Living Cost in Shanghai (2009 Edition)

I think everything is fine. Beer is cheap. But Rental for a apartment or room is tremendously high !
I wonder how much a person needs to earn to be able to afford that type of rental. How much they pay for a new recruit teacher in Shanghai without experience ???

@kbguy, to live in Shanghai is not easy. The rate I quoted are pretty near the city center. However, if you don't mind spending one hour or more on the road, you can always find some pretty good places outside the Inner Ring, or even Outer Ring.

On the salary side, it seems to be running to another extreme - with so many people without a job, the salary level is getting flat (if not negative) this year.

Hi,
how about the cost of buying an apartment? I read that Shenzhen is down about 30%. What's the story in Shanghai nowadays? Last year I remember that a place near Minsheng Lu on Line 6 was about $250k USD (1.5m rmb?) for a 2 bedroom. What would it be like now?

xie xie!

I have been Canada for one year. I think people who live there is easier than in China. If you earn $2000 there, you can live very comfortable. But if you earn 2000RMB in Shanghai or Beijing, you can't live as comfortable as Canada. Maybe you will say if I earn $2000, I can live very comfortable in China. But, the fact is you use $ to live in Canada, not RMB. So, we just compare the number not the kinds of currency. According to this , we can tell how difficult to live in the big city of China.

I live about 3km away from the centre of shanghai and rent a 3 bedroom flat for 6000/m. Not only hasn't the rent gone up since I moved here in 2007, but the rent of similar-sized flats nearby have all gone down. In fact the more expensive the rent the more they have been reduced. One place has gone from 10000/m to 7000/m (I know because my uncle owns the place).

I haven't renegotiated my rent though out of sheer laziness :)

So at least around here in luwan/xuhui district the rental market for larger flats is struggling. Of course if you want to buy the place it's a completely different story. The average price for flats like mine have gone from 2mil to 3.5mil. Though even there it's supposedly a buyer's market, except you have to negotiate just as you would in your average Chinese market, start by subtracting 1 million from the asking price.

I have been in Shanghai for 5 years,3 years graduate study.worked for 2 year.I and My girlfriend are master.
For us,i think i should save 3 years for a small second hand house(50 m*m)

Jian, I think there is no control in pricing for alot of things in china. Rental is definitely one of them.
Another things are shopping goods. No doubt, the trader may decide whatever price they want to sell, and it is the freedom right of the buyer to buy or not to buy. However in China, for the same particular product, eg. 5 different shops at the same street can quote a price ranges from 1000 yuan to 50 yuan. And surprisingly, you can buy this same particular product (made in China) in Singapore or Malaysia for only 30 yuan !! Sometime I pity the Chinese in China too..

Jian, Shanghai is more or less similar as HK but you can still get somewhere the cost is lower, much much more better than Hong Kong. Anyhow, it is interest to read your blog ;-P .... very nice !!
cocoina, Hong Kong

When we moved to Helsinki from Shanghai, I thought I would never go out to eat, buy new clothes or have a beer on a terrace during a sunny day again. The prices for everything inspired "shock & awe" in my family. Two years into our move, we are a bit desensitized, but dinner out has gone from 3-4 times a week, to twice a month. And I buy new clothes in the USA, where prices these days are beginning to resemble those in the old Xiang Yang market!

Jiao pinching in Finland,
Deborah

Can you comment on cost of health insurance (medical/dental/vision) in Shanghai? You mentioned 3000 RBM in 2007.. is this still true and is that on a monthly basis?

Thanks,
Sara

Can you give me the rental range of apartment one bed room in Weining road?

Hello. Can someone tell me how to find a sub-lease apartment in pu dong shang hai.

Hi,

I'm planning to move to Shanghai january 2010. I've been searching about Sanghai and I would appreciate to have your help. The company that I will work for is located in Pinghu. Can you tell me a nice place for a young couple + pet to live in shanghai ? If possible, somewhere easy to go to Pinghu.

Hello,

I tend to go to Shanghai on Jan 2009 to study language. I want to find sharing room mates in downtown apartment, would you mind to give me range cost to rent an apartment?

hi all, can anyone tell me how much I can get for architect job in Shanghai? FYI, I have 3-4 years of job experience in China. Thanks in advance for the info. All the best for you guys.

hi, my husband had a job offer somewhere 2 hrs from Beijing(forgot the name of the place)which has the salary of 7000 RMB. But he had a package deal which includes the apartment,healthcare and roundtrip fare..etc..I was just wondering if how much is the average wage for expats?Is it enough to save before going back home to USA.I wanted to ask first before we accept the job offer.Appreciate the help.Thanks and God Bless!

7000RMB a month sounds pretty low. Was it not a typo?

Great site for information, thanks. I have been offered a job in Shanghai, it pays 20,000 RMB a month (net) and 6000 RMB for housing. Would that be suitable for a family of 4 to live off in Shanghai?? Nothing too fancy, eat at home, drink at home etc...

Hi all..Anyone has an idea what is the price range of 2 bedrooms apartman rentals? I am going to study Chinese language in Shanghai.May be a master after that.And i am wondering that if it's possible finding a job with a reasonable salary? I studied International Trade and Management and worked for 2 years in my motherland.Thanx..

Go to Craigslist Shanghai to get some idea about the apartment listing, or if you can read Chinese, go to my site baixing.com

Hi, I've been searching quite a while on living costs in Shanghai since I would like to move there for a few months to work on personal projects..I was thinking: why spend so much in Copenhagen when I can do the same projects elsewhere but with lower costs ?!

To CAL: it seems that on 10 000RMB/month, no housing included, it is possible to live ok, as local people. So in your case, 20 000+ housing, it seems very good especially if you plan to buy your food in local markets etc..

I wish I had that opportunity as well!

Would like to know what's the average pay for a senior financial accountant position in a international company?

Is RMB 27,000 /mth (after tax) ok pay?

Thanks!

Hi all, new to this forum. Me and my wife are moving back to China (Shanghai) in Jan-2010. Were looking to rent an apartment in Minhang district with 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms. Can anyone suggest what we might expect to pay ? Also, what about gas, water etc...

If anyone knows of any suitable apartments please let me know on this forum.

Thanks all

I would budget RMB4000-6000 for a decent apartment in Minhang. Minhang is a huge district. You can get lower rents if you go further away from the center or in older apartments. Rents have gone up since earlier this year by 10-15%.

Suggest you post real estate questions on shanghaiexpat where there some industry professionals are active.