Cost of Living in Shenzhen, China

Are you considering a move to Shenzhen, China, and wondering about the cost of living? Shenzhen is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Shenzhen and help you understand whether $1746 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $1597.24.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Shenzhen, China
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

4.23 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

28.23 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

5.65 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.27 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.95 $

Cappuccino (regular)

3.82 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.51 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.35 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

2.22 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.17 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.17 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.07 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

13.37 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

4.52 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

14.25 $

Apples (1 lb)

1.96 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.41 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.69 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.53 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.06 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.19 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.87 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.57 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

14.11 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

0.89 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.6 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

3.53 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.56 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

28.23 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.69 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.37 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

6.77 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.21 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

21169.7 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

19581.97 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

64.02 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

16.01 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

47.48 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

15.49 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

8.47 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

567.14 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

23939.72 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

66.78 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

32.68 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

81.11 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

108.05 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

734.75 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

409.92 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1635.84 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

869.88 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

16180.23 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

7784.58 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

1597.24 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

4.57 %

Cost of Living in Shenzhen, China

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Shenzhen?

The monthly expenses for living in Shenzhen come to a total of approximately $1746. This includes an average monthly rent of around $734 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $72 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $536 per month.

How affordable is living in Shenzhen?

Living in Shenzhen appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $1597.24. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Shenzhen, you would likely need an income exceeding $1597.24.

What is the average salary in Shenzhen?

In Shenzhen, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $1597.24, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Shenzhen?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Shenzhen is approximately $734. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $409.92 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Shenzhen?

The expense for groceries in Shenzhen can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $443 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in China?

The cost of living in China can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout China.

Shenzhen, China

How Safe Is Shenzhen, China for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Shenzhen, China

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Shenzhen is the place that is quite safe according to Western standards, in comparison to other cities around the world with approximately the same number of tourists. Violent crime is rare, prostitution is common and pickpocket gangs are in action at the crowded areas, where foreigners are often victims. However, if they remain vigilant, they will not become easy prey.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

The Shenzhen Metro is the most appropriate and safe means of transport around the Shenzhen city area because a driver would not give you problems by taking you far away from your destination, unlike the cab drivers. When choosing the taxi, look for the plastic stand on the right-hand dashboard which represents the license. Driving in Shenzhen is chaotic, so tourists need to be extremely careful when crossing the street and always use over or underpasses.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Busy and crowded areas are the main hubs of pickpocketing and purse snatching. Tourists should be careful and keep their valuables close to them in shopping centers, bus stations and particularly around the theme parks. This is an increasing problem that authorities are trying to prevent and stop.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Shenzhen, as well as the whole of China, is very prone to natural disasters like flooding, landslides and forestry fires which tend to be an important limiting factor for the economic and social growth of the country.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There were reports in Shenzhen about people being kidnapped and killed, but those were usually crime acts against citizens. The kidnapping of foreigners is rare and tourists should not be afraid when coming to Shenzhen.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Due to the history of a series of terrorist attacks by the Muslim separatist militants that have left dozens dead and wounded, there is a possibility of new ones. However, the level of this risk is low.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

As in most of China, fake banknotes are a huge problem. Tourists encountered fake money even when taken from ATMs. When this kind of scam is in question, you need to be careful when taking a change and exchange money only in banks or other licensed exchange offices. Foreigners are often victims of dishonest taxi drivers that use the situation to overcharge and even steal from passengers.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Even though China is an extremely safe country in terms of female safety, solo women are advised to avoid walking alone at night and remain cautious in crowded places.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

There is special 72-hour transit possibility for those travelers that are just passing through China on their way to other counties. For those who stay in China, a visa can be acquired from a Chinese embassy before coming to China. A valid passport is an obligatory documentation.

currency_exchange

Currency

Yuan or renminbi is the official currency of China. You can find bank machines on every step in major cities. Even though some services accept credit cards, it is better to have cash on you, since China is still a country where cash is the main means of payment.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Shenzhen has a sub-tropical climate. Periods of the year that should be avoided if you want to experience the city to the fullest are the rainy season from February to September and the hottest months, July and August. When the climate is considered, the best time to visit Shenzhen is from October to December.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, for both domestic and international flights, is 50 minutes away from Shenzhen by the metro. Major airports that can be used as an alternative when coming to Shenzhen are Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, and Hong Kong International Airport among many others.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance that includes medical issues, theft and loss of personal items and all possible and unpredictable injuries or accidents is always advised to travelers wherever in the world they decide to travel.

Shenzhen, China

What about weather in Shenzhen, China ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 66°F 67°F 72°F 79°F 84°F 87°F 89°F 89°F 88°F 84°F 77°F 70°F
Temp 60°F 62°F 67°F 74°F 80°F 83°F 85°F 84°F 83°F 78°F 71°F 63°F
Low 55°F 57°F 63°F 70°F 76°F 80°F 81°F 80°F 78°F 73°F 66°F 58°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 18°C 19°C 22°C 26°C 28°C 30°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 28°C 25°C 21°C
Temp 15°C 16°C 19°C 23°C 26°C 28°C 29°C 28°C 28°C 25°C 21°C 17°C
Low 12°C 13°C 17°C 21°C 24°C 26°C 27°C 26°C 25°C 22°C 18°C 14°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in China with Shenzhen

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries