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Beijing vs Chengdu cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇨🇳 Beijing
🇨🇳 ChengduChengdu is 30% cheaper than Beijing
Living on $3,066 a month in Beijing feels like about $1,909 in Chengdu — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$133 vs $103
Per month
$3,066 vs $1,909
Local meal
¥ 32 vs ¥ 25
$4.51 vs $3.52
Taxi 5 km
¥ 28 vs ¥ 25
$3.94 vs $3.52
At a glance
FoodChengdu 22% cheaper
Cafés & drinksChengdu 14% cheaper
TransportChengdu 15% cheaper
StayChengdu 35% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Chengdu is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (45%↓), Transit (33%↓), Bottled water (25%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Beijing | Chengdu | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ¥ 32$4.51 | ¥ 25$3.52 | Chengdu −22% |
| Street food1 item | ¥ 14$1.97 | ¥ 11$1.55 | Chengdu −21% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ¥ 130$18.3 | ¥ 99$13.9 | Chengdu −24% |
| Coffeeone cup | ¥ 28$3.94 | ¥ 25$3.52 | Chengdu −11% |
| Beerone bottle | ¥ 25$3.52 | ¥ 21$2.96 | Chengdu −16% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ¥ 65$9.15 | ¥ 55$7.75 | Chengdu −15% |
| Bottled water | ¥ 4$0.56 | ¥ 3$0.42 | Chengdu −25% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ¥ 10$1.41 | ¥ 7.5$1.06 | Chengdu −25% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ¥ 28$3.94 | ¥ 25$3.52 | Chengdu −11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ¥ 21$2.96 | ¥ 21$2.96 | similar |
| Transitone ride | ¥ 3$0.42 | ¥ 2$0.28 | Chengdu −33% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ¥ 85$12 | ¥ 85$12 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | ¥ 570$80.3 | ¥ 430$60.6 | Chengdu −25% |
| Studio rent (month) | ¥ 7,100$1,000 | ¥ 3,900$549 | Chengdu −45% |
| Laundry | ¥ 14$1.97 | ¥ 14$1.97 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | ¥ 71$10 | ¥ 71$10 | similar |
| Haircutcut | ¥ 88$12.4 | ¥ 88$12.4 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | ¥ 250$35.2 | ¥ 250$35.2 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | ¥ 280$39.4 | ¥ 280$39.4 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ¥ 85$12 | ¥ 85$12 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Beijing or Chengdu?
Chengdu is 30% cheaper than Beijing. Daily budget $133 vs $103; a month $3,066 vs $1,909.
How do monthly costs compare between Beijing and Chengdu?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Beijing is about $3,066 and Chengdu about $1,909 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.