Cost of Living & Quality of Life in China (2026)
What everyday life costs in China — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Eastern Asia.
- Quality of Life Index
- 110.9
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 75.1
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 68.1
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $553/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $2.81
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $1,058
- 2023
Quality of life trends in China
Typical living costs in China
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $553/mo | 2023 | -19.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $324/mo | 2023 | -19.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,314/mo | 2023 | -15.7% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $57.91/mo | 2023 | -5.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $12.55/mo | 2023 | -20.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $10.50/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $2.81 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $24.14 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.17 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $35.09 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.19 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $42.18/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $435/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $1,058 | 2023 | -13.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 110.9 | 2024 | +6.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 75.1 | 2024 | +1.9% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 68.1 | 2024 | +0.9% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 78.2 | 2024 | -1.4% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 79.7 | 2024 | +1.7% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 110.9 | 75.1 | 68.1 | 78.2 | 79.7 |
| 2023 | 104.1 | 73.7 | 67.5 | 79.3 | 78.4 |
| 2022 | 105.1 | 70.6 | 66.4 | 80.6 | 78.4 |
| 2021 | 103.1 | 69.8 | 66.4 | 81.5 | 80.2 |
| 2020 | 102.8 | 68.2 | 64.5 | 80.8 | 79.2 |
| 2019 | 97.9 | 54.5 | 64 | 81.9 | 78.9 |
| 2018 | 99.4 | 60.6 | 62.9 | 85.9 | 78.8 |
| 2017 | 91 | 66.1 | 62.2 | 89 | 38.7 |
China compared with Eastern Asia
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 110.9 | 75.1 | 68.1 | $2.81 | $553/mo |
| Hong Kong | 98.4 | 78.1 | 66.3 | $8.33 | $2,271/mo |
| Japan | 177.6 | 77.4 | 79.3 | $7.00 | $775/mo |
| Mongolia | — | — | — | $4.71 | $490/mo |
| South Korea | 142.3 | 75.1 | 82.7 | $6.70 | $634/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.