The cost of living in China can vary substantially among neighborhoods, cities, and regions.Beijing and Shanghai, for example, are much more expensive than secondary cities such as Chengdu or Kunming, ...
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The cost of living in China can vary substantially among neighborhoods, cities, and regions.
Beijing and Shanghai, for example, are much more expensive than secondary cities such as Chengdu or Kunming, which in turn are more expensive than smaller cities and countryside and your lifestyle (if you like drinking whiskey and cola in the elegant bars of Shanghai and buy extra virgin olive oil at the City Shop you will spend more than those who shop at Perry’s – a bar for students on Huai Hai Road where a bottle of Tsingtao beer will cost you 10 Yuan – and those who only eat Chinese food). For example, you may struggle to find a small apartment in the center of Beijing or Shanghai for less than $800 per month. Expect to pay at least 2,500-3,500 Yuan a month for a room in a shared apartment in Beijing or Shanghai (at least if you don’t want to live in the deep peripheries). In other cities, the rent is much more economical but it depends on the individual case. You’ll also have to pay for electricity, water gas, and the internet. According to our data, you shouldn’t spend more than 400-600 Yuan a month. The expenses are for the entire apartment so if you live with others you should pay just a portion. You’ll also need a cell phone. In general, 100 Yuan a month should be enough (also counting the internet) but it depends on your use. A meal could cost you only 10-15 Yuan for a plate of jiaozi (ravioli) or of lamian (noodles). If however, you want to eat meat and fish regularly and visit elegant restaurants, prices rice quickly. It depends on your diet. The subway and buses are still economical; let’s say 5 yuan a day (or 150 yuan a month). Taxis are becoming expensive, especially in Shanghai and Beijing, but are still much cheaper than those that you’ll find in Europe or the United States. Let’s review: Rent (at least 3,000 Yuan) + utilities (at least 200 Yuan) + telephone bills (100 Yuan, with internet) + food (at least 2,100 Yuan for a high-quality diet, at least 1,100 Yuan for a diet that includes a lot of rice, pasta, and potatoes) + transportation (at least 150 Yuan) + going shopping (clothes) at least = 4,500-5,500 Yuan a month.
Let’s say, therefore that the starting point is 4,500 Yuan a month in Beijing or Shanghai. Clearly you should add expenses for entertainment (travel, dining out, alcohol, cigarettes, some tea), clothes, health insurance, visas, international flights, and unforeseen expenses. Keep in mind that in China it is very common to perceive different benefits beyond just salary. This can go from 5 Kg of rice for the Spring Festival up to total reimbursement for rent, transportation within the interior of the country (even taxis), health insurance, visas and an international flight a year. KEY TAKEAWAYS
Below is a table that provides a rough overview of the cost of living for the major urban centers in China as well as a couple of second-tier cities. In smaller cities, prices are even lower. Transportation
 Utilities (Monthly Cost)
Accommodation (Monthly Rent)
Sport and Leisure
Eating and Drinking Out
 Market
Clothing<td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Jeans (Levi's or similar)"}" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); text-align: center;">Jeans (Levi’s or similar)
Other
Monthly expenses (according to your profile)In the table below we’ve listed expenses for three profiles that, even if they’re imaginary, reflect an accurate enough representation of three different lifestyles. The first profile, which we have called “the Prude”, is the one that tries to save money in all possible ways: he has a room rented in a shared apartment far from the city center, uses only public transport, rarely frequents clubs, and instead of eating in restaurants cooks at home. The second profile, which we’ve called the “Average ex-pat”, is one who concedes a few “luxuries” without going to extremes. The average ex-pat has a shared apartment in the center of the city, hits the clubs 2-3 times a week, every once in a while (especially at night) takes a taxi and often eats out, even if he often settles for a cheap Chinese restaurant.
The third profile, the so-called “Party animal”, is someone who doesn’t care about expenses: he lives in a studio in the center of the city, without roommates to break his balls, gets around exclusively by taxi, goes out often, eats almost only in “ex-pat” restaurants, indulges in two massages a week, etc. <tr style="box-sizing: border
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