1. Housing / Rent

• Shared Apartment (Outside City Center): ¥2,000–¥3,500

• 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center): ¥5,000–¥8,000

• Studio in Expat Areas (Sanlitun, Chaoyang): ¥6,000–¥10,000+

Tip: Use apps like Ziroom or check WeChat housing groups for better deals.

2. Transportation

• Metro: ¥3–¥6 per ride

• Bus: ¥1–¥2

• Taxi within city center: ¥30–¥60

• Monthly Metro Card (Unlimited Travel): Around ¥200

Public transport in Beijing is excellent and affordable.

3. Food & Groceries

• Street food meal: ¥15–¥25

• Western fast food (KFC, McDonald’s): ¥35–¥50

• Local restaurant meal: ¥30–¥60

• Groceries per month: ¥1,000–¥1,800

• Imported goods: Usually 2–3x local prices

4. Utilities & Internet

• Electricity, Water, Gas: ¥300–¥500 monthly

• Mobile SIM Plan (Unlimited Data): ¥100–¥200

• Wi-Fi (Home Internet): ¥100–¥150/month

5. Lifestyle & Extras

• Gym Membership: ¥200–¥600/month

• Clubbing/Bar Night Out: ¥100–¥300

• Netflix (VPN required): Around ¥60/month

• International Health Insurance: ¥500–¥1,000/month

6. Work Visa & Legal Fees

If not covered by an employer:

• Visa Fees & Processing: ¥1,000–¥2,500

• Translation/Authentication: Additional ¥500–¥800

7. Monthly Budget Estimate (Solo Expat):

• Low Budget Lifestyle: ¥4,000–¥6,000

• Mid-Range Lifestyle: ¥7,000–¥12,000

• Premium Lifestyle: ¥13,000+

Final Tip:

You don’t have to live in the city center to enjoy Beijing. Choose nearby suburbs with metro access and enjoy the same experience for a fraction of the cost.