Cost of Living in Suzhou

Summary of cost of living in Suzhou, China:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,275.4$ (15,789.1¥), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 622.6$ (4,320.1¥), excluding rent.
  • Suzhou is 47.9% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Suzhou is, on average, 69.3% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 30.00 ¥ 20.00-50.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 260.00 ¥ 200.00-500.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 35.00 ¥ 30.00-40.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 15.00 ¥ 4.00-30.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 30.00 ¥ 28.00-35.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 24.18 ¥ 10.00-40.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 5.62 ¥ 5.00-10.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) 3.39 ¥ 2.50-5.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 15.86 ¥ 8.90-20.00
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 14.49 ¥ 9.07-40.82
White Rice (1 lb) 3.98 ¥ 2.27-6.00
Eggs (12, Large Size) 13.17 ¥ 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) 26.22 ¥ 18.14-40.00
Apples (1 lb) 6.27 ¥ 2.27-9.07
Bananas (1 lb) 4.23 ¥ 2.72-8.00
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) 16.80 ¥ 6.00-30.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 30.00 ¥ 25.00-35.00
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.00 ¥ 2.00-5.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 300.00 ¥ 300.00-340.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 11.55 ¥ 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) 7.92 ¥ 7.47-8.40
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) 120,100.00 ¥ 116,800.00-130,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 665.54 ¥ 300.00-2,000.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 91.00 ¥ 50.00-100.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 87.83 ¥ 50.00-128.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 256.00 ¥ 150.00-1,500.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 125.00 ¥ 100.00-150.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 40.00 ¥ 40.00-65.00
Childcare
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Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 7,613.10 ¥ 4,000.00-13,041.67
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 145,666.67 ¥ 75,000.00-250,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
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Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 334.75 ¥ 240.00-500.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 269.80 ¥ 100.00-700.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 525.00 ¥ 400.00-1,499.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes 600.00 ¥ 300.00-1,000.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 2,928.00 ¥ 2,500.00-3,640.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 1,234.00 ¥ 900.00-1,770.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 7,203.33 ¥ 6,000.00-8,110.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 3,951.43 ¥ 3,000.00-4,680.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 3,888.62 ¥ 3,344.48-4,645.11
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 1,881.76 ¥ 1,490.34-2,229.65
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 9,305.63 ¥
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 3.66 3.00-4.41

Prices in Suzhou

This city had 204 entries in the past 12 months by 24 different contributors.
Last update: 29 January 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