Cost of Living in Shanghai vs Abu Dhabi

Cost of living in Shanghai is 19% lower than in Abu Dhabi (without rent).

Rent in Shanghai is 47% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi.

Cost of living including rent in Shanghai is 37% lower than in Abu Dhabi.

Food in Shanghai is 34% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi.

Transport in Shanghai is 67% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi.

Shanghai vs. Abu Dhabi Comparision

Shanghai Abu Dhabi
Cost of Living, including rent
1,136 $
1,802 $
Without Rent
535 $
662 $
Rent & Utilities
602 $
1,140 $
Food
293 $
442 $
Transport
116 $
69 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,905 $
3,906 $
Quality of Life
79
83
Population
24.9M
1.5M

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Shanghai Abu Dhabi

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
3.99 $ 10.9 $
Dinner, for 2 42.8 $ 76.3 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.51 $ 9.62 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.43 $ 10.9 $
Capuccino 3.61 $ 5.81 $
Coke, 330ml 0.53 $ 1.09 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.41 $ 1.79 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.99 $ 1.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.41 $ 2.04 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.11 $ 3.07 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.8 $ 9.41 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.46 $ 7.83 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.4 $ 11.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.33 $ 2.12 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.64 $ 1.8 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.05 $ 1.75 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.98 $ 1.06 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.07 $ 1.24 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.37 $ 0.38 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.32 $ 2.66 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.2 $ 13.6 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 0.86 $ 2.21 $
Cigarette pack 3.51 $ 6.21 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.57 $ 0.67 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 36.1 $ 24.7 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.19 $ 0.8 $
Taxi, 8 km 6.13 $ 7.28 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 90.7 $ 90.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.62 $ 5.61 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 5.03 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.72 $ 4.83 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.03 $ 4.95 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
36.3 $ 95.9 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
56.1 $ 147 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
16.9 $ 104 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 461 $ 880 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,181 $ 2,207 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 897 $ 1,179 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,549 $ 2,759 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 16,156 $ 4,957 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 8,893 $ 4,315 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,905 $ 3,906 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.28 % 5.18 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 55 $ 66.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.47 $ 13.7 $
Haircut 11.9 $ 13.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 78.6 $ 105 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 58.2 $ 67.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,263 $ 667 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 31,401 $ 12,787 $