Cost of Living in Chengdu, China
Chengdu is a city in China, where a single person can expect to spend about $729 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $409 per month, or $228 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 223 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Chengdu scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 52°F, with roughly 35 sunny days a year.
Chengdu Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Chengdu
How Chengdu Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Chengdu ranks in the top 2% for food scene, but sits in the bottom 2% for air quality. It is cheaper than 90% of them.
| Metric | Chengdu | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $729 | #33 of 340 | #19 of 65 |
| Safety | 58/100 | #195 of 340 | #50 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 70/100 | #155 of 340 | #23 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 223 Mbps | #115 of 340 | #19 of 65 |
| Walkability | 58/100 | #158 of 340 | #24 of 65 |
| Public transit | 72/100 | #53 of 340 | #17 of 65 |
| Food scene | 95/100 | #6 of 340 | #3 of 65 |
| Air quality | 23/100 | #337 of 340 | #63 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Chengdu
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Chengdu.
- Jaipur, India — $391/mo, 46% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Kathmandu, Nepal — $431/mo, 41% cheaper, safety 58/100
- Dalat, Vietnam — $520/mo, 29% cheaper, safety 78/100
- Bengaluru, India — $558/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 55/100
Chengdu FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Chengdu?
A single person should budget around $729 per month in Chengdu, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Chengdu?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Chengdu averages $409 per month, dropping to about $228 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $761.
Is Chengdu safe?
Chengdu scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 78/100.
How fast is the internet in Chengdu?
Median download speeds in Chengdu are around 223 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 40 coworking spaces in the city.
Does China offer a digital nomad visa?
China does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Chengdu?
Chengdu sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 52°F, with about 35 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 102 days.
Visa Requirements for China
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for China and how to apply.
Explore More
See Chengdu on the interactive map →