๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China · 2026

Cost of Living in Nanjing

Close to the China average

Ranked #452 of 577 cities · More expensive than 21.7% of cities worldwide

+0.9%
Cost of Living
-6.6%
Rent
-10.6%
Groceries
+14.2%
Purchasing Power

Compared to China average · See China ranking โ†’

Rent Prices in Nanjing

Apartment City Centre Outside Centre You Save
1-Bedroom CNY 3,512/mo โ‰ˆ $524 CNY 1,988/mo โ‰ˆ $296 43%
3-Bedroom CNY 7,361/mo โ‰ˆ $1,098 CNY 3,750/mo โ‰ˆ $559 49%
Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Nanjing

Groceries

Apples (1kg)
CNY 14.04
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)
CNY 5.40
Bread (500g)
CNY 12.06
Local cheese (1kg)
CNY 108.50
Chicken (1kg)
CNY 21.60
Cigarettes (Marlboro)
CNY 26.00
Eggs (12)
CNY 13.00
Milk (1L)
CNY 14.45
Potatoes (1kg)
CNY 5.71
Tomatoes (1kg)
CNY 8.00
Wine (mid-range)
CNY 96.50

Restaurants

Draft beer (0.5L)
CNY 18.00
Cappuccino
CNY 35.00
McMeal
CNY 31.00
Cheap meal
CNY 30.00
Mid-range dinner (2 people)
CNY 256.50

Clothing & Shoes

Business shoes (leather)
CNY 619.00
Jeans (Levi's 501)
CNY 420.00
Sport shoes (Nike)
CNY 586.75
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)
CNY 269.22

Leisure

Cinema ticket
CNY 40.25
Gym membership
CNY 224.75

Transportation

Gasoline (1L)
CNY 7.42
Taxi start
CNY 11.00
Monthly pass
CNY 179.00

Utilities

Basic utilities (85mยฒ)
CNY 342.57

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

โ˜…โ˜… Medium Confidence

Nanjing has a cost of living index of 23.1 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. LivingCost is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

23.1
Index
3
Sources
1.9
Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo
22.1
Expatistan
24.0
LivingCost
17.9
left out
ShouldIMove price index
No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

Cost Indices

Cost of Living
+0.9% Average
Rent
-6.6% Average
Groceries
-10.6% Affordable
Restaurants
-1.7% Average
Purchasing Power
+14.2% Strong

Living in Nanjing: What to Expect

Nanjing is affordable by global standards (ranked #452 of 577 cities). It is 0.9% more expensive than the China average, based on 13 cities.

Groceries are affordable and dining out is average. The best value is groceries and the priciest is restaurants.

Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.

Workers in China earning CNY 379,493 gross take home CNY 22,015/month after tax (30.4% effective rate). See full China tax calculator →

How Does Nanjing Compare?

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