Cost of Living in Shanghai vs Seoul

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

Rent in Shanghai is 11% cheaper than in Seoul.

Cost of living including rent in Shanghai is 22% lower than in Seoul.

Food in Shanghai is 44% cheaper than in Seoul.

Transport in Shanghai is 25% cheaper than in Seoul.

Shanghai vs. Seoul Comparision

Shanghai Seoul
Cost of Living, including rent
1,136 $
1,461 $
Without Rent
535 $
785 $
Rent & Utilities
602 $
677 $
Food
293 $
526 $
Transport
116 $
155 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,905 $
2,981 $
Quality of Life
79
94
Population
24.9M
9.7M

Compare other cities?

Shanghai Seoul

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
3.99 $ 7.68 $
Dinner, for 2 42.8 $ 40.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.51 $ 5.99 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.43 $ 3.79 $
Capuccino 3.61 $ 3.91 $
Coke, 330ml 0.53 $ 1.63 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.41 $ 2.29 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.99 $ 3.23 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.41 $ 3.3 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.11 $ 3.68 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.8 $ 13.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.46 $ 9.23 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.4 $ 38.3 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.33 $ 7.91 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.64 $ 3.75 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.05 $ 5.86 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.98 $ 4.03 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.07 $ 3.25 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.37 $ 0.9 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.32 $ 2.43 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.2 $ 22.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 0.86 $ 2.76 $
Cigarette pack 3.51 $ 3.42 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.57 $ 1.14 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 36.1 $ 47.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.19 $ 1.27 $
Taxi, 8 km 6.13 $ 9.05 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 90.7 $ 25.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.62 $ 5.05 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 5.98 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.72 $ 2.35 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.03 $ 3.13 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
36.3 $ 120 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
56.1 $ 184 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
16.9 $ 23.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 461 $ 460 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,181 $ 1,348 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 897 $ 827 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,549 $ 2,513 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 16,156 $ 21,201 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 8,893 $ 11,781 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,905 $ 2,981 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.28 % 5.14 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 55 $ 54.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.47 $ 11.5 $
Haircut 11.9 $ 10.4 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 78.6 $ 91 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 58.2 $ 62.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,263 $ 410 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 31,401 $ 21,834 $