Prices and Cost of Living in China
Travel Budget Calculator
Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in China. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.
Backpacker's budget
Traveling with a backpack
from 34.17 USD to 42.79 USD
Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 22 December 2024.
How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?
Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 249 CNY (34.17 USD) to 312 CNY (42.79 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 574 CNY (78.67 USD) to 736 CNY (101 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.
Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living
The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in China. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.
Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.
Cheapest products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 4.24 USD to 7.2 USD
Mid-range products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 7.16 USD to 13.29 USD
Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 22 December 2024.
How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in China?
When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 30.94 CNY (4.24 USD) to 52.53 CNY (7.2 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 52.24 CNY (7.16 USD) to 96.97 CNY (13.29 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.
Budget and shopping basket update: 22 December 2024
Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.
Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.
BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).
TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).
FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.
Prices in China
Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in China, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: Shanghai.
Grocery Store Prices
| Apples (1kg) | 2.14 USD |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.47 USD |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 12.42 USD |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 13.71 USD |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 4.60 USD |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 3.43 USD |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 0.87 USD |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 2.14 USD |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.89 USD |
| Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre | 12.36 USD |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.83 USD |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.46 USD |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 16.46 USD |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 2.68 USD |
| Onion (1kg) | 1.03 USD |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.96 USD |
| Potato (1kg) | 0.83 USD |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.17 USD |
| Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre | 7.50 USD |
| Tomato (1kg) | 1.41 USD |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.61 USD |
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 (1.03 USD) for a kilo of onions to 90.61 CNY (12.42 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 8.57 CNY (1.17 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 17.93 CNY (2.46 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 10.72 CNY (1.47 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 15.64 CNY (2.14 USD) per kilo.
Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 4.46 CNY (0.61 USD). Dairy prices in China, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 19.58 CNY (2.68 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 120 CNY (16.46 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 33.54 CNY (4.6 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 15.62 CNY (2.14 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 10.28 CNY (1.41 USD) per kilo.
Restaurant Prices
| Cappuccino (regular) | 3.79 USD |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.52 USD |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 1.37 USD |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.11 USD |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 5.48 USD |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 39.75 USD |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 5.48 USD |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.32 USD |
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 (3.79 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 (5.48 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 290 CNY (39.75 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 40 CNY (5.48 USD).
Public Transportation Prices
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 27.41 USD |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.55 USD |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 8.22 USD |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 0.41 USD |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 2.06 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 (27.41 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 15 CNY (2.06 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 3 CNY (0.41 USD).
Fuel Prices
| Diesel 1L | 1.00 USD |
| Gasoline 1L | 1.13 USD |
Fuel prices in China
Average fuel prices in China are 8.23 CNY (1.13 USD) per liter of gasoline and 7.3 CNY (1 USD) per liter of diesel.
Entertainment Prices
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 8.22 USD |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 61.69 USD |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 15.96 USD |
Apartment Rental Prices
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1 063 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 548 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 2 890 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1 486 USD |
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 (548 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 7757 CNY (1063 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 124226 CNY (17026 USD) per square meter.
Apartment Buying Prices
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 17 026 USD |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 9 306 USD |
Average Salary
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 1 419 USD |
Hotel Prices in China
A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.
What is the average cost of a hotel room?
Accommodation prices in China vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Shanghai (December 2024) ranges from 226 CNY (31 USD) per night in a hostel to about 608 CNY (83 USD) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 1165 CNY (160 USD) upwards.
• Prices for products and services in Shanghai. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.
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