Travel budget and cost of living in Beijing (China) how much does a trip cost?

Beijing travel budget

Beijing: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Beijing

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Beijing for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Beijing compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Beijing in 2024 is 35% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Beijing in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Beijing by expense type

Restaurant budget in Beijing

Lunch

$ 4.2/person
($ 3.3 to $ 6.9)

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78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 14/person
($ 11 to $ 35)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 5.5/person
($ 4.2 to $ 6.9)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 1.1 for 500ml
($ 0.7 to $ 2.7)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Imported beer

$ 1.8 for 330ml
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4

Cappuccino

$ 3.4/cup
($ 2.1 to $ 5.5)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Fizzy drink

$ 0.5/can
($ 0.4 to $ 0.8)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.3/bottle
($ 0.3 to $ 0.4)

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84% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Beijing

1-star hotel

$ 124/night
($ 38 to $ 625)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

2-star hotel

$ 124/night
($ 33 to $ 591)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151

3-star hotel

$ 133/night
($ 48 to $ 810)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

4-star hotel

$ 133/night
($ 65 to $ 355)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 303

5-star hotel

$ 248/night
($ 90 to $ 829)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 454

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 141/month
($ 31 to $ 794)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Room with kitchen

$ 208/month
($ 51 to $ 889)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 199/month
($ 58 to $ 894)

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1% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 201

Cottage or guest house

$ 101/month
($ 55 to $ 385)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Family room

$ 320/month
($ 57 to $ 1365)

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62% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199

Supermarket food budget in Beijing

Milk

$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 3)

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81% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 1.5/500g
($ 0.8 to $ 2.7)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.2)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 1.8/12 eggs
($ 0.9 to $ 2.6)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 3.3/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 6.6)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 2/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 1.7)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 0.8/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 1.1)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.5
($ 0.4 to $ 0.7)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Beijing

Bus ticket

$ 0.7/ticket
($ 0.4 to $ 0.7)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.3/km
($ 0.3 to $ 0.4)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.1/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.1)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.8
($ 1.8 to $ 2.2)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 28/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 154)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 69

Leisure activity budget in Beijing

Cinema

$ 8.2/ticket
($ 6.2 to $ 13)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 26/hr
($ 14 to $ 42)

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20% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Beijing

Cigarettes

$ 3.4/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 5.5)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 62
($ 21 to $ 138)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 35
($ 19 to $ 56)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Beijing

$ 833
(fair price: $ 604)

Melbourne → Beijing

$ 879
(fair price: $ 611)

London → Beijing

$ 976
(fair price: $ 701)

Los Angeles → Beijing

$ 1420
(fair price: $ 987)

New York City → Beijing

$ 1864
(fair price: $ 1195)

Manchester → Beijing

$ 975
(fair price: $ 654)

Book a flight Flight prices to Beijing