Cost of living in United States compared to Taiwan
Currency:
Food | + 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in United States is 32% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (419 NT$) | 142 NT$ | + 195% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (229 NT$) | 131 NT$ | + 74% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.25 (118 NT$) | 81 NT$ | + 46% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (25 NT$) | 96 NT$ | - 74% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.94 (82 NT$) | 73 NT$ | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.12 (115 NT$) | 106 NT$ | + 8% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (178 NT$) | 293 NT$ | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.29 (92 NT$) | 128 NT$ | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.68 (47 NT$) | 87 NT$ | - 46% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (92 NT$) | 47 NT$ | + 95% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (394 NT$) | 543 NT$ | - 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.99 (55 NT$) | 41 NT$ | + 36% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.06 (57 NT$) | 40 NT$ | + 45% | |
Housing | + 97% | |||
Housing in United States is 97% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,211 (61,670 NT$) | 25,910 NT$ | + 138% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,554 (43,340 NT$) | 20,351 NT$ | + 113% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (4,954 NT$) | 2,985 NT$ | + 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,536 (42,845 NT$) | 25,106 NT$ | + 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,119 (31,224 NT$) | 17,842 NT$ | + 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 (3,142 NT$) | 2,013 NT$ | + 56% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 (1,391 NT$) | 603 NT$ | + 131% | |
40” flat screen tv | $271 (7,562 NT$) | 10,779 NT$ | - 30% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $128 (3,581 NT$) | 3,604 NT$ | - 1% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (294 NT$) | 129 NT$ | + 128% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (604 NT$) | 293 NT$ | + 106% | |
Clothes | + 12% | |||
Clothes in United States is 12% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (1,303 NT$) | 1,747 NT$ | - 25% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (1,209 NT$) | 884 NT$ | + 37% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (2,437 NT$) | 2,563 NT$ | - 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $109 (3,032 NT$) | 2,654 NT$ | + 14% | |
Transportation | + 21% | |||
Transportation in United States is 21% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,595 (658,106 NT$) | 898,408 NT$ | - 27% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (18 NT$) | 32 NT$ | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $74 (2,071 NT$) | 1,092 NT$ | + 90% | |
Personal Care | + 32% | |||
Personal Care in United States is 32% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (199 NT$) | 196 NT$ | + 1% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (460 NT$) | 158 NT$ | + 190% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (3,125 NT$) | 700 NT$ | + 346% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (183 NT$) | 279 NT$ | - 34% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.47 (97 NT$) | 190 NT$ | - 49% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.98 (139 NT$) | 213 NT$ | - 35% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.66 (102 NT$) | 60 NT$ | + 69% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.80 (50 NT$) | 84 NT$ | - 40% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (604 NT$) | 287 NT$ | + 111% | |
Entertainment | + 39% | |||
Entertainment in United States is 39% more expensive than in Taiwan | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 (1,283 NT$) | 984 NT$ | + 30% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $25 (706 NT$) | 582 NT$ | + 21% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $206 (5,744 NT$) | 11,330 NT$ | - 49% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $80 (2,230 NT$) | 1,026 NT$ | + 117% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (343 NT$) | 292 NT$ | + 18% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.05 (141 NT$) | 106 NT$ | + 33% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.85 (163 NT$) | 83 NT$ | + 96% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $421 (11,731 NT$) | 12,041 NT$ | - 3% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.51 (14 NT$) | 5.56 NT$ | + 156% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (1,365 NT$) | 1,106 NT$ | + 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (230 NT$) | 101 NT$ | + 128% | |
TOTAL | + 47% |

These prices were last updated on March 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
27.892
TWD
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 47% more expensive than in Taiwan
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