While the cost of living in Shanghai is relatively high, the city provides a wide range of options to accommodate the needs of individuals with varying financial capacities.

Here is a breakdown of living costs in Shanghai. 

 

 

Accommodation

According to Creprice, a website managed by the China Real Estate Association, the average monthly rent for a flat in Shanghai is 6,550 yuan (approximately $900). It's important to note that the cost of accommodation can vary based on factors such as location and size. 

For instance, in Huangpu district, the average price of a two-bedroom apartment is 9,800 yuan; in Jing'an district, it is 6,800 yuan; and in Minhang district, it is 5,000 yuan, according to housing information platform anjuke.com. 

In comparison, the average rent in London is about £2,500 ($3,100) and is about $4,300 in New York.

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Transportation 

Shanghai boasts a modern and efficient transport system that accommodates the needs of both expats and locals. The cost of transportation in Shanghai is reasonable, with various modes of transport available to suit different budgets and preferences. 

For expats looking to explore the city, Shanghai's extensive subway network is a popular and affordable option. Metro ticket fares start from 3 yuan (40 cents) for distances less than 6 kilometers, with an additional 1 yuan for each additional 10 kilometers. In comparison, a single-ride fare in New York is $2.9 and and in London, single tickets cost between £6.70 ($8.7) and £9.80. The city's regular buses charge 2 yuan for each ride. 

Taxis are also readily available and relatively inexpensive, with fares starting from 14 yuan ($2.2) and calculated at a rate of 2.7 yuan per additional kilometer. Additionally, for the environmentally conscious, bike-sharing services have become increasingly popular, usually costing 1.5 yuan for a ride of less than 15 minutes. 

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Food

Imported produce in foreign supermarkets tends to be more expensive, while purchasing groceries from local grocery stores is much cheaper. 

The following are the average prices of staple foods in Shanghai (prices published by the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission on July 9, 2024).

Eggs: 5.3 yuan/kg ($0.7/kg)

Flour: 3.5 yuan/kg ($0.5/kg)

Rice: 2.8 yuan/kg ($0.4/kg)

Pork: 20 yuan/kg ($2.8/kg)

Chicken: 14 yuan/kg ($1.9/kg)

Lettuce: 4 yuan/kg ($0.6/kg)

Tomatoes: 3.7 yuan/kg ($0.5/kg)

Potatoes: 2.5 yuan/kg ($0.3/kg)

Apples: 5.7 yuan/kg ($0.8/kg)

Watermelon: 2.2 yuan/kg ($0.3/kg)

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Utilities 

The utility costs in Shanghai are generally affordable. 

Water

The city adopts a tiered water pricing scheme. The starting price for household users is 4.05 yuan (55 cents) per cubic meter of water (for no more than 220 cubic meters a year), the second-tier price is 5.8 yuan per cubic meter (220-300 cubic meters), and the third tier is 8.79 yuan per cubic meter (more than 300 cubic meters).

Electricity

Shanghai's electricity prices are divided into three tiers. For the first tier (annual consumption no more than 3,120 kWh), the price is 0.617 yuan (90 cents), the second tier (3,120 kWh-4,800 kWh) is 0.677 yuan, and the third tier (more than 4,800 kWh) is 0.917 yuan per kWh. 

If you use electricity at off-peak times (10 pm-6 am), the price is half that of the peak times.

Gas

The city's gas prices are also divided into three tiers. The starting tier is 3 yuan (40 cents) per cubic meter of gas (for less than 310 cubic meters), the middle tier is 3.3 yuan per cubic meter (310-520 cubic meters), and the highest tier is 4.2 yuan per cubic meter (520 cubic meters and higher). 

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission