Cost of Living in China for Expats

Published on October 1, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Navigating China’s cultural mosaic as an expatriate is a fascinating adventure, but understanding the cost of living in this vibrant country is essential for settling in comfortably.

With its dynamic megacities like Beijing and Shanghai offering a blend of modern and traditional culture, China presents unique financial challenges. The differences between developed coastal cities and often more affordable inland regions highlight the need for careful budget planning.

From soaring housing prices in urban areas to the economic realities of everyday consumer goods, this guide will illuminate the daily costs you should prepare for to live peacefully in the heart of the Middle Kingdom.

Understanding the Cost of Living in China for Expatriates

The cost of living in China for expatriates varies significantly depending on the city, lifestyle, and certain external economic factors. On average, it remains considerably lower than in many Western countries (about 35 to 50% lower than in France), but significant disparities persist between major metropolitan areas and less urbanized regions.

Expense Category	Beijing	Shanghai	Medium-sized/Rural Cities
1-bedroom apartment downtown	~$900–915/month	~$915/month	~$270/month

⬛︎ The actual cost will always depend largely on the lifestyle adopted by the expatriate as well as their ability to adapt to local customs.

Managing Your Expatriate Budget: Concrete Examples

Managing your expatriate budget in China requires adapting to local habits, price structures, and the digital financial environment.

Cost of Living Comparison

Expense Category	China (major city)	France (major city)	Estimated Difference
1-bedroom rent downtown	$515 / month	$960–1280 / month	-50% to -60%
Total monthly cost	$865	$1815	-51%
Simple meal	$3–5	$13–16	-65%
Monthly transportation	$28	~$80–96	-60%

Concrete Examples of Common Expenses

• Rent: From $515 for a one-bedroom apartment downtown to over $1065 for three bedrooms. Cheaper in the suburbs or small towns.
• Food:
  • Local groceries: rice ($0.43/kg), eggs ($0.75/kg), chicken ($1.92/kg).
  • Cheap restaurants: around $3. Average restaurant: up to ~$16.
  • Imported products significantly more expensive than local products.
• Transportation:
  • Subway/bus ticket: from $0.32. Monthly pass about $28.
  • Taxi starting fare: ~$1.92, then additional per km (~$0.37/km).
  • Shared bikes very common and economical (~$0.21 per short trip).
• Healthcare:
  • Private international clinic consultation: often between $32 and over $106, depending on specialty. Insurance strongly recommended as the public system is poorly suited for non-Mandarin speaking expatriates.
• Entertainment:
  • Local cinema: ~$5
  • Meals in international restaurants or clubbing outings much more expensive.

Practical Tips for Managing Your Daily Budget

• Use local mobile apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay to track your expenses and take advantage of special offers (cashback, coupons…).
• Sign up for loyalty programs at Chinese supermarkets or international chains present locally.
• Prioritize local markets over international supermarkets to save on daily food expenses.
• Join expatriate groups on WeChat/QQ/Facebook where tips for temporary housing/shared accommodations/bulk purchasing circulate.

Concrete Saving Strategies

• Regularly compare the Euro/Yuan rate before any major bank transfer; prioritize Wise/Revolut/HSBC Expat depending on the transfer volume.
• Always negotiate the rent, especially for long-term commitments (>6 months).

Recommended Apps

• Alipay & WeChat Pay – contactless payment everywhere
• Meituan & Dianping – restaurant/delivery promotions
• Didi Chuxing – taxi with integrated coupons
• Xiaohongshu/Little Red Book – sharing experiences/tips among expatriates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating the actual cost of housing in major international Chinese metropolises like Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen where demand is very high in certain neighborhoods sought by expatriates.
• Systematically buying imported products when there is often a much cheaper local equivalent.
• Forgetting essential private health insurance in case of a serious accident or long-term hospitalization.

