China is the second economy in the world. Some of the big cities in this country are so developed, so the cost of living here is not low. Of course, it depends on which city you live in. Smaller cities are affordable, but living in Shenzhen, one of China’s biggest and most high-tech cities, is more expensive. Over 17 million people live here, and the quality of life in Shenzhen is high.

Just like anywhere else, living costs in Shenzhen can be split into three main parts:

  1. Accommodation cost
  2. Food cost
  3. Transportation
1. Accommodation Cost in Shenzhen

First, let’s look at accommodation costs in Shenzhen. Two things matter most:

  • Square meters (size of the place)
  • District (location in the city)

Prices change a lot depending on where you live.

Renting a Room

You can rent a room for at least 800 RMB to 1,200 RMB in many areas. But remember, this price doesn’t work in expensive districts. If you want a room downtown, you might pay 4,000 RMB or more for just one room.

Renting a Studio

A studio usually costs a little more than a room, but sometimes a room in an expensive area can be pricier than a studio in a normal area. For a basic studio in a normal district, expect to start at 1,300 RMB. If you pay more, you’ll find better options. Most studios in Shenzhen come with basic furniture.

Renting a Whole Apartment

A full apartment is the most expensive choice. Prices start at 3,000 RMB, depending on size and location. These usually have 1 or 2 bedrooms. Some places are cheaper, but as a foreigner, you should avoid very far locations. In downtown Shenzhen, the same apartment might cost 6,000 RMB or more.

Shared Apartment

Sharing an apartment can be tricky because you’ll live with someone you don’t know. These days, even living with family isn’t easy—sometimes you don’t fully know a person even after years. If you have to do it, research your roommates first. But if you already know them, it can be a good way to save money. The advantage is that you can afford a nice downtown apartment for 6,000–7,000 RMB and split it between 2 or 3 people.

General Advice for Renting in Shenzhen
  • Check the location—being close to work and public transport is important.
  • Avoid noisy buildings—it can become a big problem over time.
  • If the contract is in Chinese, ask a local friend to help.
  • Deposit is usually 2 months’ rent.
  • If you have a car, ask about parking before renting.
2. Food Costs in Shenzhen

China has a specific food culture with many different varieties. You can find everything from international foods to traditional Chinese dishes. There are many international restaurants here, mostly in downtown areas, but Chinese restaurants are available in all districts.

If you like, you can also try street food—but only if you’re ready for a big challenge! Chinese street foods can be really strange for foreigners. Normally in China, people eat lunch-style meals for breakfast, so don’t be surprised if you see people eating fast food or spaghetti in the morning.

Anyway, for a normal breakfast meal in Shenzhen, you might pay around 10 RMB. Sometimes you can pay less as a student, or more as a tourist or businessperson. If you eat at a slightly expensive restaurant, expect to pay 35 RMB or more.

For lunch, prices start at 25 RMB in normal restaurants. But if you want to mix different dishes and enjoy a full meal, you’ll need to start from 60 RMB. Unfortunately, the meat and beef quality in normal restaurants isn’t always good. However, some restaurants serve better-quality meals—these places are a little more expensive, costing from 100 RMB.

Dinner prices are usually the same as lunch. Remember, if you order food online, everything will be cheaper.

Here are some example prices for different items:

3. Transportation Cost

Transportation cost is not high in China. The public transportation is very convenient. Especially in Shenzhen, there is a high level of public transportation standard. For public transportation, you have a variety of options: taxi, online taxi, bus, metro, and bicycle. Some of them are fast and expensive, while others are cheap but take more time.

Let’s check them one by one:

  1. Taxi
    This option is more expensive than all the other items. There are blue city taxis in Shenzhen. If you ask them, they will stop and pick you up. They charge you around 10 RMB for the initial fare. After that, depending on how long your destination is, the meter calculates the fare. The total cost is about 2.6 RMB per kilometer (4.2 RMB per mile).
  • Online Taxi
    This option works like in other countries. There are many international taxi apps, but they are not working in China. Didi is China’s famous app for online taxis. To use this app, it has to be connected to your Alipay and bank account. The normal starting fare for an online taxi is 12 RMB. Normally, we can divide trips into two parts:
    Under 35 kilometers
    It costs around 35 RMB
    Longer than 35 kilometers
    It costs around 80 RMB for long trips but still within the city area.
  • Bus
    Overall, China and specifically Shenzhen have very useful bus lines. You can check all the buses in the city on your phone. The locations of each bus are exactly right, and they are on time. Their arrival time is as precise as an airplane. You can use your app to schedule your trip by bus. It’s extremely cheap, between 2 RMB to 4 RMB. If you want, you can pay with cash.
  • Metro
    Fast, accessible, on time, and cheap. The metro system in Shenzhen is on another level. If you are in Shenzhen, you have to visit Futian Station. There is amazing architecture. Like all over the world, Shenzhen metro is busy in the morning. But there’s no need to worry. Early in the morning, a new train arrives every 2 minutes. But still, there are a lot of passengers. People form lines by themselves. You can see Chinese people’s discipline. Shenzhen metro covers many locations throughout the whole city. For using the metro, you can use coins, metro cards, or online payment. Depending on how many stations you use, the cost ranges from 3 RMB to 7 RMB.
  • Bicycle
    If you want to mix your trip with a little exercise, use a bicycle. Shenzhen is a flat city, so you can bike easily. There are Meituan and HelloBike bicycles everywhere. You just need to pay 1 RMB.
Conclusion: Living Costs in Shenzhen

The cost of living in Shenzhen ultimately depends on your lifestyle—whether you’re a student, professional, or entrepreneur. While Shenzhen isn’t a cheap city, it offers opportunities for growth and flexible living options:

  • Budget living: ~3,500 RMB/month (simple lifestyle)
  • Comfortable living: ~6,000 RMB/month (more flexibility)
  • High-end lifestyle: 10,000+ RMB/month (luxury options)