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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: How much is the living cost in industrialized city like Shenzhen or Shanghai?
Probably the highest cost of living in mainland China will be the city of Beijing, with Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou coming not far behind.
Your highest monthly expenditure will probably be renting a place to live. And depending on what conveniences you wish to have, your living cost could skyrocket easily. Utilities here in China are cheap compared to other countries, my monthly expenses are 13 yuan for water, 200 to 300 yuan for electricity, 88 for cell phone and Internet connection, maybe 50 to 100 for gas. Food for me runs around 1,000 Rmb, but I do my own cooking and I do eat well,
I live in a second tier city in Guangxi Province, I choose the city because is smaller that other metropolis, and thus cheaper to live on. I rent a 190 sq meter two floor apartment, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and pay 3,000 RMB per month.
My total monthly living expenses run between 5,000 and 6,000 yuan, but you could not have my standard of living in Shanghai or Shenzhen for the same amount. It will be much higher.
Depends on the lifestyle you want.
For housing, you can get an ok, albeit small place for 3500rmb (by small, I mean 45-60m2). Mind you, this is based on "ok" by local Chinese standards. Expect it to be furnished with a bed made from concrete and basic things - refrigerator, stove, AC/heater, microwave, washing machine, and a kitchen coated in oil.
Personally, I couldn't live in one of those places, but apparently people do. You can get a serviced hotel room in Shanghai for 4000 a month, but it's a hotel room.
Places that I consider nice by western standards can be found (with things like clothes dryers and ovens) but they will run anywhere between 7500 and 15000 depending on size, location, and furnishings. If you're lucky, there are sometimes places that can be found cheaper. Decent Chinese places that have the normal Chinese things which are acceptable can be found from 4500-7000. No matter what though, in Shanghai, you normally pay 3 months rent at one go (first, last, and security - the last 2 you will get back at the end if you fulfill the lease, didnt wreck the place, and your landlord isn't a scumbag) so be prepared to spend 3 times your monthly rent the first month.
Electricity, water, and gas are similar to prices other places in China. My electricy is about 200rmb a month, water and gas combined (bill comes every 2 months) is less than 60rmb. Internet is sold in packages - for the 2mb connection, it's around 1600rmb a year or 300rmb every 2 months. Cell phones are the same as other places in China.
As for food, there are ok local shops and things around that are pretty inexpensive (of course street food is cheap). Local noodle/rice joints usually run 10-12rmb a dish, but there are cheaper options - just look for the sad face on the sign. But with all the options available, expect to pay A LOT more for food. And it all can be delivered to your house. Even McDonald's. Finding a lot of food you miss from home can be found, just expect to pay for it.
Personally, I cook at home a lot, but I go out for a nice dinner a few times a month and indulge myself a little bit (ie, Sundays I get fresh NY style bagels delivered, sometimes I just crave me some Carl's Jr.). Depending on your lifestyle, it can be done cheaply 1000rmb a month or so, but I also know a lot of people that spend 300-500rmb a night for western dinners and drinks. Up to you. There are also a lot of places to buy western groceries, but these can be pricey.
Just remember, locals often get by on making les than 8,000rmb a month, so agai, it depends on the lifestyle.
Hope this helps.