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Photo by Ferdinand-Feng

Most Expensive Cities in China

The cost of living in China depends on the city in which you live and your lifestyle. The cost of living is higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

Before coming to China, break down the living cost so you can prepare financially. Consider factors like house prices, food, transport, education cost, utilities and many more.

Learn more about the most expensive cities in this article.

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong. Photo sourced from

Hong Kong is a city in the special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta in South China. It has a population of 7.5 million in a 1,114 square kilometer territory and is the most densely populated place in the world.

The city is a key global financial center and one of the most developed cities in the world. Hong Kong maintains a separate governing and economic system from mainland China under the principle “One country, two systems.

Hong Kong is known for attracting some of the world’s most successful and wealthy business people, with thousands of expats drawn to the city.

According to the ECA index, the city has claimed the honor of being the world’s priciest city three times in a row. It has the largest number of skyscrapers of any city in the world, with residents with the highest life expectations.

2. Shanghai, China 

Shanghai is one of the four direct admitted municipalities with a population of 26.32 million (2019), covering an area of 6,340 square kilometers.

Shanghai is a global center for finance and innovation, a national center for trade, commerce and transportation with the world’s busiest container port, Shanghai.

Shanghai is expensive because of the high prices of products, higher inflation rates and continued strength of the Chinese Yuan against other major currencies.

3. Guangzhou

Guangzhou city. Photo by longtengyidu-

Guangzhou is the main manufacturing hub of the Pearl River Delta, one of mainland China’s leading commercial and manufacturing. It has a population of 15.31 million (2019) and covers 7,434 square kilometers.

The city is similar to that of shanghai hence making it expensive. At the same time, the city is lesser known from an expat perspective, the strength of the currency and inflation along high cost that comes with living in a high-population nation.

4. Beijing 

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the world’s populous nation capital city, with over 21 million residents in an area of 16,410.5 square kilometers.

Beijing is China’s cultural and educational center. It has modern architecture giving it an electric vibe and multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Summer Palace.

The city has excellent transportation links, which consist of multiple metro lines, and bike routes. All these contribute to the city being expensive.

Beijing has excellent healthcare with various international hospitals to choose services from. Therefore, you will have to spend a lot of money to get the best services.

House pricing in Beijing is high, and contributing to the city is expensive. The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment cost around $1,175.

5. Shenzhen

Shenzhen city. Photo by ken19991210-

Shenzhen is a major sub-provincial city and one of China’s special economic zones, with a population of 17.56 million as of 2020.

The city is a global center in technology, finance, tourism, and economy and the port of Shenzhen is the world’s fourth busiest container port.

The thing that contributes to it being expensive because of its most competitive and largest financial center in the world. It has the highest number of billionaires, a large scientific research output, and a great educational institution.

Shenzhen is expensive in terms of rent and food prices, which is why these are the greatest monthly expenses.

6. Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People’s Republic of China, the second largest city in East China. It had a population of 9,314,685 as of 2020, with an admirative area of 6,600 square kilometers.

A city is a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China for several periods and recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.

The housing price in Nanjing has grown by at least 20% in the past few years. The city has a lively nightlife and great destinations for a tourist like a purple mountain and Confucius Temple, which makes the city expensive for even a quick little vacation.

7. Chengdu

Chengdu. Photo by lxclb-

Chengdu is a sub-provincial city that serves as the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. The city is one of China’s most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation and communication.

If you want to live in Chengdu, you must be able to keep up with the trends. Chengdu places high importance on luxury items and even has the only high-end mall in western China.

The average house price of one bedroom in the city center is $384.6, one-bedroom outside of the center is $257.4 and 3 bedrooms in the city center are $714.3.

8. Qingdao 

Qingdao is a major city in Eastern Shandong province and has the highest GDP of any city. The city had a population of 7,172,451 million.

The city has 177 ports which contribute to the growth of its economic success. It also has gorgeous beaches and skyscrapers parks and draws in tourists from around the world for the annual Qingdao International Beer Festival.

The city’s cost of living is much lower than major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. A fully furnished one0bedroom has a monthly rent rate is $300-$700.

9. Shenyang

Shenyang is a major Chinese sub-provincial city and the provincial city of Liaoning province. It has a population of 9,070,093 as of the 2020 census.

The city is a leading industrial commerce and trade city and those living in Shenyang can expect a rise in the price of rent, food and utilities and more.

10. Tianjin

Tianjin is a municipality and a coastal metropolis in Northern China on the shore of the Bohai sea. It is in mainland China with a population of 13,866,009.

The city offers rich cultural experience and history, famously known for its grand architectural and scenic landscape.

The city is expensive in terms of house prices, food, education, utilities and many more others.