Chengdu skyline

🇨🇳Cost of Living in Chengdu

China · Population: 16,300,000 · Cost Index: 42/100

Cost of Living in Chengdu

China · Asia

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and home to the famous Giant Panda Research Base. Known for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, teahouse culture, and laid-back lifestyle, it is one of China's most livable and affordable major cities.

16,300,000

Population

42

Cost Index

76

Safety Index

64

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $1,200 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $645.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$520.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$310.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$1,100.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$650.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $4.27
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$3.50
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$20.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$4.80
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$2.10
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$1.50
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.95
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.80
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.50
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.20
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.30

Transportation

Avg: $6.62
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$30.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.40
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$1.20
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.30
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.20

Utilities

Avg: $26.33
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$55.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$10.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$14.00

Healthcare

Avg: $15.67
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$15.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$25.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$7.00

Entertainment

Avg: $10.68
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$30.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$6.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$4.20
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.50

Clothing

Avg: $48.33
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$48.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$22.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$75.00

Compare Chengdu with another city

See how Chengdu stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
CNY
Language
Mandarin
Cost Index
42/100
Safety Index
76/100
Quality of Life
64/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.