Is China Still Cheap To Live In ? The Honest Cost Of Living In China

I've been in eight months ago now. So I've been in eight months ago now. So I've been in China for eight months. China for eight months. China for eight months. I grew up in China. Um yeah, so I know I grew up in China. Um yeah, so I know I grew up in China. Um yeah, so I know both worlds, China and Australia. And I both worlds, China and Australia. And I both worlds, China and Australia. And I will compare the cost of living in China will compare the cost of living in China will compare the cost of living in China and Australia. and Australia. and

Australia. Australia is getting more expensive Australia is getting more expensive Australia is getting more expensive these days anyway. And China is getting these days anyway. And China is getting these days anyway. And China is getting there too. Compared with let's say uh there too. Compared with let's say uh there too. Compared with let's say uh when I left when I left when I left it's like at least five times more the it's like at least five times more the it's like at least five times more the price. Yeah, China isn't that cheap price. Yeah, China

isn't that cheap price. Yeah, China isn't that cheap anymore but compared with the western anymore but compared with the western anymore but compared with the western world China is still world China is still world China is still okay. okay. okay. Well, the stats say the average wage is Well, the stats say the average wage is Well, the stats say the average wage is around 10,000 yen a month. I I'm like, around 10,000 yen a month. I I'm like, around 10,000 yen a month. I I'm like, "No, it's probably not true." Cuz "No, it's probably not true." Cuz "No,

it's probably not true." Cuz whatever I see it, it's around 5,000 a whatever I see it, it's around 5,000 a whatever I see it, it's around 5,000 a month. month. month. So, yeah, I'm I'm going to go based on So, yeah, I'm I'm going to go based on So, yeah, I'm I'm going to go based on 5,000 a month to show you what kind of 5,000 a month to show you what kind of 5,000 a month to show you what kind of life quality life is here. life quality life is here. life quality life is here. All right. I'm going to go to get the All right. I'm going to go to get the

All right. I'm going to go to get the breakfast first. I usually go down this breakfast first. I usually go down this breakfast first. I usually go down this way. Yeah, it looks slummy here and it Yeah, it looks slummy here and it Yeah, it looks slummy here and it probably is a slum. probably is a slum. probably is a slum. People just park anywhere on the side of People just park anywhere on the side of People just park anywhere on the side of the road. There's pretty much no traffic the road. There's pretty much no traffic the road. There's pretty much

no traffic rules here and it gets jammed all the rules here and it gets jammed all the rules here and it gets jammed all the time. >> Seeing mopeds on >> Seeing mopeds on >> Seeing mopeds on both side of the road. I wouldn't say both side of the road. I wouldn't say both side of the road. I wouldn't say this is a road. This is just like an this is a road. This is just like an this is a road. This is just like an alleyway. alleyway. alleyway. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. >> Uh, this is the place I'm going to get >> Uh,

this is the place I'm going to get >> Uh, this is the place I'm going to get my breakfast. I'm going to park my mopet my breakfast. I'm going to park my mopet my breakfast. I'm going to park my mopet somewhere first. It's a bit further out somewhere first. It's a bit further out somewhere first. It's a bit further out here. >> Okay. And there's an abandoned building >> Okay. And there's an abandoned building >> Okay. And there's an abandoned building behind me, too. People might get shocked behind me, too. People might get shocked

behind me, too. People might get shocked seeing this, but let me tell you, seeing this, but let me tell you, seeing this, but let me tell you, probably it was way worse maybe 10 years probably it was way worse maybe 10 years probably it was way worse maybe 10 years ago. If you actually visited China 10 ago. If you actually visited China 10 ago. If you actually visited China 10 years ago, you'll find out. Oh, this is years ago, you'll find out. Oh, this is years ago, you'll find out. Oh, this is a lot better. That's the wet market. I a lot better. That's

the wet market. I a lot better. That's the wet market. I got it. Um, this is a breakfast shop got it. Um, this is a breakfast shop got it. Um, this is a breakfast shop inside a wet market. All right. People inside a wet market. All right. People inside a wet market. All right. People getting in front of the butcher getting in front of the butcher getting in front of the butcher everything. everything. everything. And that's a fan they have. I'm going to sit down here, wait for my I'm going to sit down here, wait for my I'm going to sit down here, wait

for my food. food. food. I ordered a pino and it's they call it I ordered a pino and it's they call it I ordered a pino and it's they call it oneonong soup. It's like a it's a very oneonong soup. It's like a it's a very oneonong soup. It's like a it's a very typical local breakfast here. typical local breakfast here. typical local breakfast here. They have peanut sauce in here. Oh wow, They have peanut sauce in here. Oh wow, They have peanut sauce in here. Oh wow, that's so loud. that's so loud. that's so loud. They have peanut sauce in here. So I They

