Are you moving to China soon? Do you know what the cost of living is? Click here to read the full blog post https://blog.laowaicareer.com/cost-of-living-in-china/

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Are you about the make
the jump to China? Good
decision. But do you
know how much the cost
of living is?

2. How much does it cost to live in China? Is China cheap
for both international students and foreigners? Well,
this article will reveal the cost of living in China. To
begin with, the expenses incurred while living in China
will depend on your geographical location and the
lifestyle you choose. For instance, the price can be
high in coastal regions such as Guangzhou, Shanghai,
and Shenzhen.

3. In China, money is issued in notes and coins. There
are notes for 1, 2 and 5 jiao and, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
and 100 yuan. Fen are issued as coins while yuan and
jiao coins have a value of 1. It’s important to keep in
mind that there are very strict foreign currency
exchange regulations in China.

4. Exchanging back Chinese currency back to foreign
currencies requires a copy of the original exchange
memo. Therefore, if you are working in China and
paid in yuan, it might be difficult to convert your
savings into another currency. Due to such
regulations, there is an active black market for
currency exchange.

5. The Cost of Living in China Explained
A few decades ago, China was considered a “bargain
country”. However, with the current world economy
and an increase in living standards, the cost of living
has increased. Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing are
among the most expensive cities to live in the world.

6. The rent is not the only thing to worry about.
Foreigners who live in the higher circles of the
Chinese society will have to pay Western prices at 4 or
5-star restaurants, top-level schools and other places.

7. On the brighter side, you can also live cheaply if you
stick to the living standards of the low and middle-
class population. For instance, living in old-fashioned
Chinese apartments with limited amenities, eating at
cheap noodle outlets and riding buses instead of taxis
will save you a lot of money.

8. Transport costs
While it’s hard for one to get around Western Cities,
such as New York, without owning a car, in China, you
don’t need a private car. China’s railway system is the
most advanced in the world. This makes it easier,
convenient and affordable to travel around.

9. Here’s a glimpse of transportation costs in Major
cities:
· Beijing – Subway (about 30 US cents), Bus (10-20 US
cents) and Taxi (30 US cents per kilometer).
· Guangzhou – Subway (40-120 US cents), Bus (20-40
US cents) and Taxi (40 US cents per kilometer).
· Shanghai – Subway (40-120 US cents), Bus (30 US
cents) and Taxi (about 40 cents per kilometer).

10. Food
The Chinese food available in your home country is
different from what you will find at local Chinese food
joints. This is because most recipes are tweaked to
suit local tastes.

11. Eating in China is very affordable. For instance, a meal
at small local restaurants can cost between 5 and
25RMB (US$1-4) while mid-range restaurants charge
between 25-45RMB (US$4-7). This included both
international and Chinese cuisine.

12. As far as housing is concerned, you have two options.
Expat accommodation or Chinese-style apartments.
Expat accommodations are not good for your wallet
as they are located in most expensive coastal cities.
However, they come with better amenities such as
gyms, swimming pools, playgrounds and more.

13. Chinese-style apartments are ideal for foreigners who
desire to save some money. A standard one-bedroom
accommodation in Beijing requires 5000-6000 CNY
per month while expat accommodations require at
least 22000 CNY per month.

14. Utility costs
In a typical expat home, the rent covers your monthly
utility bill. However, in Chinese-style apartments you
have to pay the utility bills separately. For instance,
the gas bill for a two-person household is about 50-
100 CNY per month. Water is more expensive while
electricity is the largest expense.

15. So, how much money do you need in China?
As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in China will
depend on your lifestyle and location. Here’s a rough
estimate of how much each living standard costs:

16. Minimum survival – About US$400 per month. This
is how much you need if you don’t have to pay the
rent. It allows you to live on rice and noodles, buy a
Western meal once in a while, pay for basic health
treatment and take a taxi when a need arises.

17. Average – Around US$1000. Here, you can rent a
basic apartment in major cities, pay health insurance,
travel around and enjoy a bit of Chinese culture.

18. Luxury – This is “the good life”. Here, you don’t limit
yourself. This lifestyle can cost you up to
US$1,000,000 per year in major cities

19. Conclusion
As a foreigner, the cost of living in China can be cheap
or expensive. Take part time jobs o boost your
income. Also, ensure that you learn a bit of Mandarin
as this will help you communicate well with the locals.
Know where to eat. If you are there with friends, take
an apartment together so that you can split utility
bills and monthly rent.

20. Bonus
Click on the link below to read the full blog post!
https://blog.laowaicareer.com/cost-of-living-in-china/

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