Cost of Living in Taipei vs Taichung

Cost of living in Taipei is 6% higher than in Taichung (without rent).

Rent in Taipei is 55% more expensive than in Taichung.

Cost of living including rent in Taipei is 24% higher than in Taichung.

Food in Taipei is 12% more expensive than in Taichung.

Transport in Taipei is 7% more expensive than in Taichung.

Taipei vs. Taichung Comparision

Taipei Taichung
Cost of Living, including rent
1,158 $
931 $
Without Rent
623 $
586 $
Rent & Utilities
535 $
346 $
Food
412 $
369 $
Transport
107 $
100 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,789 $
1,368 $
Quality of Life
86
80
Population
2.6M
3.0M

Compare other cities?

Taipei Taichung

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
5.98 $ 3.77 $
Dinner, for 2 31.5 $ 31.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.15 $ 5.03 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.59 $ 2.5 $
Capuccino 3.31 $ 2.85 $
Coke, 330ml 0.99 $ 0.94 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.91 $ 3.82 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.89 $ 1.95 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.01 $ 2.97 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.77 $ 3.34 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 16.4 $ 13.1 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.54 $ 5.74 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 17.1 $ 16.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.52 $ 4.09 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.21 $ 1.65 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.83 $ 2.28 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.85 $ 2.65 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.42 $ 1.99 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.83 $ 0.62 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.8 $ 1.71 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.5 $ 15.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.63 $ 1.57 $
Cigarette pack 3.73 $ 3.79 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.78 $ 0.75 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 37.6 $ 28.2 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.98 $ 0.96 $
Taxi, 8 km 8.86 $ 8.9 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 34.3 $ 42.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.34 $ 10.6 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.97 $ 6.85 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.58 $ 1.87 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.75 $ 2.52 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
54.8 $ 45.6 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
84 $ 70.2 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
24.9 $ 18.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 426 $ 265 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,031 $ 770 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 573 $ 346 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,581 $ 984 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 12,472 $ 6,258 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 6,228 $ 4,300 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,789 $ 1,368 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 1.93 % 1.97 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 39.4 $ 32.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 10 $ 10.1 $
Haircut 16.8 $ 13.8 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 85.9 $ 91.1 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 57.1 $ 93.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 627 $ 313 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 18,424 $ 13,638 $