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

Shanghai travel budget

Shanghai: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Shanghai

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

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

Cost of living in Shanghai compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Shanghai in 2024 is 38% 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 Shanghai in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Shanghai by expense type

Restaurant budget in Shanghai

Lunch

$ 4.3/person
($ 3.5 to $ 7.7)

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77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 18/person
($ 13 to $ 35)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 5.4/person
($ 4.2 to $ 6.9)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 1.4 for 500ml
($ 0.7 to $ 4.2)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 1.6 for 330ml
($ 0.8 to $ 2.7)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 3.6/cup
($ 1.9 to $ 5.3)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 0.5/can
($ 0.4 to $ 1.2)

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79% 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 Shanghai

1-star hotel

$ 98/night
($ 38 to $ 314)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 82/night
($ 18 to $ 551)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152

3-star hotel

$ 97/night
($ 24 to $ 567)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

4-star hotel

$ 134/night
($ 49 to $ 713)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 304

5-star hotel

$ 231/night
($ 73 to $ 874)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 435

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 85/month
($ 25 to $ 299)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162

Room with kitchen

$ 205/month
($ 40 to $ 1350)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 236

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 183/month
($ 50 to $ 902)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 203

Cottage or guest house

$ 100/month
($ 41 to $ 338)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Family room

$ 244/month
($ 38 to $ 1323)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 201

Supermarket food budget in Shanghai

Milk

$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 3.5)

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119% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 2/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 4.2)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.2/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 2.2)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 1.7/12 eggs
($ 0.9 to $ 2.5)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 3.3/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 5.6)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 2.2/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 4.2)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 1.6/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 2.7)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.4 to $ 1.6)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.5
($ 0.3 to $ 1.4)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Shanghai

Bus ticket

$ 0.5/ticket
($ 0.4 to $ 0.7)

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77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.4/km
($ 0.3 to $ 0.5)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.4)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 2.2
($ 1.9 to $ 2.5)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 29/24hrs
($ 16 to $ 151)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Shanghai

Cinema

$ 8.3/ticket
($ 5.6 to $ 13)

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

Tennis

$ 20/hr
($ 12 to $ 29)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Shanghai

Cigarettes

$ 3.5/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 4.2)

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

Levi's jeans

$ 60
($ 22 to $ 112)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 38
($ 22 to $ 70)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Shanghai

$ 864
(fair price: $ 680)

Melbourne → Shanghai

$ 878
(fair price: $ 703)

Toronto → Shanghai

$ 1810
(fair price: $ 1337)

Los Angeles → Shanghai

$ 1768
(fair price: $ 1211)

London → Shanghai

$ 1058
(fair price: $ 678)

New York City → Shanghai

$ 1817
(fair price: $ 1253)

Book a flight Flight prices to Shanghai