Cost of living in Qingdao (China) is 59% 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 87 prices entered by 10 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | - 52% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Qingdao (China) is 52% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 49元 ($7) | $16 | - 57% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 33元 ($4.60) | $10 | - 53% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 ($2.07) | $5.68 | - 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 13元 ($1.82) | $0.93 | + 97% | |
12 eggs, large | 11元 ($1.54) | $3.17 | - 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 ($1.40) | $5.20 | - 73% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 57元 ($8) | $7 | + 20% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13元 ($1.84) | $3.70 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 ($0.99) | $1.62 | - 39% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.41元 ($0.77) | $3.22 | - 76% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 96元 ($14) | $17 | - 23% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 ($1.06) | $2.18 | - 51% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10元 ($1.43) | $2.82 | - 49% | |
Housing | - 71% | |||
Housing in Qingdao (China) is 71% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,701元 ($806) | $2,558 | - 68% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,262元 ($320) | $1,617 | - 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 357元 ($50) | $176 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,706元 ($383) | $1,606 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 2,444元 ($346) | $969 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 264元 ($37) | $260 | - 86% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 120元 ($17) | $57 | - 70% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,957元 ($418) | $319 | + 31% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 525元 ($74) | $98 | - 24% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 54元 ($8) | $15 | - 50% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 41元 ($5.84) | $21 | - 72% | |
Clothes | - 11% | |||
Clothes in Qingdao (China) is 11% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 419元 ($59) | $52 | + 14% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 251元 ($35) | $36 | - 2% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 475元 ($67) | $106 | - 37% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 464元 ($66) | $121 | - 46% | |
Transportation | - 66% | |||
Transportation in Qingdao (China) is 66% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 168,800元 ($23,864) | $23,005 | + 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 ($0.97) | $1.17 | - 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 64元 ($9) | $70 | - 87% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 24元 ($3.42) | $30 | - 89% | |
Personal Care | - 63% | |||
Personal Care in Qingdao (China) is 63% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 27元 ($3.82) | $10 | - 63% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 31元 ($4.33) | $26 | - 83% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 88元 ($12) | $154 | - 92% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 31元 ($4.45) | $8 | - 44% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39元 ($5.53) | $5.01 | + 10% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 37元 ($5.25) | $4.29 | + 22% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 ($1.16) | $4.47 | - 74% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 11元 ($1.56) | $2.65 | - 41% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 34元 ($4.83) | $22 | - 78% | |
Entertainment | - 43% | |||
Entertainment in Qingdao (China) is 43% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Qingdao | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 109元 ($15) | $59 | - 74% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 93元 ($13) | $27 | - 51% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 562元 ($79) | $269 | - 71% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 420元 ($59) | $103 | - 42% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 46元 ($6) | $12 | - 46% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30元 ($4.29) | $6 | - 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17元 ($2.34) | $8 | - 69% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,195元 ($452) | $565 | - 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.93元 ($0.13) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 352元 ($50) | $48 | + 5% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20元 ($2.78) | $11 | - 74% | |
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TOTAL | - 59% |

These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14138
USD
/
CNY
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $8,000 in Tacoma, Washington you would need to make just about $3,258 (23,041元) in Qingdao.
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