Cost of Living in Taipei vs Shanghai

Cost of living in Taipei is 16% higher than in Shanghai (without rent).

Rent in Taipei is 11% cheaper than in Shanghai.

Cost of living including rent in Taipei is very similar to Shanghai.

Food in Taipei is 41% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Transport in Taipei is 8% cheaper than in Shanghai.

Taipei vs. Shanghai Comparision

Taipei Shanghai
Cost of Living, including rent
1,158 $
1,136 $
Without Rent
623 $
535 $
Rent & Utilities
535 $
602 $
Food
412 $
293 $
Transport
107 $
116 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,789 $
1,905 $
Quality of Life
86
79
Population
2.6M
24.9M

Compare other cities?

Taipei Shanghai

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
5.98 $ 3.99 $
Dinner, for 2 31.5 $ 42.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.15 $ 5.51 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.59 $ 1.43 $
Capuccino 3.31 $ 3.61 $
Coke, 330ml 0.99 $ 0.53 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.91 $ 2.41 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.89 $ 1.99 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.01 $ 1.41 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.77 $ 2.11 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 16.4 $ 15.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.54 $ 3.46 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 17.1 $ 11.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.52 $ 2.33 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.21 $ 1.64 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.83 $ 2.05 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.85 $ 0.98 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.42 $ 1.07 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.83 $ 0.37 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.8 $ 1.32 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.5 $ 11.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.63 $ 0.86 $
Cigarette pack 3.73 $ 3.51 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.78 $ 0.57 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 37.6 $ 36.1 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.98 $ 1.19 $
Taxi, 8 km 8.86 $ 6.13 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 34.3 $ 90.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.34 $ 6.62 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.97 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.58 $ 1.72 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.75 $ 2.03 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
54.8 $ 36.3 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
84 $ 56.1 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
24.9 $ 16.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 426 $ 461 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,031 $ 1,181 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 573 $ 897 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,581 $ 2,549 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 12,472 $ 16,156 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 6,228 $ 8,893 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,789 $ 1,905 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 1.93 % 4.28 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 39.4 $ 55 $
Cinema, 1 seat 10 $ 8.47 $
Haircut 16.8 $ 11.9 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 85.9 $ 78.6 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 57.1 $ 58.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 627 $ 1,263 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 18,424 $ 31,401 $