Cost of living in China compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 50% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 37元 (€4.88) | €19 | - 74% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 37元 (€4.95) | €10 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14元 (€1.84) | €5.55 | - 67% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (€1.92) | €1.28 | + 49% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15元 (€2.03) | €3.99 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (€1.40) | €2.84 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (€7) | €6 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (€2.10) | €2.59 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (€0.85) | €2.11 | - 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (€0.82) | €2.08 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 91元 (€12) | €8 | + 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (€1.21) | €3.05 | - 60% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (€1.65) | €2.22 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 18% | |||
| Housing in China is 18% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 15,575元 (€2,071) | €1,505 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,361元 (€979) | €1,249 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 505元 (€67) | €271 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,729元 (€895) | €873 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,858元 (€513) | €663 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (€39) | €154 | - 74% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 103元 (€14) | €50 | - 72% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (€194) | €302 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (€74) | €110 | - 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 44元 (€5.88) | €17 | - 66% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 59元 (€8) | €12 | - 34% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in China is 20% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (€56) | €88 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 296元 (€39) | €42 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 568元 (€76) | €101 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (€94) | €129 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in China is 37% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 149,987元 (€19,946) | €32,008 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (€1.09) | €1.68 | - 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 232元 (€31) | €52 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 28% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 28% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 51元 (€7) | €12 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84元 (€11) | €14 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 119元 (€16) | €32 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (€9) | €5.29 | + 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (€8) | €9 | - 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 29元 (€3.82) | €4.92 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 (€1.00) | €1.60 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (€1.95) | €4.00 | - 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 82元 (€11) | €27 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 31% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| China | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 215元 (€29) | €43 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 111元 (€15) | €26 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 341元 (€45) | €90 | - 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 282元 (€38) | €94 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (€11) | €12 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (€3.74) | €3.51 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17元 (€2.24) | €5.03 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,924元 (€522) | €561 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.39元 (€0.18) | €0.25 | - 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 428元 (€57) | €31 | + 84% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (€3.36) | €10 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.13299
EUR
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,154 prices entered by 169 different people.
Cost of living in China is 33% cheaper than in Belgium
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