Shenzhen, China

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Cost of living in Shenzhen

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

Photo: Charlie fong, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Shenzhen ranks 9th of 11 priced cities in China on cost — $723 a month in essentials, 70% above Chongqing, the cheapest. The average net salary of $1,721 covers that 2.4×. 128 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at city level. PM2.5 averages 27.1 µg/m³ a year, 5× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 17°C, Jul 29°C.

Essentials / mo$723rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women128ages 20–39, city level
Avg net salary$1,721monthly, after tax
Safety score76/100higher = 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$440
Rent, 1-bed city centre$671
Groceries$96
Dining out$100
Utilities$65
Local transport$22
Essentials / mo$723
Avg net salary$1,721
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$868
Rent, 3-bed city centre$1,774

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

Everyday prices

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

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$3.69
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$29.56
McMeal at McDonald's$5.17
Cappuccino, regular$3.09
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$1.48
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$2.00
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.53
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.31

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.66
White bread, 500 g$1.70
White rice, 1 kg$1.23
Eggs, 12$1.73
Local cheese, 1 kg$18.68
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$3.50
Apples, 1 kg$2.13
Bananas, 1 kg$1.52
Tomatoes, 1 kg$1.40
Potatoes, 1 kg$1.07
Onions, 1 kg$1.31
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.58

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.44
Monthly transit pass$22.17
Taxi start$1.48
Taxi, 1 km$0.40
Gasoline, 1 L$1.28
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$54.25
Internet, 60 Mbps+$11.20
Mobile plan, monthly$9.02

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$48.79
Cinema, one seat$7.38

Dating-age sex ratio

Shenzhen has 128 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (city level). That is the highest of the 12 China cities we track. China's national figure is 112.8, so Shenzhen runs 15 above 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 27.1µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month29°CJul
Coolest month17°CJan
Wettest month341 mmAug
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan16.7°C15.6°C72%55%44 mm
Feb17.6°C17°C75%62%42 mm
Mar20.7°C21.7°C80%68%77 mm
Apr23.8°C26.4°C81%68%113 mm
May26.8°C31.4°C84%76%248 mm
Jun28.7°C34.6°C85%85%300 mm
Jul29.4°C35.4°C83%75%226 mm
Aug28.9°C35.1°C85%77%341 mm
Sep28.4°C34°C82%63%230 mm
Oct25.7°C28.3°C74%54%145 mm
Nov22.4°C23.5°C74%49%50 mm
Dec17.5°C16.1°C67%52%22 mm

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