Cost of living in China compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 46% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 40元 (AU$9) | AU$24 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (AU$8) | AU$16 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (AU$3.19) | AU$7 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (AU$3.16) | AU$1.98 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17元 (AU$3.65) | AU$7 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (AU$2.35) | AU$6 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (AU$11) | AU$9 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (AU$3.45) | AU$4.97 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (AU$1.40) | AU$3.82 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (AU$1.40) | AU$7 | - 80% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 94元 (AU$20) | AU$22 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (AU$1.97) | AU$3.85 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (AU$2.74) | AU$2.18 | + 26% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in China is 45% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 14,276元 (AU$3,116) | AU$3,978 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,833元 (AU$1,491) | AU$2,789 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 449元 (AU$98) | AU$243 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,729元 (AU$1,469) | AU$2,790 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,858元 (AU$842) | AU$2,052 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (AU$65) | AU$195 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (AU$22) | AU$65 | - 66% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (AU$319) | AU$640 | - 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (AU$121) | AU$260 | - 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 (AU$9) | AU$15 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 57元 (AU$12) | AU$40 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 26% | |||
| Clothes in China is 26% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (AU$91) | AU$122 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 296元 (AU$65) | AU$91 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 570元 (AU$124) | AU$165 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (AU$154) | AU$176 | - 13% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in China is 51% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 148,726元 (AU$32,462) | AU$40,501 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (AU$1.77) | AU$1.96 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 233元 (AU$51) | AU$147 | - 65% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 7% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 51元 (AU$11) | AU$8 | + 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84元 (AU$18) | AU$23 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (AU$25) | AU$85 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (AU$15) | AU$6 | + 126% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (AU$12) | AU$4.98 | + 149% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (AU$5.45) | AU$9 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 7元 (AU$1.52) | AU$4.47 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13元 (AU$2.73) | AU$4.31 | - 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 85元 (AU$18) | AU$39 | - 53% | |
| Entertainment | - 56% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 56% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| China | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 203元 (AU$44) | AU$74 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 109元 (AU$24) | AU$46 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 703元 (AU$153) | AU$257 | - 40% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (AU$70) | AU$133 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (AU$18) | AU$22 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (AU$6) | AU$5.35 | + 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15元 (AU$3.31) | AU$13 | - 74% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,924元 (AU$856) | AU$909 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (AU$0.07) | AU$0.76 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 414元 (AU$90) | AU$87 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 26元 (AU$5.78) | AU$46 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 46% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21827
AUD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,172 prices entered by 374 different people.
Cost of living in China is 46% cheaper than in Australia
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