Cost Breakdown
| Category | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Housing |
$450.00
$1,800.00
$80.00
|
Per day for short-term rentals in central Shanghai |
| 🔌 Utilities |
$60.00
$120.00
$0.00
|
Included in accommodation |
| 📶 Internet & Mobile |
$25.00
$50.00
$3.00
|
Daily SIM card and data plan |
| 🛒 Groceries |
$150.00
$400.00
$10.00
|
Daily estimate for snacks and small meals |
| 🚗 Transportation |
$30.00
$80.00
$5.00
|
Daily metro and occasional taxi rides |
| 🍽️ Dining Out |
$60.00
$600.00
$25.00
|
Daily meals at mid-range restaurants |
| 🎟️ Leisure Activities |
$40.00
$150.00
$8.00
|
Daily cost for attractions and entertainment |
| 🏥 Health Insurance |
$30.00
$200.00
$0.00
|
Usually covered by travel insurance, not included here |
| 📝 Visa & Legal Fees |
$0.00
$50.00
$0.00
|
Monthly average for visa renewals and legal paperwork |
| Total |
$845.00
$3,450.00
$131.00
|
Local Resident: Basic but comfortable lifestyle for a local salary. Cooking most meals at home with occasional local restaurants (2-3x/month). Local brands and services.
Digital Nomad: Western standard of living with imported goods/services. Regular dining out at mid-range to upscale restaurants (3-4x/week). Mix of local and imported products.
Tourist: Daily costs for comfortable short-term stays. Eating most meals at restaurants, using tourist-oriented services and accommodations.
Individual Item Costs
🏢 Apartment (1 bedroom)
$850.00
Varies by neighborhood. City center tends to be 20-30% higher.
per month
☕ Coffee
$2.50
Specialty coffee shops. Local cafes might be cheaper.
per cup
🍺 Beer
$3.00
Domestic beers are cheaper; imported brands cost more.
per pint
🍽️ Meal (Inexpensive)
$4.00
Local eateries offer lower prices; tourist areas are pricier.
per meal
🍔 Fast Food Combo
$5.50
International chains have standard pricing; local fast food can be cheaper.
per meal
🚕 Taxi per km
$0.50
Rates increase slightly during peak hours.
per km