Cost of living in Beijing (China) is 39% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 260 prices entered by 29 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | - 49% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Beijing (China) is 49% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 48元 ($7) | $18 | - 61% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 42元 ($6) | $10 | - 39% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 12元 ($1.82) | $5.41 | - 66% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 12元 ($1.78) | $0.91 | + 95% | |
12 eggs, large | 15元 ($2.22) | $2.99 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9元 ($1.28) | $5.16 | - 75% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 41元 ($6) | $7 | - 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 ($1.88) | $3.62 | - 48% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.66元 ($0.83) | $1.62 | - 49% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.93元 ($0.87) | $3.22 | - 73% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 99元 ($15) | $21 | - 29% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 ($1.21) | $2.18 | - 45% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 ($1.81) | $2.82 | - 36% | |
Housing | - 34% | |||
Housing in Beijing (China) is 34% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 15,453元 ($2,266) | $2,289 | - 1% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,774元 ($1,286) | $1,641 | - 22% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 308元 ($45) | $190 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,685元 ($1,273) | $1,568 | - 19% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,613元 ($676) | $1,004 | - 33% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 211元 ($31) | $260 | - 88% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 ($15) | $67 | - 78% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,348元 ($344) | $319 | + 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 531元 ($78) | $98 | - 21% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 35元 ($5.18) | $15 | - 66% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 53元 ($8) | $22 | - 64% | |
Clothes | + 13% | |||
Clothes in Beijing (China) is 13% more expensive than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 514元 ($75) | $53 | + 42% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 250元 ($37) | $34 | + 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 621元 ($91) | $91 | + 0% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 878元 ($129) | $118 | + 9% | |
Transportation | - 48% | |||
Transportation in Beijing (China) is 48% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 160,000元 ($23,458) | $23,868 | - 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 ($1.14) | $1.08 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 194元 ($28) | $76 | - 62% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 38元 ($5.61) | $30 | - 82% | |
Personal Care | - 54% | |||
Personal Care in Beijing (China) is 54% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 32元 ($4.72) | $10 | - 55% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50元 ($7) | $26 | - 72% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 276元 ($41) | $193 | - 79% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 37元 ($5.49) | $7 | - 24% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 35元 ($5.14) | $4.29 | + 20% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 31元 ($4.60) | $4.29 | + 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 ($1.65) | $4.36 | - 62% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 15元 ($2.13) | $2.65 | - 19% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 93元 ($14) | $25 | - 45% | |
Entertainment | - 22% | |||
Entertainment in Beijing (China) is 22% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beijing | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 248元 ($36) | $56 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 148元 ($22) | $26 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,153元 ($169) | $269 | - 37% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 383元 ($56) | $92 | - 39% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 75元 ($11) | $13 | - 13% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35元 ($5.11) | $6 | - 20% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25元 ($3.59) | $8 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,483元 ($511) | $565 | - 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.21元 ($0.03) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 464元 ($68) | $39 | + 73% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 19元 ($2.78) | $11 | - 74% | |
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TOTAL | - 39% |

These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14661
USD
/
CNY
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $6,800 in Tacoma, Washington you would need to make just about $4,168 (28,431元) in Beijing.
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