Prices and Cost of Living in China

Food and beverage prices in China

Popular food products found on store shelves in China include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 7.52 CNY (1.04 USD) for a kilo of onions to 90.61 CNY (12.52 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 8.57 CNY (1.18 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 17.93 CNY (2.48 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 10.72 CNY (1.48 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 15.64 CNY (2.16 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 4.46 CNY (0.62 USD). Dairy prices in China, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 19.58 CNY (2.71 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 120 CNY (16.59 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 33.54 CNY (4.63 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 15.62 CNY (2.16 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 10.28 CNY (1.42 USD) per kilo.

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in China vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 27.66 CNY (3.82 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 3.76 CNY (0.52 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 40 CNY (5.53 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 290 CNY (40.07 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 40 CNY (5.53 USD).

How much does transportation cost in China?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 4 CNY (0.55 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 200 CNY (27.63 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 15 CNY (2.07 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 3 CNY (0.41 USD).

Fuel prices in China

Average fuel prices in China are 8.46 CNY (1.17 USD) per liter of gasoline and 7.54 CNY (1.04 USD) per liter of diesel.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in China?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in China varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 3997 CNY (552 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 7757 CNY (1072 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 124226 CNY (17165 USD) per square meter.