Cost of living
The cost of living varies widely and depends on location (different cities or rural areas) and lifestyle. According to countryvv, dairy products and drinks are more expensive in China than in Germany. In medium-sized cities you can get a modern 4 room apartment for 100 euros a month, but you have to spend 2,500 euros for a similar apartment in central Shanghai. As long as you stick to the very good Chinese cuisine when you eat, you can eat very well when you visit a restaurant for 6 euros per person.
You need around € 2,868.43 in Beijing to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin at € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Beijing are 34.33% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices including rent in Beijing are 22.47% lower than in Berlin
- Rental prices in Beijing are 4.49% higher than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Beijing are 43.10% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Beijing are 20.46% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Beijing is 35.88% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Beijing (from 08/2019 – 07/2020)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 3.70 | 2.22 – 7.40 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 24.66 | 14.79-36.99 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 1.66 | 0.86-3.70 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 3.08 | 1.85-5.55 |
| cappuccino | 3.68 | 2.22-4.68 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 0.43 | 0.37-0.62 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 0.29 | 0.25-0.62 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.60 | 1.23-2.87 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.61 | 0.86 – 2.71 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.12 | 0.62-2.47 |
| Eggs (12) | 1.63 | 0.89-2.22 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 13.52 | 9.86-36.99 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 2.96 | 1.36-4.31 |
| Beef (1kg) | 7.92 | 4.08-11.10 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.72 | 1.23-2.45 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.16 | 0.74 – 1.97 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.55 | 0.74 – 2.72 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 1.00 | 0.37-2.17 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.73 | 0.37-0.99 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.66 | 0.37-0.99 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.67 | 0.37 – 1.23 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.59 | 0.27-0.99 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 12.33 | 5.55-14.79 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.78 | 0.37 – 1.23 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.89 | 1.23-2.47 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education Beijing (from 08/2019 – 07/2020)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.49 | 0.37-0.74 |
| Monthly pass | 24.66 | 14.79-43.11 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.60 | 1.60 – 1.73 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.28 | 0.25-0.37 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 53.77 | 30.27-98.63 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.02 | 0.01-0.02 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 12.84 | 8.63-18.49 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 58.19 | 24.66-98.63 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 31.28 | 12.33-49.31 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 70.99 | 48.31-98.63 |
| Leather business shoes | 89.69 | 36.99-184.93 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 41.06 | 24.66-61.64 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 18.45 | 8.62-24.66 |
| a movie ticket | 6.16 | 5.55-10.48 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 621.19 | 369.85 – 1,232.85 |
| International primary school per year and child | 19,561.18 | 12,328.49 – 30,821.22 |
The ritual shopping:
- First of all, the dealer charges completely excessive prices
- The experienced buyer names a much lower price (around 20-25% of the mentioned price)
- The dealer reacts in horror: “Bu xing!” (That doesn’t work!) And then lowers his price a little
- The customer increases his bid
- After a few repetitions, you finally come to an agreement
Important: The buyer should never show that he is happy about an item or that he desperately wants it. Rather, be disinterested or hesitant and let the dealer do the heavy lifting of forcing the item on you. However, bargaining is not common in department stores, groceries, or restaurants.
To rent
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Beijing (from 08/2019 – 07/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 911.90 | 641.08 – 1,479.42 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 522.90 | 369.85-739.71 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,921.27 | 1,232.85-2,712.27 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,216.56 | 986.28 – 1,849.27 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 12,895.09 | 10,416.71 – 16,027.04 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 6,100.14 | 4,931.40-8,629.94 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 1,142.57 | – |
Average rental prices (in euros) Shanghai (from 08/2019 – 07/2020)
1-room apartment in the city center: 957 €
1-room apartment outside the city center: 488 €
3-room apartment in the city center: 2,242 €
3- One bedroom apartment outside the city center: € 1,224
You can live much cheaper in the country and in small towns.
