Sanya, located on the southern tip of China's Hainan Island, is known for its tropical climate and beautiful beaches. As a popular tourist destination, understanding the cost of living in Sanya is crucial for both residents and visitors.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses associated with living in Sanya, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.76 on average, with a range between $2.07 and $3.45.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $20.7.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.52, with a range between $4.83 and $6.21.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.37 to $2.48, imported beer $1.79 to $2.06, cappuccino $1.23 to $4.14, and Coke/Pepsi $0.41 to $0.55.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.1 and $2.88 per liter, averaging $1.79.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.24 and $1.52, with an average price of $1.34.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.44 to $1.66, averaging $1.63.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.1 to $3.17 per kg, while oranges range from $1.1 to $3.45 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.55 and $1.1 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.28 to $0.69 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.1.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.09 and $1.28 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.52, with a cost of $0.28 to $0.55 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $551.98.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent is $344.98.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $1103.95.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent is $689.97.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is $2621.88.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $1655.93 to $2759.88, averaging $2207.9.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $41.4 and $124.19, averaging $82.57.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $6.9 to $11.04, with an average cost of $8.97.

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for China are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in China, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 9 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$2.76
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$20.70
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$5.52
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.27
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.79
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.34
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.63
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.97
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$6.90
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.76
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.87
Apples (1kg)
$2.14
Oranges (1kg)
$1.92
Potato (1kg)
$0.75
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.46
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.45
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60
Banana (1kg)
$1.45
Onion (1kg)
$0.76
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$10.17
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.10
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.87
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.52
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.55
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,587.01
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$551.98
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$344.98
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,103.95
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$689.97
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$82.57
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$8.97
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$8.97
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$23.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.80
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$4.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.66
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$12.42
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$48.30
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$96.60
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$2,621.88
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$2,207.90
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$655.47
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
5.05%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$574.97
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$13,799.38
Sanya Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Sanya offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western cities, with low dining and grocery prices.

Housing costs are moderate, especially outside the city centre, making it an attractive option for those seeking a tropical lifestyle.

Transportation is inexpensive, with affordable public transport and taxi fares, although owning a car can be more costly due to gasoline prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sanya provides a cost-effective living environment with its affordable dining, grocery, and transportation options.

While housing prices in the city centre can be higher, the overall cost of living remains manageable, especially for those who choose to live outside the central areas.

This makes Sanya an appealing destination for both expatriates and locals looking for a balance between cost and quality of life.