Living abroad in Shanghai as an expat, digital nomad, or retiree can be exotic, luxurious, and entertaining. Depending on your lifestyle and income, the cost of living can either be more affordable than New York City or one of the most expensive cities in the world.

China also doesn’t let just any foreigners move there. You need to have either invested in their industry, worked there for three years, be related to someone in China, or fit the other qualification categories.

Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about living expenses, how to know if you can afford Shanghai, and the steps to moving there. You will also want to read our guide to living abroad in Asia.

A Guide For Living Abroad As An Expat In Shanghai

Expats and digital nomads who are considering living abroad in Shanghai will want to learn the average costs of living in Shanghai for housing, food, and transportation, the average salaries there, and the visa requirements to move there.

Knowing whether or not you qualify to move to Shanghai and if you can afford to live there is vital. After you’ve determined if Shanghai is the right place for you, you’ll want to explore the best places to live in Shanghai. 

Cost Of Living In Shanghai Vs. New York City

The average cost of living for one person in Shanghai is $1,379 a month vs. in New York City it is $3,723 a month. A family in Shanghai on average spends about $4,064 a month on living expenses, while a family in New York City spends about $8,021 a month.

These estimates come from crowdsourced data and are intended to be estimates only. Exact expenses depend largely on your lifestyle and spending habits, as well as the local market and economy.

To explore more deeply what the cost of living may be like for expats moving to Shanghai, we will give you average costs for housing, food, and transportation expenses in Shanghai, China and compare those to New York City, Shanghai’s USA counterpart.

Housing Expenses In Shanghai Vs. New York City

On average, one person will spend $768 a month on housing expenses living in Shanghai vs. $2,426 a month living in New York City. A family will spend on average $1,746 a month on housing in Shanghai compared to $3,744 a month on housing in New York.

Food Expenses In Shanghai Vs. New York City

Food expenses in Shanghai vs. New York City are just shy of half as expensive. On average, you may spend $353 a month on food in Shanghai but $752 a month in New York. Both purchasing groceries at the store and eating out at restaurants is far cheaper in Shanghai.

Here are some estimates for groceries:

• 1 lb of bread: $2.47 in Shanghai vs. $4.16 in New York
• 2.2 lb of rice: $1.78 in Shanghai vs. $6.09 in New York
• 1 qt of milk: $3.13 in Shanghai vs. $1.26 in New York
• 12 eggs: $2.83 in Shanghai vs. $5.37 in New York
• 2.2 lb of chicken: $4.56 in Shanghai vs. $17.30 in New York
• 2.2 lb of apples: $2.49 in Shanghai vs. $5.52 in New York

Here are some estimates for eating out:

• Lunch: $7.11 in Shanghai vs. $20.70 in New York
• Dinner: $42.70 in Shanghai vs. $84.30 in New York
• Fast Food Meal: $6.39 in Shanghai vs. $10.90 in New York

Transportation Expenses In Shanghai Vs. New York City

You may spend as low as a third as much money on transportation expenses in Shanghai vs. in New York City. On average, people spend only $110 a month on transportation in Shanghai but $347 a month in New York City. Using public transit is the cheapest method in Shanghai.

Here are some average costs:

• Local Transport Ticket: $0.59 in Shanghai vs. $2.75 in New York
• Monthly local transport ticket: $28.20 in Shanghai vs. $129 in New York
• Taxi for 5 miles: $6.86 in Shanghai vs. $20.10 in New York
• ¼ gallon of gas: $1.25 in Shanghai vs. $1.20 in New York

Average Salaries In Shanghai Vs. New York City

In Shanghai, the average salary made after tax is $1,510 monthly or $18,120 annually. The average salary made after tax in New York City is $5,796 monthly or $69,552 annually. Even though these salaries are drastically different, the cost of living in Shanghai is significantly cheaper.

Is Shanghai Expensive To Live In?

As one of the largest cities in China, Shanghai is quite expensive to live in, and it is even considered one of the most expensive in the world. This is largely due to the many rich people who now live there. That being said, it only needs to be as expensive as the lifestyle you choose to live.

