Dalian, China

← China cost of living · public guide

Cost of living in Dalian

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

Photo: Fumihiko Ueno, CC BY 3.0.

Dalian ranks 7th of 16 priced cities in China on cost — $519 a month in essentials, 22% above Chongqing, the cheapest. The average net salary of $1,097 covers that 2.1×. 93.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at county level. PM2.5 averages 27.5 µg/m³ a year, 6× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages -2°C, Aug 26°C.

Essentials / mo$519rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women93.9ages 20–39, county level
Avg net salary$1,097monthly, after tax

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$238
Rent, 1-bed city centre$402
Groceries$83
Dining out$91
Utilities$77
Local transport$30
Essentials / mo$519
Avg net salary$1,097
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$442
Rent, 3-bed city centre$704

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

Everyday prices

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

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$3.55
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$25.17
McMeal at McDonald's$5.18
Cappuccino, regular$3.29
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$0.96
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$1.48
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.48
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.24

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.60
White bread, 500 g$1.44
White rice, 1 kg$0.98
Eggs, 12$1.60
Local cheese, 1 kg$17.25
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$3.41
Apples, 1 kg$1.28
Bananas, 1 kg$1.10
Tomatoes, 1 kg$0.85
Potatoes, 1 kg$0.85
Onions, 1 kg$0.69
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.65

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.30
Monthly transit pass$29.61
Taxi start$1.48
Taxi, 1 km$0.44
Gasoline, 1 L$1.24
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$64.16
Internet, 60 Mbps+$13.23
Mobile plan, monthly$9.18

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$27.76
Cinema, one seat$6.66

Dating-age sex ratio

Dalian has 93.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (county level). That is the lowest of the 17 China cities we track. China's national figure is 112.8, so Dalian runs 19 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 27.5µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month26°CAug
Coolest month-2°CJan
Wettest month140 mmAug
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan-1.7°C-7.7°C63%40%8 mm
Feb-0.3°C-6°C64%39%11 mm
Mar4.6°C-0.2°C68%37%15 mm
Apr10.1°C6.2°C68%44%32 mm
May15.5°C13.2°C73%47%55 mm
Jun20.5°C21°C81%51%63 mm
Jul24.6°C27.6°C86%54%117 mm
Aug25.8°C29°C81%50%140 mm
Sep22°C22.5°C74%40%59 mm
Oct15.3°C12.4°C65%41%37 mm
Nov8°C3.3°C65%45%35 mm
Dec1°C-4.9°C63%42%11 mm

Need the full China model?

Open the gated deep-dive for city shortlist, cost detail, weather, visa, tax, dating-market signals, and subregion rankings.

Unlock China deep-dive