Living in Chengdu

Chengdu

Spicy relaxing culture
Photo by kev1n Z
83
Score

Chengdu is where spicy hotpot meets chilled vibes. The capital of Sichuan province, it blends ancient traditions with modern comfort - a city where you can sip tea in centuries-old teahouses, spot pandas at world-famous sanctuaries, and work remotely from sleek cafes or co-working spaces.

Unlike China's breakneck mega-cities, Chengdu has a more relaxed pace, making it a favourite for digital nomads who want big-city perks without the burnout. And yes - the food alone is worth the trip.

The Good

  • 🤤 Great food options
  • 🍜 Streetfood
  • 💼 Plenty of places to work
  • 👮 Safe
  • 📡 Strong wifi coverage
  • 🚀 Fast wifi
  • 🚌 Good public transport
  • 💸 Very affordable
  • 🏛️ Architecture
  • ☺️ Relaxing
  • 🛍️ Shopping

The Bad

  • 🗑️ Pollution
  • 🌧️ Rains a lot
  • 🤼 Crowded
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Low English proficiency

Living costs

Estimated Monthly Living Cost
Chengdu
Cheapest () Costliest ()
China
11%
cheaper than China median
52nd
Cheapest out of 291 RoamRank places
  • Chengdu is the 3rd cheapest place (out of 8) to live in China
  • The average salary in Chengdu is
  • It's about 111% cheaper to live in Chengdu than it is Athens
  • You can expect to spend around $785.07 per month living here

Work

Internet
60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data
PAYG Sim Card
30 Day / Unlimited Data
--
Airalo eSim
Global eSims for Instant Connectivity
Buy
Coffee
Regular (8-10oz)
Co-Working Space
Per Month
--

Living

Apartment (1 bed)
Median Rent Per Month
Apartment (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
--
Airbnb (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
--
Utilities
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage Collection Per Month
Water
0.33 liter bottle

Leisure

Meal
Cheap Restaurant
Meal for 2
Mid Range Restaurant
Local Beer
330ml Bottle
Cocktail
Standard Measure
--
Bottle of Wine
Mid range
Gym Membership
Per Month
Cigarettes
20 pack
Cinema
Admission Per Person
  • Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
  • Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 3rd Jun 2026

Safety

safe

Chengdu is generally safe for digital nomads, with low crime rates and a friendly local culture, though it's advisable to stay aware of your surroundings.

Internet speed

Poor

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Time difference

Chengdu

Places near Chengdu

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