How Much Does It Cost to Live in China?
No matter if you are a young college graduate looking for and dreaming of having a good lifestyle or you are a person in want of a fun neighborhood in a cool city, China might be your option.
Certain lifestyles can be expensive, especially living in a major city, but earning a salary that enables a great lifestyle is possible here.
The country is huge and it is practically impossible to answer this question of how much you would need to lead a decent life here, but some data might be worth considering.
Cost of Living Breakdown in China
RESTAURANTS
China has to offer a variety of food options and the majority of restaurants sell local food at very affordable prices.
You can choose between a family restaurant which is cheaper and high-priced restaurants for those more wealthy citizens.
No matter if the food is cheap, it will definitely take the most of your monthly budget.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.69 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.18 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.32 |
MARKETS
If you are a savvy person, you would not mind checking out the local market in your neighborhood so as to find inexpensive food.
Fruits, vegetables, and little snacks are more affordable here than in larger supermarkets, where the prices are higher, but still quite reasonable.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $2.11 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.86 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.98 |
TRANSPORTATION
On the whole, you will not have to pay a lot for transportation in China, due to the fact that the monthly pass is less than $30.
You can choose efficient buses or metro services to commute to work which only costs $0.44 per ride.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.44 |
| Monthly Pass | $26.58 |
| Gasoline | $0.26 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
China is such a great country when it comes to utilities prices.
Actually, there is almost nowhere in the world where you can find such a developed country with so affordable service prices.
The Internet access is less than $15, per month, while for all the other utilities you will need around $55.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $55.50 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.03 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $13.78 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
Leisure time is very important in China and going to the spa or getting a massage is very frequent.
They also pay attention to a healthy lifestyle, so give pretty much money on sports.
The fitness club passes are affordable, as well as the tennis court rents.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $42.99 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $15.82 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.38 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
China is famous for low-cost clothing available all over the world.
If you buy that kind of apparel, you would not need much money, and that might be the reason why Chinese people spend more on clothes than on utilities.
When designer clothes are in question, they are more expensive, but still not as in some European or American countries.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $59.44 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.10 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $84.02 |
RENT PER MONTH
Wherever in the world you go, the rent will be your greatest cost.
The majority of people experience the same situation in their home countries, but it is worth noting that even though it is the biggest expense, the cost to rent an apartment in China’s major cities is quite lower than in some small towns in the USA.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $668.50 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $363.81 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1490.05 |
HEALTHCARE
China has a broad public health insurance system with multiple schemes covering most residents, funded through payroll contributions and government subsidies.
Public insurance contributions and fees typically average 10 to 20 USD per month.
Private insurance is optional and often costs 30 to 100 USD per month.
Out-of-pocket spending remains significant, averaging about 600 to 1,000 USD per person per year.
With average monthly salaries around 1,200 USD in urban areas, healthcare costs are moderate but can be burdensome for lower-income households.
EDUCATION
Public schools are tuition-free for primary and secondary education, but families pay for books, uniforms, meals, and supplies, often totaling a few hundred dollars per year.
Private schools, especially international schools, charge $10,000 to $40,000 per year.
Public universities charge tuition ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 annually for domestic students, while private universities and international programs can cost $8,000 to $20,000 per year.
Additional costs include housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
The average monthly income is about $1,000, making private education relatively expensive for most households
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in China?
How available things will be and how high their prices are will very much depend on the size of the city you decide to live in.
Rent is not so expensive here, so it would not take you more than 30% of your monthly salary, while most of your money will go for food.
Chinese do not spend too much money on restaurants, but they invest a lot in doing sports and having entertainment.
It is interesting to notice that more money is spent on clothes than on utilities in China, which is not the case in other countries.
Average Costs Breakdown
China: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
As in any country, salaries range widely in China from $200 for workers’ income to over $1000 for professionals.
It is good to know that many companies might offer housing besides the salary to their foreign employees, and make the living situation even better.
If you are thinking of buying a property in China, mortgage interest rates are quite high, above 5%.
So as to save some money on the rent, it is advisable to take an apartment out of the city center, as they are more affordable.
China Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: China Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | MEDIUM |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | HIGH |
Cost of Living by City in China
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
 Beijing |
43.88 |
| Chengdu |
36.16 |
| Guangzhou |
40.29 |
| Shanghai |
50.41 |
| Shenzhen |
42.21 |
| Suzhou |
37.95 |
Have you found any specific cities in China that strike a good balance between cost of living and quality of life? It seems like such a fascinating place to explore those options.