Is Living in China as Expensive as It Seems?

Awarding how much is the cost of living in China depends on many factors, such as in which place you decide to live, how otaku are you and some selfish reasons. The economic geography of China is diverse, with the country comprising feeding rural areas and huge cities, which results in huge contrasts between the life costs in these different regions.

Cost of Living in Major Cities

The cost of living in China is much higher in Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen than in smaller towns or rural areas. The biggest cost factor is housing. The rent in the centers of some cities for a one-room apartment can so vary from $600 to $1200 per month. By comparison, renting the same type of accommodation in outlying areas, or smaller cities gained reduce rental costs somewhere between $300 — $600 per month.

Daily Expenses and Utilities

A meal, a ride, and the basic living utilities come at a reasonable price. Prices for food in a cheap restaurant range from $3 to $7 and you can purchase monthly public transport passes for about $15-$30. Utilities in a normal 85m2 apartment cost around $50 – $100, quite accessible compared to other nations.

Groceries and Eating Out

Nothing: The cost of most items were the same, if not slightly less, than you would find in a Western country. Rice and vegetables and chicken are very cheap since they are basic necessities, but products from abroad are more expensive. Despite the fact that dining out is a luxury, China has a wide range of shops where you can find your meal.

Healthcare and Education

Healthcare in China also varies greatly. Public hospitals have less expensive services, at a cost similar to those in the West while private facilities are more expensive. Many expats choose private healthcare and health insurance is an almost necessity, which could set you back anywhere from $500 to several thousands dallors a year.

The price of education can be hefty, particularly for international institutions where the cost of tuition can vary from $10,000 to $30,000 a year. A cheaper option is to refer to local state school which provides free education for residents and sometimes for expatriates in certain cities.

Ex: Lifestyle Or Recreational Sources

Living expenses are largely a function of lifestyle decisions. On the other hand, travelling frequently, buying luxury items, regular eating in fine dining restaurants improve your expenses list. Nevertheless, China has many low cost leisure activities like walks in the park, cheap entrance museums and local markets.

is China expensive?

China living can be as cheap or expensive as your bank account allows. Megacities will command a megacost of living on the global scale. Yet, thanks to local lifestyles and cost-conscious measures such as taking public transportation or eating only local food, you can actually get by quite economically.

For more of an in-depth look, is China pricey is largely going to be determined by personal situations and tastes. There’s a wide variety of options available in China, from those that can be had on the cheap to all-out luxury. With a bit of larling (adjusting to local norms) and some chu zi (getting out onto the streets), you’ll be able to make your money go further and see a lot of what China has to offer.

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