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Beijing vs Shanghai cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇨🇳 Beijing
🇨🇳 ShanghaiBeijing is 13% cheaper than Shanghai
Living on $3,066 a month in Beijing feels like about $3,566 in Shanghai — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$133 vs $147
Per month
$3,066 vs $3,566
Local meal
¥ 32 vs ¥ 36
$4.51 vs $5.07
Taxi 5 km
¥ 28 vs ¥ 28
$3.94 vs $3.94
At a glance
FoodBeijing 10% cheaper
Cafés & drinksBeijing 7% cheaper
TransportBeijing 5% cheaper
StayBeijing 14% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Beijing is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (16%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Beijing | Shanghai | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ¥ 32$4.51 | ¥ 36$5.07 | Beijing −11% |
| Street food1 item | ¥ 14$1.97 | ¥ 16$2.25 | Beijing −12% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ¥ 130$18.3 | ¥ 140$19.7 | Beijing −7% |
| Coffeeone cup | ¥ 28$3.94 | ¥ 28$3.94 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | ¥ 25$3.52 | ¥ 28$3.94 | Beijing −11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ¥ 65$9.15 | ¥ 73$10.3 | Beijing −11% |
| Bottled water | ¥ 4$0.56 | ¥ 4.5$0.63 | Beijing −11% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ¥ 10$1.41 | ¥ 11$1.55 | Beijing −9% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ¥ 28$3.94 | ¥ 28$3.94 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ¥ 21$2.96 | ¥ 21$2.96 | similar |
| Transitone ride | ¥ 3$0.42 | ¥ 3.5$0.49 | Beijing −14% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ¥ 85$12 | ¥ 85$12 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | ¥ 570$80.3 | ¥ 640$90.1 | Beijing −11% |
| Studio rent (month) | ¥ 7,100$1,000 | ¥ 8,500$1,197 | Beijing −16% |
| 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 Shanghai?
Beijing is 13% cheaper than Shanghai. Daily budget $133 vs $147; a month $3,066 vs $3,566.
How do monthly costs compare between Beijing and Shanghai?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Beijing is about $3,066 and Shanghai about $3,566 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.