Living Costs in Shenzhen: What You Need to Know

Quite noticeably, there is a marked increase in the incoming migration rate in the Town of Shenzhen in mainland China. This increase might be due to the fact that it almost shares a border with economic giant Hong Kong or due to the fact that Shenzhen is also building a name of its own in the niche of tourism and business. Quite high as compared to other Chinese towns and cities, the Living Costs in Shenzhen are still manageable as compared to its neighbour, Hong Kong, and especially with western cities.

If you plan on staying in Shenzhen longer than the usual tourist does, you might want to check out the District of Dameisha, as it offers the cheapest accommodations. The only downside is that it is far from almost everything, but you get to enjoy the wonderful beach anytime because the seaside is your backyard! On the other end of the spectrum is the Overseas Chinese Town or OCT for short. This is a really upscale neighbourhood, thus you should expect upscale living costs as well.

The average rental price for a decent-sized apartment in the Futian District is about RMB 7,500. The rent can be as low as RMB 6,500 and as high as RMB 8,000. These apartments range from 85 to 90 square meters. However, depending on the floor area and the location, some apartments can cost RMB 30,000. In the Nanshan District, the average rent is RMB 5,000. It can get as low as RMB 1,200 per week for a 1 bedroom apartment, and as high as RMB 5,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment. A 3-bedroom apartment, however, is a different story, as it can cost around RMB 13,000 to 15,000. Luohu’s and Dongguan’s apartment rates are not far off from the previously mentioned districts.

Dameisha in the Yantian District offers its villas for rent. These villas range from 250 to 350 square meters and provides 3 to 4 bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms, and a living room. The rates are quite steep, which range from 25,000 to 35,000 RMB. These villas, however, are close to the beach and offers the serenity and tranquility of living by the seaside.

When looking for affordable rates, steer clear of advertisements, a little research and legwork will help you save from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month.

For further reading:

Living in Shenzhen as an Expat

Moving House Shenzhen: Finding Your New Shenzhen Home