have peanut sauce in here. So I They have peanut sauce in here. So I need to actually stir it first. need to actually stir it first. need to actually stir it first. Stir it through so it doesn't go lumpy. Stir it through so it doesn't go lumpy. Stir it through so it doesn't go lumpy. Well, it gets so loud here on the other Well, it gets so loud here on the other Well, it gets so loud here on the other side. That's that's a street, right? You side. That's that's a street, right? You side. That's that's a street, right? You got cars, vans, you know, almost

broken got cars, vans, you know, almost broken got cars, vans, you know, almost broken down mopeds everywhere. So, it's so loud down mopeds everywhere. So, it's so loud down mopeds everywhere. So, it's so loud over that side. And this side is people over that side. And this side is people over that side. And this side is people hustling. They're getting food. hustling. They're getting food. hustling. They're getting food. And that's my wantton soup here. And that's my wantton soup here. And that's my wantton soup here. I got what? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 nine. I

got I got what? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 nine. I got I got what? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 nine. I got nine of these. nine of these. nine of these. Yeah, I counted again. Nice. Yeah, I counted again. Nice. Yeah, I counted again. Nice. They are five yen each. So, it's 10 10 y They are five yen each. So, it's 10 10 y They are five yen each. So, it's 10 10 y in total. That's around what? a dollar in total. That's around what? a dollar in total. That's around what? a dollar $150 US or maybe $250 Australian $150 US or maybe $250 Australian $150 US or maybe $250 Australian

dollars. >> Want very hot, so I'm going to blow a >> Want very hot, so I'm going to blow a >> Want very hot, so I'm going to blow a bit. Okay. I usually add a vinegar in here. Okay. I usually add a vinegar in here. Okay. I usually add a vinegar in here. Black vinegar. Oh no, that's a soy sauce. >> Okay, this is a mini gun. And this is the price. I'm going to go to the other side price. I'm going to go to the other side price. I'm going to go to the other side of the wet market to get some Chinese of the wet market to get some

Chinese of the wet market to get some Chinese high street for my kids. It's over that high street for my kids. It's over that high street for my kids. It's over that side. >> This is that one. I'm getting $10 worth >> This is that one. I'm getting $10 worth >> This is that one. I'm getting $10 worth of that pancake right next to the white of that pancake right next to the white of that pancake right next to the white fish stores. Fish here and there. fish stores. Fish here and there. fish stores. Fish here and there. This side is a

seafood. This is a cooked This side is a seafood. This is a cooked This side is a seafood. This is a cooked food. It's like a deli and it's a raw food. It's like a deli and it's a raw food. It's like a deli and it's a raw fish right next to each other. And it's fish right next to each other. And it's fish right next to each other. And it's a lot cheaper to get things in there. a lot cheaper to get things in there. a lot cheaper to get things in there. But I usually avoid it because so But I usually avoid it because so But I usually avoid it because so

crowded. A lot of older people think crowded. A lot of older people think crowded. A lot of older people think they got a right to actually jump the they got a right to actually jump the they got a right to actually jump the queue. It happened to me once. He tried queue. It happened to me once. He tried queue. It happened to me once. He tried to jump back and say, "Hey, there's a to jump back and say, "Hey, there's a to jump back and say, "Hey, there's a big line here." Then he got mad at me, big line here." Then he got mad at me, big line here." Then he

got mad at me, almost got into an argument, right? I almost got into an argument, right? I almost got into an argument, right? I also got a parcel to collect. I got this also got a parcel to collect. I got this also got a parcel to collect. I got this one here. I've been here for 8 months. one here. I've been here for 8 months. one here. I've been here for 8 months. And this is the first pillar I got after And this is the first pillar I got after And this is the first pillar I got after 8 months. Getting parcel is super easy. 8 months. Getting parcel is

super easy. 8 months. Getting parcel is super easy. As you can see, there's an aisle number, As you can see, there's an aisle number, As you can see, there's an aisle number, shelf number, and this is the number on shelf number, and this is the number on shelf number, and this is the number on the package. All you have to do is get the package. All you have to do is get the package. All you have to do is get in there and find your parcel in there. Find my aisle Find my aisle Find my aisle number nine right here. Aisle seven number nine right here. Aisle

seven number nine right here. Aisle seven something or shelf seven. something or shelf seven. something or shelf seven. I just found it. I have to just scan on I just found it. I have to just scan on I just found it. I have to just scan on it. it. it. Put on it and scan it. Put on it and scan it. Put on it and scan it. >> Let's see. >> Let's see. >> Let's see. Wow. It's actually quite heavy. I pay Wow. It's actually quite heavy. I pay Wow. It's actually quite heavy. I pay around 780 for this. So that's around around 780 for this. So

