Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 44% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 (C$9) | C$23 | - 62% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 40元 (C$8) | C$13 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (C$2.76) | C$9 | - 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (C$3.09) | C$3.10 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 18元 (C$3.34) | C$5.67 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (C$1.98) | C$5.37 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 61元 (C$12) | C$10 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (C$2.90) | C$4.96 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7元 (C$1.26) | C$3.10 | - 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (C$1.19) | C$3.68 | - 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 119元 (C$23) | C$18 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (C$1.71) | C$3.09 | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15元 (C$2.78) | C$2.84 | - 2% | |
| Housing | - 37% | |||
| Housing in China is 37% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,988元 (C$2,272) | C$2,626 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,948元 (C$1,317) | C$2,094 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 489元 (C$93) | C$208 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,875元 (C$1,303) | C$1,827 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,568元 (C$866) | C$1,418 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 358元 (C$68) | C$129 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 107元 (C$20) | C$71 | - 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,370元 (C$260) | C$417 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 717元 (C$136) | C$214 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 35元 (C$7) | C$15 | - 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 46元 (C$9) | C$29 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in China is 7% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 489元 (C$93) | C$79 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 245元 (C$46) | C$58 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 604元 (C$114) | C$124 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 781元 (C$148) | C$148 | + 0% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in China is 43% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 156,400元 (C$29,638) | C$31,405 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (C$1.60) | C$1.64 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 218元 (C$41) | C$104 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 31% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37元 (C$7) | C$13 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 25元 (C$4.81) | C$25 | - 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 407元 (C$77) | C$119 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 46元 (C$9) | C$9 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 44元 (C$8) | C$7 | + 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 38元 (C$7) | C$6 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 11元 (C$1.99) | C$4.48 | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (C$2.94) | C$3.56 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 77元 (C$15) | C$30 | - 50% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 42% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 214元 (C$41) | C$66 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 105元 (C$20) | C$31 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,346元 (C$255) | C$165 | + 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 410元 (C$78) | C$115 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 70元 (C$13) | C$15 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 31元 (C$5.80) | C$5.45 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17元 (C$3.17) | C$8 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,025元 (C$573) | C$736 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.27元 (C$0.05) | C$0.44 | - 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 373元 (C$71) | C$64 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 23元 (C$4.39) | C$17 | - 74% | |
| TOTAL | - 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.18950
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,609 prices entered by 905 different people.
Cost of living in China is 39% cheaper than in Canada
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