The Cost of Living in Chengdu in 2026
One of the questions often asked the most is surprisingly not about visas or Chinese classes. It’s simply: “How much money do I need to live in Chengdu?”
The short answer is: probably less than you think. While it depends of the change, here’s an example of some items vs some EU cities:
Compared to cities like Shanghai or Beijing prices are around 35% lower, making Chengdu one of the most affordable large city to study in China. You can have a great quality of life without constantly checking your bank account, which is one of the reasons so many students end up staying longer than they originally planned.
Accommodation will usually be your biggest expense. A room in a serviced apartment is often enough if you’re coming for a language course, and most students spend somewhere between ¥2,500 to ¥4,000 a month. If you’d rather have your own place, expect to pay a bit more, depending on the neighbourhood and the building.
Food is where Chengdu really shines. You could cook every day, but honestly… most people don’t. Local restaurants are everywhere and home delivery is very common, portions are generous, and it’s often cheaper to eat out than to buy imported ingredients. A bowl of noodles, dumplings or a rice dish usually costs less than what you’d pay for a coffee back home. Of course, if you suddenly develop a daily Starbucks habit, your budget might have a different opinion. You can just take a look a random options on Meituan, the largest food delivery platform in China:
Getting around is easy. The metro is modern, clean and surprisingly extensive. On sunny days, shared bikes are everywhere and quickly become your favourite way to move around the city. After a week, you’ll probably stop thinking about transportation altogether because it’s simply so convenient.
Overall, it is possible to live a student life comfortably on ¥7,000 to ¥9,000 per month, excluding tuition fees. Some spend less, especially if they’re happy eating local food every day. Others spend more because Chengdu has a way of making you say “yes” to one more hotpot dinner, one more café or another weekend trip to the mountains.
Chengdu isn’t only great because it’s affordable. It’s that your money goes much further than in many other big cities. Instead of worrying about every expense, you can actually enjoy your time here. Grab coffee with classmates, spend an afternoon in a tea house, explore a new neighbourhood or join a weekend activity without feeling guilty.
For students seeking an authentic Chinese language immersion experience without the high costs of Beijing or Shanghai, Chengdu is one of the most attractive destinations in China.
Chengdu is one of the easiest cities in China to live in, both financially and practically. Once you’re here, you’ll quickly find your own rhythm—and probably wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
