5th
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
2nd

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Internet connection 300 Mbps

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1 month
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