MigrantoCost of living in China
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
CN¥2,670
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
CN¥1,210richest 20%
CN¥7,250
China is a place where what you pay turns largely on where you settle. It makes so much of what it sells that everyday goods stay affordable, yet a comfortable life in the biggest cities costs well more than the same life in a smaller town. The distance between just getting by and living well is real, but it stops short of a chasm.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in China
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in China and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in China
CN¥1,210/mo
vs CN¥5,430 in your country
Take-home
CN¥3,810
vs CN¥8,140 in your country
Potential savings
CN¥2,590
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in China compare
China lands right in the middle of the global pack, and it holds that same middle ground within Asia. That's about what you'd expect from an economy big enough to set its own prices rather than take them from abroad — neither a bargain nor a place that bleeds you.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in China?
A typical person in China spends about CN¥2,670 a month — around CN¥32,100 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in China in US dollars?
The cost of living in China is about $394 a month, or roughly $4,728 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in China?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about CN¥1,210 a month per person, a typical one around CN¥2,670, and a comfortable life around CN¥3,630. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in China enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about CN¥2,670 a month, while the average take-home pay in China is about CN¥5,020. For more on incomes, see salaries in China.
Is China an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. China is more expensive than 51% of countries worldwide and ranks 10th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
Where to live?
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Living in China
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