Cost of living in Shanghai (China) is 51% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States)
How much money will you need in Shanghai?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,052 prices entered by 144 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shanghai (China) is 50% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 ($7) | $23 | - 71% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 41元 ($5.81) | $11 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17元 ($2.35) | $6 | - 62% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 20元 ($2.79) | $1.17 | + 137% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 23元 ($3.30) | $5.90 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 ($1.59) | $4.26 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 61元 ($9) | $7 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 17元 ($2.36) | $4.80 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 ($0.90) | $1.97 | - 54% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 ($0.90) | $5.26 | - 83% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 106元 ($15) | $19 | - 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 ($1.21) | $3.06 | - 60% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 18元 ($2.54) | $1.78 | + 43% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in Shanghai (China) is 48% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,427元 ($2,883) | $3,937 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,886元 ($1,537) | $2,890 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 478元 ($67) | $173 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,193元 ($1,156) | $2,492 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,417元 ($623) | $1,869 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 292元 ($41) | $122 | - 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 117元 ($17) | $60 | - 72% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,419元 ($200) | $284 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 629元 ($89) | $118 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 51元 ($7) | $13 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 52元 ($7) | $23 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Shanghai (China) is 12% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 534元 ($75) | $63 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 255元 ($36) | $46 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 619元 ($87) | $108 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 884元 ($125) | $138 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 62% | |||
| Transportation in Shanghai (China) is 62% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 164,024元 ($23,151) | $25,731 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9元 ($1.20) | $1.42 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 206元 ($29) | $118 | - 75% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 43元 ($6) | $16 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Shanghai (China) is 31% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 39元 ($5.44) | $9 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 33元 ($4.71) | $16 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 730元 ($103) | $132 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 62元 ($9) | $9 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 48元 ($7) | $6 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 41元 ($5.74) | $7 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 ($1.58) | $4.74 | - 67% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 ($1.83) | $2.13 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 113元 ($16) | $38 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 53% | |||
| Entertainment in Shanghai (China) is 53% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shanghai | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 326元 ($46) | $61 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 118元 ($17) | $33 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,445元 ($204) | $140 | + 45% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 333元 ($47) | $127 | - 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 86元 ($12) | $17 | - 30% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29元 ($4.10) | $5.64 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15元 ($2.11) | $8 | - 74% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,141元 ($443) | $527 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.20元 ($0.03) | $0.56 | - 95% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 448元 ($63) | $69 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 ($3.50) | $11 | - 69% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 51% | ||
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14115
USD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,052 prices entered by 144 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Hamburg is 21% more expensive than in Provo, Utah
- Cost of living in Melbourne is 42% more expensive than in Quebec City
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in New York City is 18% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Singapore is 64% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Medellín is 5% cheaper than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Singapore is 24% more expensive than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 39% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Minsk is 41% cheaper than in Limassol
- Cost of living in London is about the same as in Los Angeles, California
Compare other countries
Are you moving to Shanghai? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in Shanghai of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a Salary Calculation for Shanghai
Do you live in Los Angeles, California? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chicago, Illinois (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Taipei (Taiwan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Manila (Philippines)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Tokyo (Japan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Montreal (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Seoul (South Korea)
Prices recently added
- 1 kg of tomatoes in Karachi costs ₨200 (27 minutes ago)
- Furnished accommodation in normal area, weekly rent - 85m2 in Luton costs £5,590 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 kg of tomatoes in Halifax costs C$6.00 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Madrid costs €1.00 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Boston, Massachusetts costs $10 (about 3 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Coimbra costs €9 (about 4 hours ago)