Shanghai, China
Editor
March 12, 2023
Shanghai is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. With a population of over 24 million people, Shanghai is the largest city in China and the world’s most populous city. It is a major financial center and the world’s busiest container port. Shanghai is also home to a thriving tech industry, with many startups and tech giants such as Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu having their headquarters in the city. The cost of living in Shanghai is relatively low compared to other major cities, making it an attractive option for digital nomads. The city also offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury apartments to budget hostels. Additionally, Shanghai is home to a variety of cultural attractions, from the iconic Bund waterfront to the Yu Garden and the Shanghai Museum. With its vibrant culture, low cost of living, and abundance of tech opportunities, Shanghai is an ideal destination for digital nomads.
Living in Shanghai, China: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
123%
Quality of life -
43%
Cost of living -
82%
Connectivity -
84%
Weather
51
General
| Currency | CNY |
| Population (in millions) | 24 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 45 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Pudong, Xuhui |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 1,400 |
| Top selling local beer | Tsingtao |
| Most popular local dish | Xiao Long Bao |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower |
| Discount airline | Spring Airlines |
| Major airline | China Eastern Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Didi Chuxing |
| Primary train stations | Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station |
| Primary airports | Pudong, Hongqiao, Zhoupu |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 100000 CNY |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | No. 1818 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,C |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Suning |
| Best internet carrier | China Telecom |
| Primary cellular carrier | China Mobile |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 200 RMB |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Watsons |
| Best restaurant chain | Din Tai Fung |
| The best grocery store | Carrefour |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $20,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $25000 |
| Sales tax rate | 17% |
| Income tax rate | 45% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 500 CNY |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | China Construction Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 120 (ambulance), 119 (firefighters), 110 (police) |
| Polution per square meter | 3,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 6 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
123%
-
69%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
390%
Property to income -
31%
Crime -
64%
Healthcare -
84%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | CN¥10,069 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 4.98% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | CN¥8,874 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | CN¥179,500 |
Cost of living
43%
-
Purchasing Power
61%
-
Rent
37%
-
Food
49%
-
Restaurant
37%
-
Workspace
73%
-
Transport
47%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | CN¥7,780.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | CN¥4,020.93 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | CN¥21,228.57 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | CN¥10,666.67 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | CN¥116.59 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | CN¥19.85 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CN¥18.04 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CN¥14.99 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | CN¥124.38 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | CN¥4.42 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | CN¥100.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | CN¥6.46 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CN¥13.52 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | CN¥25.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | CN¥31.48 |
| Apples (1kg) | CN¥15.68 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CN¥14.59 |
| Potato (1kg) | CN¥6.02 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | CN¥6.85 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CN¥8.96 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CN¥10.78 |
| Banana (1kg) | CN¥11.46 |
| Onion (1kg) | CN¥7.76 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | CN¥89.78 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | CN¥40.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | CN¥290.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | CN¥40.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | CN¥10.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CN¥30.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | CN¥3.76 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | CN¥2.32 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | CN¥27.97 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | CN¥462.26 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | CN¥0.20 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | CN¥119.48 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | CN¥471.50 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | CN¥116.59 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | CN¥60.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | CN¥4.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CN¥218.70 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | CN¥8.50 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | CN¥150,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | CN¥137,666.67 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CN¥15.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CN¥3.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CN¥60.00 |