FCU Chinese Language Division

"Devoted to Language Learning"

Living Costs

Affordable Expenses

Most things in Taiwan will not cost too much until you begin purchasing specialty items. Here is what you can expect to spend in Taichung for the following (all estimates in NT$):

Monthly Expenses 8,000 – 12,000 1l Unleaded 95 Gas 33
Chinese Meal or Lunchbox 60 Bus Fare Downtown 26
Foreign meal 250 Taxi Downtown 120
McDonald's Value Meal 135 Practical Cellphone 600
Tea Drink 10-40 Practical Scooter 10,000
Movie 210 Practical Bicycle 800
Cable TV 600 English Language Newspaper 15

In a study conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Taipei is ranked 48th in highest cost of living. In comparison to Beijing (20) and Shanghai (27), Taiwan itself is well below the expenses of major cities. Comparing costs in Taipei and Taichung, Taichung is considerably cheaper. For example, road-side meals and drinks are approximately 30% cheaper in Taichung, and shared apartments, or single-room apartments (with a bathroom but no kitchen), are 2/3rd's the price or less as well (of course actual location plays a factor in price of accomodation for both cities).

Apart from the financial aspect, there's another, maybe even more important but less definable in figures and that is the environment. Taipei is a giant metropolis with millions of people vying for available space, trying to prove to the world how modern it can be, thereby losing some of its uniquely Chinese aspects. Apart from being dramatically cheaper, life in Taichung is also much more laid back, much more traditional and less westernized.