What is the cost of living for teachers in China?

It should come as no surprise that the high cost of living in China has a considerable influence on the way of life chosen by English instructors in the country. It is even more important than the amount of money they make.

It is interesting to note that the majority of ESL instructors who are seeking for a wonderful job in China focus almost exclusively on the compensation they would want to earn and only give a cursory consideration to the amount of money they will need to cover their living costs. However, in practice, the cost of living in China may be adjusted quite a little, particularly for international instructors.

When compared to large cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the cost of living might be cut in half if you decide to teach in a less well-known part of China. Examples of such places are Wuhan. However, it is likely that the difference in pay will be quite little. In the long run, you will be in a better financial position and will be able to maintain a high quality of life while doing so.

The conclusion may be understood rather easily.

To be fair, a "excellent" level of life might mean very different things to very different people. The point is that even if you don't make the most money possible teaching English in China, you can still have a fulfilling life there even if you don't make the most money of any teacher in the nation. That is, provided it you combine that with a location that has lower overall costs than your intended destination.

How will my living expenses stack up against those in the West?

The majority of Western travelers will find that China is an affordable destination to visit. Particularly when you take into account all you receive for your yuan. You may have a fantastic meal at a local business for as little as two United States dollars, or you can splurge on a "taste of home" supper consisting of New York-style pan pizza and beer for as little as fifteen United States dollars. No matter how you look at it, that's a very low price!

Overall, the fact that you have the ability to spend large (or modest) implies that you can live well on a wage for a beginning teacher in China.

This is only one of the numerous factors that contribute to China's status as a desirable location for English language instructors.

How would you describe the typical day in the life of an international teacher in China? They typically have a cleaner, go on a vacation someplace exciting around once a month, dine out six times a week, treat themselves to massages and trips to the hairdresser, in addition to many evenings out, and keep their wardrobes current by investing in custom-tailored apparel.

What aspects of daily life should I expect to be more costly in China?

Keeping in mind that everything is relative, let's begin with the unpleasant costs, which are the ones that are more likely to put a strain on your financial situation than any of the others.

Anything that was brought in from the Western world.

We're talking about branded apparel, food, and even (sadly) wine and cheese here. These so-called "Western luxury" are subject to very high import duties in China. The locals are willing to shell out top price in order to indulge in aged gorgonzola and drink prosecco. And so will you, my friend.

Dinners at upscale international restaurants often cost three to five times as much as they do at neighborhood eateries that are managed by families no matter where you go in the world. To further illustrate the point, even Pizza Hut is regarded upscale in China (and Asia in general), which means that, to be brutally honest, you can still spend a lot of money on Western cuisine that is just slightly above average.

Expense Chart for the Cost of Living for Foreign Teachers in China

Now is the moment to focus on the most minute aspects of the situation. Take a look at the comparison we've made between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Cities to get a better understanding of how much money you'll need to earn just to stay even.

Now is the moment to focus on the most minute aspects of the situation. Check out the comparison we've made between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Cities to get a better idea of how much money you'll need to make just to stay even.

Be aware that it is possible to have a satisfactory level of life everywhere in China with a monthly income of little over USD 1,000 or slightly less than that amount.

We will also publish the prices in US dollars (USD) for the sake of convenience.

The following are the questions that we here at China by Teaching get asked the most often, and the solutions can be found in our Comprehensive Guide to Teaching in China. You won't have a complete understanding of how changeable the living expenses for instructors in China may be unless you have a fuller and more accurate image in front of you. However, it goes without saying that these are all broad concepts that don't take into account your own credentials and ability to instruct here.