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Taiwan is a popular place for expats because the overall cost of living in Taiwan is much lower than in the United States. Americans can apply for visas to live or work in Taiwan, and the healthcare system is modern and affordable. The official language is Taiwanese Mandarin.
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Are you considering a move to Taiwan or abroad? Perhaps you would like to find a lower cost of living or a higher quality of life. Maybe you’re just excited to live out your next adventure abroad.
No matter your situation, keep reading to find out how the cost of living compares in Taiwan to the United States!
In this article, we’ll also address topics like cultural differences between the countries, healthcare in Taiwan, and some guidance on visas in Taiwan. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a retiree, or hoping to work abroad, there’s something for you in this guide.
Most Important Information For Living In Taiwan
One of the most important things to know before moving abroad is whether or not you can afford to live in your desired country, like Taiwan. The good news is that the average cost of living in Taiwan is lower than in the United States, but it may mean reviewing spending habits.
To help you review your spending habits and compare them to potential costs in Taiwan, we’ll look more in-depth at the cost of living. After, keep reading for even more information about retirement and visas. For information about living in Asia in general, see our guide to living abroad in Asia.
If you’re still looking for the best places to live in Taiwan for expats, don’t miss our article here about top spots. To consider more countries in Asia, see our article about the best places in Asia for expats.
Cost Of Living In Taiwan Vs. The USA
The cost of living in Taiwan is lower on average than in the United States. Eating out and housing tend to be more affordable than in the USA, but groceries and the average amount spent on transportation may be higher in Taiwan.
Methodology
We used crowd-sourced data to compare the average reported costs in both countries. However, that data is an average across the entire country. For a more accurate comparison between your current city and your destination city, you will want to compare the reported costs from your city.
Housing Cost Comparison Taiwan Vs. The USA
Rent is less expensive on average in Taiwan. Mortgage payments are higher on average in Taiwan than in the United States, despite a much lower interest rate. The average interest rate on a 20-year mortgage in Taiwan is 1.8%, but the average rates in the USA are currently over 5%.
Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment
- Rent for a downtown one-bedroom apartment is 73.4% less expensive in Taiwan compared to the USA.
- Rent for a suburban one-bedroom apartment in Taiwan is 74.6% less costly than in the USA.
Rent for a Three-Bedroom Apartment
- Rent for a downtown three-bedroom apartment is 58.9% less expensive in Taiwan compared to the United States.
- Rent for a suburban three-bedroom apartment is 65.2% more affordable in Taiwan than in the USA.
Food Cost Comparison Taiwan Vs. The USA
The cost of eating out in Taiwan is much more affordable than in the United States. However, some grocery prices are much higher on average in Taiwan compared to the USA. Other groceries are cheaper on average.
Eating Out in Taiwan vs. the USA
- Lunch menu items are 77.9% less expensive in Taiwan compared to the United States.
- Dinner for two at a restaurant is 57.7% more affordable in Taiwan than in the USA.
- In Taiwan, a fast food meal is 45.8% less costly on average than in the United States.
Grocery Staples that May Cost More in Taiwan
- Milk in Taiwan is three times the cost of milk in the USA on average.
- Beef, like steak, can be almost 30% more expensive in Taiwan.
- Bananas are 9.9% more expensive on average in Taiwan.
- Potatoes have the same average price in both countries.
Grocery Staples Savings in Taiwan
- A loaf of white bread is 41.4% cheaper in Taiwan than in the USA.
- Rice is 19.3% less expensive on average in Taiwan.
- Eggs are 28.9% more affordable in Tawain than in the United States.
- Chicken is 30.2% cheaper on average in Taiwan.
- Apples are 13.9% less expensive than in the USA.
- Oranges are 40.8% less costly in Taiwan than in the United States.
- Onions are 19.2% more affordable in Taiwan than in the USA.
Transportation Cost Comparison Taiwan Vs. The USA
People in Taiwan report spending 8.2% more on average each month on transportation expenses than people across the USA. Gasoline is 2% more expensive in Taiwan. A monthly public transit pass in Taiwan is 41.5% less costly than in the USA. A taxi ride is 49.6% cheaper in Taiwan on average.
