Bangkok vs Beijing Cost of Living

Bangkok (Thailand) · Overall index 36.1Beijing (China) · Overall index 43.4

Summary

  • Overall, Beijing is 20% more expensive than Bangkok.
  • Rent in Beijing is 29% more expensive than in Bangkok.
  • Dining out in Beijing is 27% more expensive than in Bangkok.
ItemBangkokBeijingDiff
Rent+29%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$785$1,210+54%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$630$654+4%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,512$2,286+51%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,069$1,225+15%
Groceries+15%
Milk (1L)$0.61$0.75+23%
White bread (500g)$2.14$2.35+10%
Rice (1kg)$2.56$3.05+19%
Eggs (12)$2.53$2.51-1%
Local cheese (1kg)$6.93$7.18+4%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.15$6.51+6%
Beef round (1kg)$10.3$10.2-1%
Apples (1kg)$2.84$3.16+11%
Bananas (1kg)$0.93$1.08+16%
Oranges (1kg)$2.4$2.56+7%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.38$2.81+18%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.38$1.88+36%
Onions (1kg)$1.39$1.54+11%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.2$1.5+25%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.22$1.52+25%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.66$9.64+26%
Transport+23%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.01$1.16+15%
Public transport, monthly pass$44.6$59.6+34%
Taxi, base fare$1.59$1.93+21%
Taxi, per km$0.81$0.86+6%
Gasoline (1L)$0.37$0.47+27%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$10,133$14,148+40%
Dining out+27%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$8.84$12.9+46%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$47.5$63.4+33%
Fast food combo meal$5.21$6.18+19%
Cappuccino$2.15$2.85+33%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.11$1.38+24%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.3$4.1+24%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.74$3.8+2%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.78$1.15+47%
Telecom+15%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$33.4$41.6+25%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$37.1$39.8+7%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.19$0.21+11%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.29$9.77+18%
Utilities & household+17%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$81.5$91.2+12%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.09$0.14+56%
Tap water (1m³)$2.32$2.62+13%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.67$0.86+28%
Waste collection (monthly)$10.8$11.8+9%
Fitness club (monthly)$37.2$45+21%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$7.95$7.83-2%
Men's haircut$15.5$17.1+10%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$12.7$13.8+9%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$991$1,236+25%

3,191 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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