Popular cities
Beijing vs Lijiang cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐จ๐ณ Beijing
๐จ๐ณ Lijiang
At a glance
- Where Lijiang is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (73%โ), Transit (50%โ), Haircut (50%โ)
- Where Beijing is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (81%โ), Entry ticket (40%โ), Laundry (30%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Beijing is easier to travel (2.6 vs 3.0). Biggest gap: getting around โ Beijing 1 vs Lijiang 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Beijing | Lijiang | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ยฅ 30$4.23 | ยฅ 35$4.93 | Beijing โ14% |
| Street food1 item | ยฅ 12$1.69 | ยฅ 12$1.69 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ยฅ 100$14.1 | ยฅ 80$11.3 | Lijiang โ20% |
| Coffeeone cup | ยฅ 25$3.52 | ยฅ 25$3.52 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | ยฅ 20$2.82 | ยฅ 15$2.11 | Lijiang โ25% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ยฅ 70$9.86 | ยฅ 50$7.04 | Lijiang โ29% |
| Bottled water | ยฅ 2.5$0.35 | ยฅ 3$0.42 | Beijing โ17% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ยฅ 5$0.7 | ยฅ 4$0.56 | Lijiang โ20% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ยฅ 18$2.54 | ยฅ 15$2.11 | Lijiang โ17% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ยฅ 14$1.97 | ยฅ 10$1.41 | Lijiang โ29% |
| Transitone ride | ยฅ 4$0.56 | ยฅ 2$0.28 | Lijiang โ50% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ยฅ 15$2.11 | ยฅ 80$11.3 | Beijing โ81% |
| Hotel night3-star | ยฅ 400$56.3 | ยฅ 250$35.2 | Lijiang โ38% |
| Studio rent (month) | ยฅ 5,500$775 | ยฅ 1,500$211 | Lijiang โ73% |
| Laundry | ยฅ 14$1.97 | ยฅ 20$2.82 | Beijing โ30% |
| SIM card1 week data | ยฅ 100$14.1 | ยฅ 100$14.1 | similar |
| Haircutcut | ยฅ 50$7.04 | ยฅ 25$3.52 | Lijiang โ50% |
| Massage1 hour | ยฅ 200$28.2 | ยฅ 120$16.9 | Lijiang โ40% |
| Half-day tourper person | ยฅ 250$35.2 | ยฅ 350$49.3 | Beijing โ29% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ยฅ 60$8.45 | ยฅ 100$14.1 | Beijing โ40% |
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 Lijiang?
Lijiang is 37% cheaper than Beijing. Daily budget $98.1 vs $73.4; a month $2,455 vs $1,258.
Which is easier to travel, Beijing or Lijiang?
Beijing is easier: Beijing 2.6/5 vs Lijiang 3.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Beijing and Lijiang?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Beijing is about $2,455 and Lijiang about $1,258 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.