Illustrative Testimonials

“I saved nearly half of my initial food budget simply by switching to the local market after a few weeks… Mobile apps have become my best allies for spotting restaurant deals and cashback!” (Marie C., French teacher in Chengdu)

“After joining a French-speaking WeChat group dedicated to expats in my city, I found a well-located shared accommodation almost twice as cheap as what was offered through traditional agencies.” (Lucas G., telecom engineer Shanghai)

Managing your budget in China relies on flexibility in the face of cultural and technological differences — anticipating your essential needs through active monitoring via digital communities often helps avoid financial surprises while fully enjoying the local lifestyle.

Comparing China: A Price Overview Relative to Other Destinations

Category	China	United States	United Kingdom	Australia	France
Housing	Much cheaper: monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment downtown in a major city (Shanghai, Beijing) ranges between $530 and $1065, often half that in secondary cities.	New York, San Francisco: $2665 to $4265 for a 2-bedroom downtown. Other major cities: $1600 to $2665.	London: $2130 to $3200 for a 2-bedroom downtown. Secondary cities: $1280 to $1920.	Sydney, Melbourne: $1920 to $2665 for a 2-bedroom downtown.	Paris: $1705 to $2665 for a 2-bedroom downtown. Other regions: $850 to $1280.
Food	Standard restaurant meal: $3 to $6. Monthly groceries for one person: $106 to $192.	Standard restaurant meal: $16 to $27. Monthly groceries: $320 to $480.	Standard meal: $16 to $27. Monthly groceries: $266 to $426.	Standard meal: $13 to $21. Monthly groceries: $266 to $373.	Standard meal: $14 to $27. Monthly groceries: $213 to $373.
Transportation	Subway: $0.53 to $0.85 per ticket. Gasoline: $0.85/L (approx. $0.78/L).	Subway: $2 to $3 per ticket. Gasoline: $0.83/L (approx. $0.76/L).	Subway: $2.66 to $3.73. Gasoline: $1.81/L (approx. $1.66/L).	Subway: $2 to $3. Gasoline: $1.19/L (approx. $1.09/L).	Subway: $2.02 to $2.24. Gasoline: $1.90/L.
Entertainment	Cinema: $5 to $7. Gym: $27 to $43/month.	Cinema: $13 to $19. Gym: $43 to $85/month.	Cinema: $13 to $19. Gym: $43 to $64/month.	Cinema: $13 to $16. Gym: $43 to $75/month.	Cinema: $11 to $15. Gym: $32 to $53/month.
Electricity	$0.086 / kWh (very low)	$0.191 / kWh	$0.44 / kWh (2025)	$0.22 / kWh	$0.208 / kWh

Factors Explaining Price Differences:

• Standard of living and salaries: Average salaries are much higher in the West, leading to higher prices, especially for housing and services.
• Local availability and production: China mass-produces its everyday consumer goods (food, clothing, electronics), which reduces costs for the consumer.
• Real estate market structure: In China, the housing supply is abundant in many cities, limiting rent surges outside hyper-centers. Conversely, London, New York, or Paris experience strong real estate pressure.
• Subsidies and taxes: Certain sectors (energy, transportation) benefit from public subsidies in China, making some services significantly cheaper than in the West.
• Consumption habits: Entertainment and outings remain more affordable in China, as the average purchasing power of locals is lower and the supply adapts to this reality.

Expatriate Testimonials and Anecdotes:

“In Shanghai, I pay a third of the price of my former rent in Paris for an apartment twice as big. Taxis cost so little that I hardly use my car anymore.”

“The cost of eating out is unbeatable, but imported products (cheeses, wines, Western cereals) remain expensive, sometimes more than in Europe.”

“If major Chinese cities are becoming more expensive year by year, they remain much more affordable than London or Sydney, especially for housing and entertainment.”

Visual Summary of Average Monthly Cost Differences for a Single Person (excluding rent):

Destination	Monthly Expenses (excluding rent)
China	$373 to $640
United States	$960 to $1280
United Kingdom	$850 to $1170
Australia	$850 to $1065
France	$745 to $1065

China remains one of the most affordable expatriation destinations for daily expenses, particularly excluding imported products and in major secondary cities.