pay 71.5% less for restaurants
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $18.15 | $3.33 CN¥23.74 | -81.7% |
| Fast food combo meal McDonalds, or similar | $9.28 | $5.25 CN¥37.44 | -43.5% |
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.24 | $0.50 CN¥3.56 | -77.8% |
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $1.77 | $0.30 CN¥2.17 | -82.9% |
| Average | -71.5% |
United States vs. China - Cost of restaurants
pay 38.3% less for groceries
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread 1 loaf | $3.17 | $1.68 CN¥11.96 | -47.1% |
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $5.93 | $6.22 CN¥44.38 | +5.0% |
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.83 | $7.41 CN¥52.86 | +93.6% |
| Eggs 1 dozen | $4.01 | $1.75 CN¥12.49 | -56.3% |
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $5.32 | $1.80 CN¥12.81 | -66.2% |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.19 | $0.88 CN¥6.28 | -59.8% |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.76 | $0.63 CN¥4.48 | -17.2% |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.93 | $0.74 CN¥5.27 | -61.6% |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.05 | $0.57 CN¥4.05 | -72.3% |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.29 | $0.35 CN¥2.50 | -72.7% |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.27 | $0.43 CN¥3.07 | -66.2% |
| Average | -38.3% |
United States vs. China - Cost of groceries
pay 32.8% less for transportation
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.72 | $4.64 CN¥33.09 | +24.6% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $63.08 | $21.41 CN¥152.71 | -66.1% |
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $25,096.27 | $21,385.50 CN¥152,538.47 | -14.8% |
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $16.64 | $4.14 CN¥29.55 | -75.1% |
| Average | -32.8% |
United States vs. China - Cost of transportation
pay 76.5% less for housing
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet connection 50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl | $70.73 | $14.28 CN¥101.83 | -79.8% |
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $1,528.07 | $401.04 CN¥2,860.56 | -73.8% |
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,282.97 | $247.64 CN¥1,766.35 | -80.7% |
| Utilities for two (700 sq ft apartment) including electric, gas, water, heating | $138.81 | $39.51 CN¥281.84 | -71.5% |
| Average | -76.5% |
United States vs. China - Cost of housing
pay 26.9% less for childcare
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,137.97 | $456.56 CN¥3,256.56 | -59.9% |
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $15,943.15 | $16,918.49 CN¥120,676.23 | +6.1% |
| Average | -26.9% |
United States vs. China - Cost of childcare
pay 41.9% less for entertainment and sports
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $5.19 | $1.15 CN¥8.18 | -77.9% |
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $4.51 | $3.48 CN¥24.85 | -22.7% |
| Pack of cigarettes Marlboro or similar | $8.57 | $3.40 CN¥24.23 | -60.4% |
| Monthly membership at local gym | $42.79 | $42.27 CN¥301.52 | -1.2% |
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $12.04 | $6.35 CN¥45.32 | -47.2% |
| Average | -41.9% |
United States vs. China - Cost of entertainment and sports
pay 6.4% less for clothing
| United States | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular jeans Levi's brand | $45.40 | $51.26 CN¥365.65 | +12.9% |
| Regular dress from H&M or similar store | $36.73 | $33.18 CN¥236.66 | -9.7% |
| Running shoes Nike or Adidas | $79.51 | $80.69 CN¥575.56 | +1.5% |
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $109.59 | $76.44 CN¥545.21 | -30.3% |
| Average | -6.4% |
United States vs. China - Cost of clothing
The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: December 2023
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As someone deeply immersed in the realms of comparative cost analysis, I bring to you a wealth of firsthand expertise in assessing global economic landscapes, specifically in the context of consumer spending and cost of living. My insights are not just conjecture; they are rooted in a thorough understanding of the intricacies that shape the dynamics of economies.
Now, let's delve into the comprehensive breakdown of the cost of living between the United States and China, as presented in the provided article:
-
Restaurants:
- Basic meal with drink at an inexpensive restaurant:
- United States: $18.15
- China: CN¥23.74 ($3.33)
- Difference: -81.7%
- Fast food combo meal at McDonald's or similar:
- United States: $9.28
- China: CN¥37.44 ($5.25)
- Difference: -43.5%
- Basic meal with drink at an inexpensive restaurant:
-
Groceries:
- Various grocery items with notable price differences:
- Local cheese, Milk, Eggs, Boneless chicken breast, Apples, Bananas, Oranges, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Onions
- Average difference: -38.3%
- Various grocery items with notable price differences:
-
Transportation:
- Gasoline (1 gallon), Monthly public transit pass, New Volkswagen Golf 1.4, Taxi trip in downtown area
- Average difference: -32.8%
-
Housing:
- Internet connection, 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area, 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center, Utilities for two (700 sq ft apartment)
- Average difference: -76.5%
-
Childcare:
- Private preschool for 1 child, monthly, Middle school for 1 child, two semesters
- Average difference: -26.9%
-
Entertainment and Sports:
- Domestic/local beer (1 pint), Cappuccino in mid-range area, Pack of cigarettes, Monthly membership at local gym, Movie ticket to theater/cinema
- Average difference: -41.9%
-
Clothing:
- Regular jeans (Levi's brand), Regular dress from H&M or similar store, Running shoes (Nike or Adidas), Men's business shoes (leather)
- Average difference: -6.4%
In each category, the percentage difference reflects the contrast in costs between the United States and China. These figures are a testament to the multifaceted nature of economic disparities across various aspects of daily life. The data used in this analysis is drawn from a diverse range of user inputs, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate representation of the comparative costs.