Salaries In Taiwan Vs. The USA
The average after-tax salary in Taiwan is 65.3% lower than in the United States. The average after-tax salary in Taiwan is enough to cover the average expenses for an individual for 1.5 months. In the USA, the average after-tax salary covers 1.9 months of average expenses for an individual.
Despite low average salaries in Taiwan, many expats make enormous salaries and have a much larger benefits package than they would receive from an employer in the USA.
Is Taiwan Expensive To Live In?
Taiwan has a lower cost of living. Even though Taiwan has a lower after-tax salary on average, taxes cover a significant portion of healthcare expenses. While groceries can be expensive in Taiwan, eating out is a much more affordable option.
If you have a family, there are many international schools to choose from in Taiwan.
Healthcare in Taiwan
The healthcare in Taiwan is high quality but only costs a fraction of what you would pay in the USA. Taiwan uses a single-payer system, but it features low waiting times and modern treatments. Taiwan also has a higher life expectancy than the United States.
If you have any questions about getting international health insurance while you’re abroad, reach out to an expert for help and a free quote.
Living In Taiwan As An American
Living in Taiwan as an American expat has many benefits, but there are also some differences. For example, you will need to get used to a new currency, the New Taiwanese dollar (NT) as opposed to the US Dollar (USD).
Taiwan largely uses the metric system, but some traditional Chinese or Japanese standards of measurement may be found in certain applications.
Only 30% of people in Taiwan speak English, so learning some Taiwanese Mandarin will be important for conducting your day-to-day business more easily.
Cultural Adjustments For Americans In Taiwan
To prepare yourself for moving to Taiwan, there are a few differences that Americans may notice. For example, respecting elders is very important in Taiwan, as it is important in many Asian and Eastern cultures.
Here are some other differences:
- In Taiwan, everyone removes their shoes to enter a house, but in the USA, it’s common for people to leave their shoes on in the house.
- Shower heads are adjustable, so it’s not uncommon for families in Taiwan to shower their toddlers. In the USA, we often use a bathtub to bathe toddlers.
- In some places in the USA, it’s common to smile at strangers. In Taiwan, it’s more common to avoid eye contact with strangers.
- Many American students have outdoor recess, but recess is indoors in Taiwan.
- It’s not uncommon for families in Taiwan to eat out for all three meals.
Retiring In Taiwan From The USA
Even though Taiwan does not offer a specific retirement visa, Americans who are granted a resident visa may still retire in the country. The lower cost of living and high quality of life in Taiwan makes it an attractive place for retirees to move.
Be aware that Taiwan does not have a Social Security agreement with the United States. That means that you will have to meet minimum qualifications in a given country to receive any government retirement benefits from that country.
You can still use any retirement benefits from the United States to meet income qualifications for a visa to Taiwan. This can be a great option because you can stretch your retirement savings further in countries with lower costs of living like Taiwan if you plan properly.
Moving To Taiwan From The USA
If you can land a job with a company in Taiwan, housing and relocation costs may be covered by your new employer. Taiwan is considered one of the best places for expats, and a significant portion of Taiwan’s expat population is American.
Visa Requirements For US Citizens In Taiwan
Anyone hoping to move to Taiwan from the United States will need to complete a visa application before heading to Taiwan. There are a few options for visas including a working holiday visa that works well for digital nomads.
General requirements for a visa in Taiwan:
- Proof of international health insurance coverage in Taiwan
- Certificate of good conduct
- Passport
- Completed application form
For expats hoping to work in Taiwan, you also must meet one of the following conditions:
- At least six months of work experience with a salary over NT $47,971 (About $1560 USD)
- Graduation from one of the world’s top universities, as determined by the Republic of China
- Otherwise deemed eligible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
After applying for a visa, you may be asked for an interview. Here is a helpful flow chart that shows the steps in the process for a resident visa application in Taiwan.
Conclusion
Taiwan is a wonderful place for expats. It has a robust and affordable healthcare system as well as a lower cost of living. There are a number of visa options available for Americans hoping to move to Taiwan.
If you would like to consider other countries in Asia, check out our guides for living abroad in Indonesia and Japan!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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