The Cost of Living in China

China's rising economy and large talent pool of diversified and highly-skilled labor force have made the country an appealing location for working individuals and enterprises. One common concern among those who are thinking about moving to China or visiting for any length of time is the expense of living there. This essay will analyze the cost of living in China to provide an answer to this pressing subject.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Living in China?

There are a lot of moving parts when figuring out how much money you'll need to survive in China. Things like rent or mortgage payments, gas and electric bills, groceries and entertainment expenses all count. And large Chinese cities have a greater cost of living than their smaller counterparts. Prices in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou tend to be much higher than the national average in both rent and property values.

Housing

Let’s start with housing. In general, housing costs in China are quite reasonable compared to other countries. Depending on location, a one-bedroom flat may cost anywhere between 1,500RMB and 8,000RMB per month. However, rent in some of the biggest cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, will be higher than in rural areas. For instance, a studio flat may cost around 5,000RMB in Beijing and 4,000RMB in Shanghai. Additionally, you may also incur additional costs such as protection fees and deposits when signing your lease.

Food and Entertainment

In China, food prices are generally quite affordable. A meal at a local eatery may cost no more than 50RMB, while dinner at a high-end restaurant might set you back around 200RMB. Of course, you could easily spend less than that if you choose to dine at places that offer cheaper meals.

When it comes to entertainment, you can find plenty of ways to have a good time at low cost. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are home to numerous attractions such as museums and parks, while in other cities you can enjoy a night out at the movies, or go shopping at a local market. A movie ticket typically costs around 40RMB, while a night at a karaoke bar may range between 100RMB and 200RMB.

Utility Bills and Groceries

Although utility bills such as electricity and gas are quite affordable in China, you should always factor in the cost of these when planning your budget. In most places, the monthly bill is 100-200RMB. On the other hand, grocery prices will vary from one city to the next. Typically, you can buy a kilo of rice for as little as 6RMB.

Transportation

Finally, transportation costs in China are also very reasonable. In most cities, a one-way ticket on the metro may cost no more than 5RMB, and the same is valid for trains and buses. Additionally, most cities offer bike-sharing services such as Biki and Mobike, which cost about 1RMB for every hour spent riding.

How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in China?

A lower cost of living may be expected in China, particularly in the country's less populous and less industrialized towns. How much money you will need to support your current way of life and your aspirations in China might be estimated in light of these factors.

Budget between 10,000 and 15,000 RMB monthly to rent an apartment if you want to have a modest lifestyle that includes going out on weekends and seeing local sites. An extra 3,000RMB is needed to cover incidental costs like travel and entertainment.

But, if you plan on treating yourself to the finer things in life and seeing the country's top attractions, you may need a much larger monthly budget. Add at least 5,000RMB to the aforementioned amount if you plan on doing anything really fancy.

Let the right job find you!

Job search function
Recruitment function

Global job opportunities for Chinese companies

GEOR provides 100,000+ jobs for foreigners in China and around the world.
Employment Solutions
Free legal advice
Get professional foreign-related legal advice
GEORJOBAPP
Help Chinese companies recruit and hire foreigners around the world
app

Worldwide Talent Acquisition

GEOR provides a global human resource labor management platform tailored to your requirements. We will connect you with top-notch international talent while ensuring your hiring processes align with local labor regulations. Access Talent Globally through our International Recruitment Solutions.
img

Explore Chinese Job Vacancies

As a top-tier provider of recruitment outsourcing services, we offer expat job opportunities in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, whether you're in Asia Pacific, Europe, or the Americas. For additional career opportunities and job listings in China, please log in or register to access more detailed information.
GEOR Global Recruitment is an industry-leading recruitment outsourcing service provider, we are committed to achieving compliant and efficient global recruitment for all kinds of companies around the world. We provide one-stop human resource solutions for digital global employee recruitment and management for Chinese overseas enterprises with our technology platform and professional services, and aspire to become a global human resource labor management platform, which mainly provides foreigner recruitment, foreign talent recruitment, overseas talent recruitment, foreigner job search, foreign talent network, foreigner recruitment network in China, foreign talent recruitment platform, foreign talent job search platform, foreigner talent Recruitment in China, Overseas Foreign Talent Recruitment, Foreign Talent Job Hunting in China, Foreign Talent Headhunting Service, Overseas Foreign Talent Job Hunting, Foreign Talent Intermediary Service, Foreign Talent Recruitment Platform, Foreign Talent Job Hunting Platform and so on. The company has branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Suzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Ningbo, Qingdao and Changsha. Our global market experts provide a range of customized recruitment solutions based on your needs. Whether in Asia Pacific, Europe or the Americas, we will match you with the best international talent and ensure that your recruitment practices comply with local labor laws. Our experts have a unique insight into all aspects and every step of the overseas recruitment process. We offer our experience and expertise in everything from inquiring about interviews and developing offer letters to onboarding employees. By leaving the complex hassles of overseas recruiting in our hands, you can save more time and focus on your company goals of global expansion success.

Overseas Employment Agencies and International Recruitment

Whether you're looking for job opportunities abroad or planning to hire foreign talent, our guide has all the information you need. Explore the latest job openings, receive expert agency recommendations, and learn how to secure employment overseas. Don't miss out on global career opportunities; discover trustworthy international employment services right here.
Jobs
Candidates
Blog
Me