If you have a lot of money to spend, you can find quite lavish and luxurious housing accommodations and entertainment in the heart of the city. If you have a budget but still want to move to Shanghai, you can also find more affordable housing away from downtown.

When asking the question about whether or not Shanghai is too expensive for you personally, it all comes down to your spending choices.

Here are some things to consider when asking yourself this question:

• Food

Do you plan to eat at the upscale restaurants and purchase the expensive imported food? Or do you want to buy groceries at the local markets and find the deals that exist there?

• Clothing

Is it important to you to wear expensive, brand clothing? Or are you a frugal shopper who is happy to wear regular clothing items?

• Entertainment

Do you want to spend your time at luxury clubs like the Bar Rouge or in a high-end hotel like the Mandarin Oriental? Or do you want to take a free stroll on the waterfront promenade at The Bund or explore Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town?

• Healthcare

Do you want to have access to high-end international and VIP hospitals? Or do you want to seek care at public or private hospitals?

When it comes to healthcare in Shanghai, the healthcare is more on the modern end, but there is still a wide range when it comes to the hygiene and level of treatment provided.

You will want to research health insurance in Shanghai carefully beforehand so you can find the right plan to meet your needs and budget.

Moving To Shanghai From The USA

If you plan to move to Shanghai from the USA, you can do so as an international student, a foreign worker, an individual applying for permanent residence, a skilled individual who has made a special contribution to China, or as a retiree. 

Studying In Shanghai As An International Student

To study in Shanghai, you must apply for a Chinese student visa: an X Visa if you’ll stay in China for more than six months or an F Visa if you’ll stay there for less than six months. International students need to apply for a Residence Permit for Foreigners within thirty days of arriving.

Working In Shanghai As An Expat Or Digital Nomad

If you plan to move to Shanghai as an expat and work there, you will need to get a work permit and a work-type residence permit. You need to apply for a work permit before you move to China, and you must have a job offer before you can apply.

To qualify for a work permit, you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Have good health
• Have no criminal record
• Have an employer in China
• Be qualified to perform your work
• Have a job that fills a need in China and improve China’s economy
• Live by the laws and regulations for foreigners working in China

To apply for a work permit in China, you need to present the following documents:

• Application for a Foreigner’s Work Permit
• Job qualification certificate
• Medical certificate
• Employment contract
• Passport, visa, or valid residence permit
• Certificate of your highest academic degree or vocational certificate
• Non-criminal record certificate

Getting Permanent Residence In Shanghai As An Expat

To become a permanent resident in Shanghai, China as an expat, digital nomad, foreign worker, or retiree, you need to apply for a “green card.” This card allows foreigners to live in China for an unlimited amount of time.

To qualify for a green card, you must:

• Live by Chinese laws
• Have good health
• Have no criminal record 
• And either:
  • Have invested a sum into a Chinese industry and paid taxes in China for three consecutive years
  • Hold a senior professional title in your workplace
  • Have given an outstanding contribution to China
  • Be a spouse or unmarried child of an individual applying for permanent residence
  • Be married to a Chinese citizen
  • Be at least 60 years old with no direct relatives abroad and have sponsoring relatives in China, have lived in China for five consecutive years, and have a stable source of subsistence and dwelling

Retiring In Shanghai From The USA

To retire in China, you will need to apply for a permanent residence ID card or a Chinese “green card.” The easiest ways to qualify for a green card as a retiree is to have worked and paid taxes in China for three years, invest in a Chinese industry, or be over age sixty with relatives in China.

See the above section about green cards and permanent residency as well.

Conclusion

Now that we have discussed in detail the cost of living in Shanghai, whether or not this city is considered expensive, and a bit about the visa requirements for moving there, you should be well on your way to your new home.

Be sure to check out your international health insurance options in China and feel free to reach out to insurance experts at Pacific Prime to answer any of your questions.

If you’re not settled on Shanghai, learn about living abroad in Beijing and Guangzhou.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content – no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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