Is Beijing Expensive? A Detailed Guide to Living Costs in Beijing, China

Are you considering a move to Beijing? One of the most important questions everyone considering a move to a new city has is whether that city is expensive or not. The good news for those considering a move to Beijing is that it is not only one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world — it is also relatively inexpensive.

Living costs in Beijing can vary greatly, depending on your lifestyle and whether you choose to stay in a local neighborhood or one of the more expensive expat-dominated areas. Of course, the cost of living in Beijing — as with any city — will also depend on your individual lifestyle and habits.

So what exactly can you expect if you are planning to live in Beijing? In this detailed guide, we will take a look at the costs associated with different aspects of daily life in the Chinese capital, so that you can better decide if Beijing is the right place for you.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Beijing often represents the biggest expense for those living in the city, and prices can range from very affordable to highly expensive depending on your location and tastes.

If you want to stay in the heart of Beijing, a one-bedroom apartment in the popular expat neighborhoods of Dongzhimen, Sanlitun and Chaoyang will cost around 10,000 RMB ($1,460) per month. Staying further from the city center, you can find paid-by-the-week accommodation as cheap as 5,000 RMB (around $730) per month.

For those on a tight budget, shared accommodation is also available for as little as 2,700 RMB (around $400) per month. This type of accommodation is typically quite basic and can be hard to come by, however, if you move out of the city center and into a less busy neighborhood. You can also find various online resources that list such accommodation options, such as Zhubee apartment rentals.

Transport

Transport in Beijing is fairly inexpensive, but can also be very congested during rush hour (something which is unfortunately quite common in most Chinese cities). According to Numbeo, a ride on public transport — including buses and the subway — will cost you an average of 7.3 RMB (Around $1) per journey throughout the day. A monthly subway passes costs only 125 RMB ($18).

Taxis are also an affordable way to get around Beijing — with an average fares starting at around 10 RMB (just under $2). Of course, fares will go up depending on your journey distance and some of the more congested routes may incur additional charges due to the amount of time spent caught in traffic.

Rental bicycles are also widely available throughout Beijing. Although there are no comprehensive bike-sharing schemes in place yet, there are still a number of places where you can rent a bike for as little as 10 RMB ($1.50) for your entire journey.

Food

Food in Beijing is quite reasonably priced — with a budget meal from a street stall or food caravan costing as little as 12 RMB (about $2). For those looking for something more upmarket, there are some amazing restaurants serving up traditional Chinese dishes alongside some more modern international cuisines. A three course meal for two in one of these restaurants will typically cost around 150 RMB (just under $22).

Food delivery services are also incredibly popular — with most restaurants offering both delivery and pick up services. Delivery fees vary depending on the restaurant and usually cost around 5-10 RMB ($0.75-$1.50).

For those looking to do their own cooking, you can also purchase food at various markets throughout the city or pick up various items from small local supermarkets — where prices tend to be much cheaper than larger chains such as WalMart or Carrefour.

Utilities

Utility bills are generally quite low in Beijing — with the average cost of water and electricity coming in at around 195 RMB (just under $30) per month. The cost includes 20 CUBIC METERS of water & 260 kWh of electricity. However, this will differ depending on your usage and you may pay additional taxes and fees based on your actual consumption levels. Heating is often included in rental agreements, but for those wanting to source their own heating solutions — such as gas stovetops or electric heaters — prices tend to be relatively low.

Entertainment

Entertainment costs in Beijing vary greatly depending on what type of activities you choose to participate in. For example, tickets to the movies typically start from around 40 RMB ($6), while tickets to live events such as concerts or plays can cost anywhere from 80 – 200 RMB ($12 – $29).

Sports activities such as fitness classes or swimming are also relatively inexpensive — with memberships starting at around 50 RMB (roughly $7) per month. There are also a number of parks and gardens throughout the city for those looking for more outdoor activities such as climbing or cycling — many of which are free entry.

Conclusion: Is Beijing Expensive?

As we’ve seen from this guide, living costs in Beijing can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle preferences and budget. However, it is possible to find fairly affordable accommodation; transport costs are relatively low; restaurants and supermarkets offer reasonable prices; and occasions entertainment is relatively easy to come by for reasonable prices too. So, overall, it safe to say that Beijing is an affordable city — and if Budgeting isn’t an issue — can be one of the most exciting places in the world to live!