What is the cost of living in Shanghai?

The cost of living in Shanghai is 71.2% cheaper than New York City (index: 28.8). Groceries are 58.8% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 72.5% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately CNY 7,049 per month. Local purchasing power index is 100.2 (NYC = 100).

How much tax do you pay in China?

In China, a gross salary of CNY 379,493 per year results in approximately CNY 22,015 per month take-home pay after income tax and social contributions (effective rate: 30.4%). Use our China tax calculator for a personalised breakdown.

🇨🇳 China · #387 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Shanghai?

Q: Should I move to Shanghai?

Shanghai, China has a cost of living 71.2% cheaper than New York City (index: 28.8). It is ranked #387 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is strong (index: 100.2 vs NYC = 100). Workers in China earning CNY 379,493 gross take home approximately CNY 22,015/month after tax. Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

71.2% cheaper than NYC, and purchasing power is strong.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-71.2%

vs NYC

CNY 7,049

1-BR, city centre

CNY 22,015

Net take-home

Strong

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Shanghai?

Example: CNY 379,493 gross/year in China → CNY 22,015/month net after tax (30.4% effective rate). Full China tax breakdown →

Cost breakdown: Shanghai

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

28.8 Affordable

Rent

24.6 Very affordable

Groceries

41.2 Affordable

Restaurants

27.5 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

100.2 Strong

Rent in Shanghai

1-BR, city centre CNY 7,049/mo

1-BR, outside centre CNY 3,948/mo

3-BR, city centre CNY 16,781/mo

3-BR, outside centre CNY 8,216/mo

Save by going outside centre 44% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

China take-home pay

CNY 379,493 → CNY 22,015/Net take-home (30.4% effective rate, single filer)

Full China tax calculator →

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇨🇳 Beijing

China

CoL index 30.9

Compare Beijing vs Shanghai →

🇨🇳 Hangzhou

China

CoL index 26.2

Compare Hangzhou vs Shanghai →

🇨🇳 Shenzhen

China

CoL index 31.7

Compare Shenzhen vs Shanghai →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Shanghai after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

Relocation Toolkit

Trusted services for your move

Health insurance for living abroad

Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing: medical cover designed for people working and living outside their home country. Flexible monthly subscription, cancel any time.

Get covered with SafetyWing

Secure your connection in your new city

NordVPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi, lets you access content from home, and is a must-have for remote workers abroad.

Get NordVPN

We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.