Have you fallen under the spell of China during a recent trip? With its unique Asian landscapes, typical markets, rich culture and gastronomy, China attracts thousands of expatriates every year. Whether you are looking to relocate to Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or elsewhere, this guide provides everything you need to know about the cost of living in China.
We cover the following topics:
- The average budget needed to live in China
- The main items of expenditure
- The budget for accommodation
- Transport costs
- The shopping budget
- The cost of medical care – A comparison of the cost of living in China and Western Europe
Overview of the average cost of living in China
| Services | Average price in China |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary | €900 |
| Price of renting a flat | €280 to €480 |
| Flat purchase price per m2 | €3 200 to €7 000 |
| Petrol (1 L) | €1.10 |
| Mobile telecommunications services | Between €4 and €16 |
| Meals for 2 in a restaurant | €25 |
| Cinema | €6.30 per ticket |
The average cost of living for one person in China is €800 , including rent. A family of 4 needs a monthly budget of €2.600.
However, the cost of living in China varies enormously from region to region. To illustrate this disparity, here is the Numbeo ranking of the cost of living indices for the main Chinese cities, from highest to lowest:
- Suzhou : 39,5
- Shanghai : 39,1
- Beijing : 36,8
- Shenzhen : 36,3
- Guangzhou : 35,3
- Hangzhou : 32,8
- Nanjing : 30,1
- Wuhan : 28,3
- Chengdu : 27,9
Despite China’s economic growth, regional inequalities remain deep. This is due in particular to the fact that coastal areas, such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, have benefited from a more rapid opening up to the global market, unlike the regions of western China.
The latter have become major financial and industrial centres, where salaries are higher than in more rural areas. To give you an idea, here is a comparison of minimum monthly wages between three Chinese cities:
- Shanghai : 345 €
- Beijing : 315 €
- Danzhou : 240 €
Currency and exchange rates in China
The official Chinese currency is the yuan, known locally as the ‘renminbi’. It is abbreviated RMB or CNY (for ‘Chinese Yuan’) and is symbolised by the character ‘¥’. Currently, 1 yuan is equivalent to 0.13 euros, or 7.64 yuan to 1 euro. (Index as of 4 December 2024).
Accommodation in China
Here is an average of the prices you should expect to pay for accommodation in China:
- For a one-bedroom flat in the city centre, expect an average budget of CNY1,500 to CNY800 (200 to 1,050 €). Outside the city centre, the price range is CNY 1,000 to 4,000 (130 to 500 €).
- If you want to become a homeowner, you can buy a property at an average price of CNY 53,000 (7,000 €) in the city centre and CNY 24,500 (3,200 €) outside.
Here is a comparison of prices in the country’s largest cities (in euros):
| Type of property | Price in Shanghai | Price in Beijing | Price in Guangzhou | Price in Shenzhen | Price in Dongguan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre | €920 | €870 | €500 | €700 | €335 |
| Rental Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the town centre | €500 | €470 | €280 | €380 | €180 |
| Average purchase price per m2 | €15,000 | €13,500 | €9,300 | €12,000 | €5,300 |
Grocery and food prices
In China, the shopping budget is the biggest monthly expense. However, prices for staple foods remain among the lowest in East Asia.
| Food | Average price in China (in euros) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 l) | 1.75 |
| Water (1,5 l) | 0.50 |
| Bread (500 g) | 1.55 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 0.90 |
| 12 eggs | 1.60 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | 12 |
| Chicken fillet (1 kg) | 3.20 |
| Meat (1 kg) | 10.50 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 1.70 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1.20 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 1.10 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 0.70 |
| Onions (1 kg) | 0.90 |
| Local beer (500 ml) | 0.75 |
| Imported beer (330 ml) | 1.60 |
Transportation
Planning to live in China? There are many ways to get around, whether by car, public transport or bicycle.
Métro
The price of a metro ticket in China varies according to the distance travelled. The first 6 kilometres cost CNY 3 (0.39 €), then CNY 4 (0.52 €) is added for every additional 12 km.
