Cost of Living in Shanghai vs Dubai

Cost of living in Shanghai is 32% lower than in Dubai (without rent).

Rent in Shanghai is 60% cheaper than in Dubai.

Cost of living including rent in Shanghai is 51% lower than in Dubai.

Food in Shanghai is 36% cheaper than in Dubai.

Transport in Shanghai is 37% cheaper than in Dubai.

Shanghai vs. Dubai Comparision

Shanghai Dubai
Cost of Living, including rent
1,136 $
2,309 $
Without Rent
535 $
786 $
Rent & Utilities
602 $
1,523 $
Food
293 $
458 $
Transport
116 $
185 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,905 $
3,493 $
Quality of Life
79
86
Population
24.9M
3.3M

Compare other cities?

Shanghai Dubai

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
3.99 $ 10.5 $
Dinner, for 2 42.8 $ 70.2 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.51 $ 9.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.43 $ 12.1 $
Capuccino 3.61 $ 6.12 $
Coke, 330ml 0.53 $ 1.36 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.41 $ 1.77 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.99 $ 1.49 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.41 $ 2.15 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.11 $ 3.24 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.8 $ 11 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.46 $ 9.27 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.4 $ 10 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.33 $ 2.38 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.64 $ 1.87 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.05 $ 1.89 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.98 $ 1.26 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.07 $ 1.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.37 $ 0.41 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.32 $ 2.19 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.2 $ 15.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 0.86 $ 2.6 $
Cigarette pack 3.51 $ 5.98 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.57 $ 1.64 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 36.1 $ 84.2 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.19 $ 0.82 $
Taxi, 8 km 6.13 $ 11.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 90.7 $ 88.8 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.62 $ 8.18 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 5.49 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.72 $ 2.95 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.03 $ 3.85 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
36.3 $ 131 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
56.1 $ 202 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
16.9 $ 86 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 461 $ 1,170 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,181 $ 2,171 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 897 $ 1,850 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,549 $ 3,310 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 16,156 $ 6,006 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 8,893 $ 3,452 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,905 $ 3,493 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.28 % 4.64 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 55 $ 75.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.47 $ 13.4 $
Haircut 11.9 $ 9.53 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 78.6 $ 98.6 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 58.2 $ 56.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,263 $ 779 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 31,401 $ 12,682 $