Home » General Information

Cost of Living

Ningbo is an inexpensive city. Here is an overview of the typical monthly costs. There are two categories, "Expat" and "Budget". The first category is for people whose companies pay for their expenses. The second is for people who pay their own expenses, or who will have a second or third home in Ningbo. All prices are in Chinese yuan renminbi, and are per month unless specified otherwise. For help relocating to Ningbo, contact Reindeer Station, Ningbo's expat assistant.

 
Expat
Budget
Comment
Apartment
4500-6500
1500-2500
Plus deposit. Pay 60% of the first month's rent as a commission to the agent.
Apartment Management Fee
100-250
30-100
Varies wildly depending on the apartment.
Mobile Phone Usage
300
150
Of course, this will vary. Cost of a mobile phone is 1500-3000 (new) or 150-300 (secondhand)
Landline Phone
25

25

Some people don't need landline phones.
Internet
80
80
Highspeed DSL.
Food (cook at home)
300
200
This is for standard food available at supermarkets. Imported foreign food is more expensive.
Ayi (maid/cook)
25/day
25/day
An Ayi is very convenient. She will clean, wash clothes, and, if you want, cook a meal. Twice a week is OK, but every day is very nice.
Electricity
200-800
100-400
Cheaper in cool months, more expensive in hot or cold months. How comfortable do you want to be?
Gas
20
20
For cooking and hot water.
Water
30
20
For showering and washing. Drinking water is ¥10-15 for a 5-gallon bottle.
Local Television
14
14
Not satellite TV, but regular Chinese channels. Antennas not used.
Car
100,000-250,000
N/A

For a new car. Used car is less.

Driver
2500-4000
N/A
A local driver who knows the area.
Gasoline/Insurance
Unknown
N/A
 
Taxis
360
360
The price of two ¥9 taxi rides, 5 days every week.
Restaurant meal
70-150 per meal
30-80 per meal
Foreign food is more expensive than local restaurants.
TOTAL PER MONTH
5900-8800
2600-4400
Does not include one-time expenses.