Bus
For buses in urban areas, the starting fare is CNY 2 (approximately 0.26 €) per journey, plus CNY 1 (0.13 €) for every 5 km. For long-distance journeys, the fare is CNY 1 for the first 12 km, then CNY 0.50 (0.065 €) for every 5 km thereafter.
Taxi
For taxis, the starting fare is CNY 10 (1.30 €), with a charge of CNY 2 (0.26 €) per kilometre travelled.
Train
For train journeys, prices vary depending on the destination. For example, a journey between Beijing and Guangzhou costs an average of CNY 700 (91 €).
Car
Finally, for drivers, the average price of fuel is CNY 8.45 (1.10 €) per litre.
Healthcare fees in China
Although China’s healthcare system has undergone significant development in recent years, the quality of infrastructure and healthcare varies widely from one region to another, and between urban and rural areas.
In China, as elsewhere, medical care is offered at different prices in the private and public sectors. However, the latter is divided into two categories:
- Classic, standard public care
- VIP and International Department, with certain advantages such as reduced waiting times.
Here is an example of the prices (in euros) offered for certain medical services:
| Medical services | Private sector price | Standard public sector price | VIP and International public sector prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation with a general practitioner | €35 to €150 | €5 | €25 |
| Consultation with a specialist | €75 to €250 | €8 | €45 |
| Consultation with a dentist | €30 to €60 | €5 | €25 |
| Hospital stay (1 night) | €700 | €8.50 | €400 |
Education
In terms of the education system in China, if you are a parent, here is the budget you need to plan for your child’s schooling:
- Private kindergarten: CNY 3,300 (430 €) per month
- International primary school: CNY 132,700 (17,200 €) per year.
e.g. Beijing: Average range: 20,000–50,000 € per year - Examples:
Western Academy of Beijing (WAB): 30,000–40,000 €/year
International School of Beijing (ISB): 30,000–50,000 €/year
Telecommunications services in China
For monthly services, here is an overview of telecommunications costs in China:
- Mobile package (calls +10 GB data): 78 CNY (10.30 €)
- Internet subscription (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data): 85 CNY (11.20 €)
Leisure activities
There are as many things to do in China as the country is huge! Here are the prices to expect for some unmissable outings:
- Visit the Forbidden City: CNY 40 to 60 (€5.25 to €8)
- Take a hike in Huangshan: CNY 150 to 190 (€20 to €25)
- Go to the cinema: 48 CNY (€6.30)
- Take out a gym membership: 300 CNY (€40)
- Play tennis: 110 CNY (€14) per hour
- Drink a cappuccino in a café: 23 CNY (€3)
- Meal at a mid-range restaurant: 90 CNY (€12)
Cost of living in China compared with Western Europe
The average cost of living in China is 46% lower than in Western Europe, including rent. All items of expenditure are lower in China, including the price of accommodation, the shopping budget and the cost of leisure activities.
However, the average monthly salary in Western Europe is considerably higher: €2,530 compared with €900. Local purchasing power is also 30% higher in many European countries than in China.
Cost of living in China compared with Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The cost of living there is 65% higher than elsewhere in China. In fact, the region is considered to be one of the most expensive in Asia and the world.
If you are interested, find out all about the cost of living in Hong Kong in our dedicated guide.
Cost of living in China compared with neighbouring countries
Compared with Laos
The budget needed to live in Laos is on average 17% higher than in China. However, purchasing power in Laos is more than half that of China. This difference is explained in particular by much lower monthly salaries: around €430 in Laos, compared with an average of €900 in China.
Compared with Vietnam
The cost of living in China is 16% higher than in Vietnam, including rent. However, Chinese purchasing power is 44% higher. For more information, see the following article: cost of living in Vietnam.
Compared with Taiwan
The cost of living in Taiwan is around 35% higher than in China. The main items of expenditure, particularly rent (+36%) and food (+50%) are significantly higher.
This difference is largely due to higher average salaries in Taiwan, which are around €1,680 a month, compared with €900 in China. Taiwanese purchasing power is also 29% higher.