Cost of Living in Chinese Student Cities

The big picture

China is cheap to live in compared with the US, UK or Australia. Your two largest costs are housing and food. On-campus dorms are heavily subsidised and drastically cut your budget; CSC scholars get free dorm plus a monthly stipend.

Monthly living cost by city (excluding tuition)

Beijing / Shanghai

~¥3,000 to 6,000 ($420 to 830). Off-campus rent is the main driver.

Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xian, Tianjin

~¥2,000 to 4,000 ($280 to 560).

Harbin, Lanzhou, Kunming, Guilin, Nanning, Urumqi

~¥1,500 to 3,000 ($210 to 420).

On-campus dormitory: typically ¥800 to 1,500/month, often much less than private rent.

Typical monthly breakdown

• Dorm: ¥600 to 1,500
• Food (canteen): ¥1,000 to 2,000
• Transport & phone: ¥200 to 400
• Misc (social, supplies): ¥300 to 800