Cost of Living in Suzhou

Summary of cost of living in Suzhou, China:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $2,208.5 (¥15,006.5), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $606.3 (¥4,119.9), excluding rent.
  • Suzhou is 50.2% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Suzhou is, on average, 69.1% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant ¥30.00 18.00-60.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) ¥200.00 198.00-500.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) ¥35.00 30.00-40.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) ¥15.00 4.00-20.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) ¥30.00 28.00-30.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) ¥22.73 10.00-33.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) ¥5.50 4.00-8.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) ¥3.17 2.00-5.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) ¥13.48 8.90-20.00
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) ¥12.67 9.07-18.14
White Rice (1 lb) ¥3.90 2.27-6.00
Eggs (12, Large Size) ¥12.36 5.78-18.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) ¥67.61 45.36-136.08
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) ¥10.77 5.44-20.00
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) ¥27.10 22.68-40.00
Apples (1 lb) ¥5.90 2.27-10.00
Bananas (1 lb) ¥3.86 2.27-8.00
Oranges (1 lb) ¥4.31 1.81-7.00
Tomatoes (1 lb) ¥4.88 2.27-8.00
Potatoes (1 lb) ¥1.93 0.91-4.00
Onions (1 lb) ¥3.74 1.36-6.35
Lettuce (1 Head) ¥6.40 2.00-30.00
Bottled Water (50 oz) ¥3.83 3.00-5.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) ¥70.00 50.00-200.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) ¥7.22 6.00-8.57
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) ¥14.80 6.00-20.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) ¥30.00 25.00-30.00
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) ¥3.50 2.00-6.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) ¥300.00 300.00-340.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) ¥11.10 11.00-14.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) ¥4.02 2.00-4.83
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) ¥100.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) ¥8.16 7.47-9.08
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) ¥129,900.00 129,900.00-129,900.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) ¥118,850.00 116,800.00-125,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) ¥670.54 300.00-2,000.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) ¥87.50 50.00-100.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) ¥74.83 50.00-100.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership ¥225.80 150.00-350.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) ¥125.00 100.00-150.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) ¥40.00 39.00-50.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child ¥8,215.28 5,000.00-13,041.67
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child ¥145,125.00 75,000.00-250,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) ¥347.60 240.00-500.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) ¥274.67 199.00-350.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) ¥559.80 400.00-1,499.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes ¥579.80 300.00-1,000.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre ¥3,035.00 2,500.00-3,640.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre ¥1,292.50 900.00-1,770.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre ¥7,044.00 6,000.00-8,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre ¥3,776.67 2,500.00-4,680.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre ¥3,357.66 2,109.74-6,503.16
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre ¥1,719.99 1,490.34-1,858.05
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) ¥9,164.66
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 3.53 3.00-3.67

Prices in Suzhou

This city had 238 entries in the past 12 months by 26 different contributors.
Last update: 4 May 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Suzhou? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Suzhou.
  
  
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4 Comments so far
전형진 on Feb 24, 2025:
Work & watching YouTube. no drinking no sports. so I have no idea of life prices
Gareth on Jul 04, 2024:
data of Suzhou is completely wrong. Shanghai is definitely the most expensive city in China.
Allen Chan on Dec 09, 2020:
Is 6000-7500rmb as monthly salarygood enough in Suzhou? Housing or rent will be paid by the employer -- It's low monthly salary in Suzhou. In China, the employer no pay staffs' condo/single room rent,if u working in a factory, the employer will provide a dormitory ( 2-4-6 persons living a sigle room).Not advice u come to Suzhou with 6000-7500rmb monthly salary.
Koko on Oct 21, 2020:
Is 6000-7500rmb as monthly salarygood enough in Suzhou? Housing or rent will be paid by the employer