Shenzhen vs Tokyo Cost of Living

Shenzhen (China) · Overall index 42.7Tokyo (Japan) · Overall index 53.8

Summary

  • Overall, Tokyo is 26% more expensive than Shenzhen.
  • Dining out in Tokyo is 33% more expensive than in Shenzhen.
  • Groceries in Tokyo is 28% more expensive than in Shenzhen.
ItemShenzhenTokyoDiff
Rent+19%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,185$1,307+10%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$709$782+10%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,871$2,737+46%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,378$1,558+13%
Groceries+28%
Milk (1L)$0.69$0.87+26%
White bread (500g)$2.09$2.62+25%
Rice (1kg)$3.01$3.43+14%
Eggs (12)$2.96$3.26+10%
Local cheese (1kg)$7.47$9.15+22%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$7.93$9.77+23%
Beef round (1kg)$11.5$14.2+23%
Apples (1kg)$3.14$3.74+19%
Bananas (1kg)$1.06$1.62+53%
Oranges (1kg)$2.37$3+27%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.07$4.44+45%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.74$2.3+32%
Onions (1kg)$1.72$2.06+20%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.34$1.69+26%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.28$1.8+41%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.84$11.4+45%
Transport+25%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.29$1.65+28%
Public transport, monthly pass$60.1$75.4+25%
Taxi, base fare$1.92$2.32+21%
Taxi, per km$0.85$1.23+45%
Gasoline (1L)$0.51$0.58+14%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$14,764$18,186+23%
Dining out+33%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$10.5$13.8+31%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$62$70.3+13%
Fast food combo meal$5.39$7.88+46%
Cappuccino$2.52$3.87+54%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.35$1.65+22%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.34$4.95+48%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$4.6$5.82+27%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.1$1.35+23%
Telecom+26%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$34.2$41.5+21%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$45.9$52.1+14%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.19$0.26+37%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$9.43$12.7+35%
Utilities & household+25%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$102$126+24%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.12$0.15+25%
Tap water (1m³)$2.58$3.07+19%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.84$1.05+25%
Waste collection (monthly)$12.8$16.3+27%
Fitness club (monthly)$43.6$62.2+43%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$9.72$9.79+1%
Men's haircut$16.4$23.3+42%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$15.5$18.8+21%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,090$1,434+32%

3,140 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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