that's around around 780 for this. So that's around what? Um one year solar. It's not bad. I what? Um one year solar. It's not bad. I what? Um one year solar. It's not bad. I want to take a rubbish because I I was want to take a rubbish because I I was want to take a rubbish because I I was just leaving the rubbish thing here. just leaving the rubbish thing here. just leaving the rubbish thing here. Wow, this is full. See the rubbish Wow, this is full. See the rubbish Wow, this is full. See the rubbish After seeing what I ate and where I went After

seeing what I ate and where I went After seeing what I ate and where I went and the condition of the restaurant, and the condition of the restaurant, and the condition of the restaurant, would you guys eat there? I mean I mean would you guys eat there? I mean I mean would you guys eat there? I mean I mean you get what you pay for really. It's you get what you pay for really. It's you get what you pay for really. It's cheap enough. So the um hygiene isn't cheap enough. So the um hygiene isn't cheap enough. So the um hygiene isn't the best over there, but

it's a quite the best over there, but it's a quite the best over there, but it's a quite common thing here in China. common thing here in China. common thing here in China. When it's a common thing, people stop When it's a common thing, people stop When it's a common thing, people stop questioning Okay, lunch time. I'm going to eat Okay, lunch time. I'm going to eat Okay, lunch time. I'm going to eat burger and um instant noodle for lunch. burger and um instant noodle for lunch. burger and um instant noodle for lunch. So, this is a beef patty So, this is

a beef patty So, this is a beef patty or pickled vegetable or pickled vegetable or pickled vegetable buns and lettuce. I got everything buns and lettuce. I got everything buns and lettuce. I got everything online. So, the instant noodles are online. So, the instant noodles are online. So, the instant noodles are around 10. So, a third of that is about around 10. So, a third of that is about around 10. So, a third of that is about 330 plus this almost 20 20 y for the two 330 plus this almost 20 20 y for the two 330 plus this almost 20 20 y for the two

beef patties. beef patties. beef patties. And buns buns is like six. And buns buns is like six. And buns buns is like six. I did a calculation quickly. It's around I did a calculation quickly. It's around I did a calculation quickly. It's around 27 in total. So that's around $350 US. 27 in total. So that's around $350 US. 27 in total. So that's around $350 US. Um 7 27 Um 7 27 Um 7 27 around5 Australian dollars. Yeah, it around5 Australian dollars. Yeah, it around5 Australian dollars. Yeah, it cost me usually between 25 and 30 for cost me usually between

25 and 30 for cost me usually between 25 and 30 for three people. three people. three people. Cook pantry first and probably let it Cook pantry first and probably let it Cook pantry first and probably let it heat up to 600° heat up to 600° heat up to 600° and go um reduce the heat to maybe 300. and go um reduce the heat to maybe 300. and go um reduce the heat to maybe 300. This is frozen patty. This is frozen patty. This is frozen patty. So, probably spend a bit more time So, probably spend a bit more time So, probably spend a bit more time cooking

this one. Go down to 400. Go down to 400. Go down to 400. your chopstick soup. I'm going to cook it into noodle in the I'm going to cook it into noodle in the I'm going to cook it into noodle in the meantime. Y patty out. Let's put our bands in there. Good size. So, the patty actually looks juicy. Then put a patty on top. Um, we're going to get our lettuce. Mash the letter that is smarter sauce. It's pickle cabbage. This is a pickle cabbage. This is a pickle cabbage. This is a pickle cabbage. Just like this. Three pieces of lettuce. No, actually Three

pieces of lettuce. No, actually Three pieces of lettuce. No, actually wait. I to cut in half. Then I'm put lettuce on top. There you go. That's it. Bag of half bag There you go. That's it. Bag of half bag There you go. That's it. Bag of half bag each. And I'll separate the noodle as each. And I'll separate the noodle as each. And I'll separate the noodle as well. well. well. Should be ready. I think the girls are online that you I think the girls are online that you I think the girls are online that you put um cheese into the instant noodle. I put um

cheese into the instant noodle. I put um cheese into the instant noodle. I think I'm going to put mozzarella cheese think I'm going to put mozzarella cheese think I'm going to put mozzarella cheese on top. on top. on top. I got a cheese grater. I got a cheese grater. I got a cheese grater. Um, this side. This side. No. Which way? No. Which way? No. Which way? Should I use it? This way. This side. Should I use it? This way. This side. Should I use it? This way. This side. Hey. Hey. Hey. Sorry. Like that. Okay. A bit of cheese on top. Okay. A bit of cheese

