Cost of living in China compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 53% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 37元 (C$7) | C$25 | - 71% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 37元 (C$7) | C$15 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14元 (C$2.71) | C$11 | - 76% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (C$2.83) | C$3.02 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15元 (C$2.99) | C$5.63 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (C$2.07) | C$5.83 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (C$10) | C$14 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (C$3.10) | C$5.25 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (C$1.26) | C$3.94 | - 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (C$1.21) | C$4.05 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 91元 (C$18) | C$23 | - 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9元 (C$1.79) | C$3.34 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (C$2.43) | C$2.60 | - 6% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in China is 34% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 15,575元 (C$3,055) | C$2,815 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,361元 (C$1,444) | C$2,379 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 505元 (C$99) | C$261 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,729元 (C$1,320) | C$2,122 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,858元 (C$757) | C$1,660 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (C$58) | C$131 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 103元 (C$20) | C$70 | - 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (C$286) | C$415 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (C$108) | C$201 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 44元 (C$9) | C$18 | - 51% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 59元 (C$12) | C$31 | - 63% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in China is 11% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (C$82) | C$92 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 296元 (C$58) | C$64 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 568元 (C$111) | C$135 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (C$138) | C$162 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in China is 42% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 149,987元 (C$29,419) | C$34,739 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (C$1.60) | C$1.64 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 239元 (C$47) | C$107 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 37% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 51元 (C$10) | C$12 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84元 (C$16) | C$33 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 119元 (C$23) | C$160 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (C$13) | C$10 | + 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (C$11) | C$8 | + 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 29元 (C$5.64) | C$7 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8元 (C$1.48) | C$4.46 | - 67% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (C$2.87) | C$3.53 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 82元 (C$16) | C$34 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 41% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| China | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 215元 (C$42) | C$75 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 111元 (C$22) | C$35 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 341元 (C$67) | C$158 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 282元 (C$55) | C$137 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (C$16) | C$15 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (C$5.52) | C$5.68 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17元 (C$3.31) | C$8 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,924元 (C$770) | C$679 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.39元 (C$0.27) | C$0.60 | - 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 428元 (C$84) | C$56 | + 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (C$4.95) | C$19 | - 74% | |
| TOTAL | - 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.19615
CAD
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,639 prices entered by 682 different people.
Cost of living in China is 41% cheaper than in Canada
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 9% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Canada
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Canada
- Cost of living in Argentina is 25% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Angola is 49% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Armenia is 28% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 43% more expensive than in Canada
- Cost of living in Albania is 53% cheaper than in Canada