Chengdu, China

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Cost of living in Chengdu

Real monthly costs in Chengdu, China — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: FISU, CC BY 3.0.

Chengdu ranks 4th of 11 priced cities in China on cost — $501 a month in essentials, 18% above Chongqing, the cheapest. The average net salary of $1,264 covers that 2.5×. 102.7 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at prefecture level. PM2.5 averages 58 µg/m³ a year, 12× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 8°C, Aug 28°C.

Essentials / mo$501rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women102.7ages 20–39, prefecture level
Avg net salary$1,264monthly, after tax
Safety score80/100higher = safer

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$257
Rent, 1-bed city centre$452
Groceries$89
Dining out$78
Utilities$53
Local transport$24
Essentials / mo$501
Avg net salary$1,264
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$525
Rent, 3-bed city centre$878

Single person, USD. Data updated July 29, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Chengdu, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$2.96
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$22.17
McMeal at McDonald's$5.17
Cappuccino, regular$2.89
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$1.48
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$2.22
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.50
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.26

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.84
White bread, 500 g$1.75
White rice, 1 kg$0.92
Eggs, 12$1.56
Local cheese, 1 kg$14.22
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$3.55
Apples, 1 kg$1.82
Bananas, 1 kg$1.28
Tomatoes, 1 kg$1.21
Potatoes, 1 kg$0.71
Onions, 1 kg$0.71
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.59

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.59
Monthly transit pass$24.39
Taxi start$1.33
Taxi, 1 km$0.30
Gasoline, 1 L$1.24
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$40.91
Internet, 60 Mbps+$12.54
Mobile plan, monthly$9.55

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$26.86
Cinema, one seat$5.91

Dating-age sex ratio

Chengdu has 102.7 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (prefecture level). That is the 11th-highest of 12 China cities we track. China's national figure is 112.8, so Chengdu runs 10 below the country as a whole.

A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.

Climate & air

Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.

Air qualityPM2.5 58µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month28°CAug
Coolest month8°CJan
Wettest month334 mmJul
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan7.5°C5°C76%70%11 mm
Feb9.8°C7.5°C73%70%17 mm
Mar15.3°C14.2°C70%75%36 mm
Apr19.7°C19.7°C68%77%83 mm
May23.1°C24.2°C66%80%100 mm
Jun25.7°C28.7°C71%85%121 mm
Jul27.3°C31.9°C78%78%334 mm
Aug27.6°C32.3°C77%75%316 mm
Sep23.3°C26.1°C82%82%149 mm
Oct18.2°C18.9°C81%85%62 mm
Nov13.7°C12.9°C79%74%19 mm
Dec8.3°C6°C78%68%12 mm

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