Kunming, China

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Cost of living in Kunming

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

Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Kunming ranks 3rd of 17 priced cities in China on cost — $444 a month in essentials, 4% above Chongqing, the cheapest. The average net salary of $859 covers that 1.9×. 105.8 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at prefecture level. PM2.5 averages 18.1 µg/m³ a year, 4× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 10°C, Jun 22°C.

Essentials / mo$444rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women105.8ages 20–39, prefecture level
Avg net salary$859monthly, after tax
Safety score79/100higher = 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$178
Rent, 1-bed city centre$237
Groceries$91
Dining out$67
Utilities$71
Local transport$37
Essentials / mo$444
Avg net salary$859
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$321
Rent, 3-bed city centre$543

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

Everyday prices

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

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$2.22
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$22.22
McMeal at McDonald's$6.29
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$0.46
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.30

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.72
White bread, 500 g$1.72
White rice, 1 kg$1.48
Eggs, 12$1.56
Local cheese, 1 kg$7.41
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$4.44
Apples, 1 kg$1.37
Bananas, 1 kg$1.00
Tomatoes, 1 kg$1.18
Potatoes, 1 kg$0.37
Onions, 1 kg$0.89
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.64

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.74
Monthly transit pass$37.03
Taxi start$1.48
Taxi, 1 km$0.30
Gasoline, 1 L$1.21
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$54.10
Internet, 60 Mbps+$17.37
Mobile plan, monthly$14.63

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$41.97
Cinema, one seat$5.92

Dating-age sex ratio

Kunming has 105.8 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (prefecture level). That is the 12th-highest of 17 China cities we track. China's national figure is 112.8, so Kunming runs 7 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 18.1µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month22°CJun
Coolest month10°CJan
Wettest month264 mmJun
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan10.2°C7.4°C72%39%49 mm
Feb12.2°C9.1°C63%37%27 mm
Mar16.9°C13.8°C51%31%32 mm
Apr19.1°C17°C55%40%68 mm
May21.3°C20.7°C62%53%115 mm
Jun22°C23.4°C76%86%264 mm
Jul21.7°C23.5°C79%87%228 mm
Aug21.6°C23.6°C80%80%256 mm
Sep20.2°C21.4°C81%78%166 mm
Oct17.3°C17.3°C81%67%110 mm
Nov14.1°C12.7°C76%44%34 mm
Dec10.7°C8.5°C78%50%24 mm

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