on top. Okay. A bit of cheese on top. There you go. That's our lunch. Uh, it's There you go. That's our lunch. Uh, it's There you go. That's our lunch. Uh, it's not a typical Chinese lunch, but um I not a typical Chinese lunch, but um I not a typical Chinese lunch, but um I only spent 27 yen. only spent 27 yen. only spent 27 yen. If I cook any Chinese meal, it'll be the If I cook any Chinese meal, it'll be the If I cook any Chinese meal, it'll be the same price or similar price. So, there only a few restaurants here. So, there only a few restaurants

here. So, there only a few restaurants here. There's like Chinese burger and Chinese There's like Chinese burger and Chinese There's like Chinese burger and Chinese food. food. food. Um, but then I feel like the beef Um, but then I feel like the beef Um, but then I feel like the beef noodle. So, I'm going to get this today. noodle. So, I'm going to get this today. noodle. So, I'm going to get this today. This is a straight dog. This is a straight dog. This is a straight dog. Okay. This is a It's got a taste tasty Okay. This is a It's got a taste tasty

Okay. This is a It's got a taste tasty burger. It's Chinese burger. burger. It's Chinese burger. burger. It's Chinese burger. I wanted to get beef noodle, but it was I wanted to get beef noodle, but it was I wanted to get beef noodle, but it was kind of expensive. It was like 23 or kind of expensive. It was like 23 or kind of expensive. It was like 23 or something for for a bowl of noodle. So, something for for a bowl of noodle. So, something for for a bowl of noodle. So, I'm going to get this burger. So, they I'm going to get this burger. So, they I'm

going to get this burger. So, they get get get it's all Chinese style burger. it's all Chinese style burger. it's all Chinese style burger. So, there's a funny thing about Chinese So, there's a funny thing about Chinese So, there's a funny thing about Chinese food delivery, right? It says here it food delivery, right? It says here it food delivery, right? It says here it gets delivered for 38. gets delivered for 38. gets delivered for 38. Like, if I want to go pick up myself, Like, if I want to go pick up myself, Like, if I want to go pick up myself,

it's 70. It's 78. And what I usually do is that I ordered And what I usually do is that I ordered And what I usually do is that I ordered a delivery order and I'll tell the a delivery order and I'll tell the a delivery order and I'll tell the delivery rider that I'm going to come to delivery rider that I'm going to come to delivery rider that I'm going to come to the store and pick out myself. the store and pick out myself. the store and pick out myself. So yeah, it's cheaper for me to do that. So yeah, it's cheaper for me to do that. So yeah, it's

cheaper for me to do that. That way I like get a food and he makes That way I like get a food and he makes That way I like get a food and he makes the money. the money. the money. >> He doesn't have to deliver the order to >> He doesn't have to deliver the order to >> He doesn't have to deliver the order to my apartment, my apartment, my apartment, but he still gets paid for this order. but he still gets paid for this order. but he still gets paid for this order. They sent him the message says I'm going They sent him the message says

I'm going They sent him the message says I'm going to pick up myself and he gave me the to pick up myself and he gave me the to pick up myself and he gave me the code code code so I can pick up myself and he makes the so I can pick up myself and he makes the so I can pick up myself and he makes the money and I get a cheap food. money and I get a cheap food. money and I get a cheap food. >> Okay, this is my order 43. So this is my >> Okay, this is my order 43. So this is my >> Okay, this is my order 43. So this is my Chinese burger. It's

tiny. Well, it's so flat. It's got Well, it's so flat. It's got Well, it's so flat. It's got uh uh uh it is like a Chinese bread. Very thin. it is like a Chinese bread. Very thin. it is like a Chinese bread. Very thin. And it's got chicken in there And it's got chicken in there And it's got chicken in there and chips. It slides out. >> The Coke. >> The Coke. >> The Coke. It looks nothing large when it's shelled It looks nothing large when it's shelled It looks nothing large when it's shelled on a brick is tiny. is tiny. is tiny.

>> Yeah. Let me get a try though. >> Oh, I prefer this Chinese bun. This really fresh though. really fresh though. really fresh though. Everything here is so fresh. It's so Everything here is so fresh. It's so Everything here is so fresh. It's so juicy and skin's crunchy. juicy and skin's crunchy. juicy and skin's crunchy. But I definitely prefer this bread. And But I definitely prefer this bread. And But I definitely prefer this bread. And there's a lemon in my Coke. This is a there's a lemon in my Coke. This is a there's a lemon in my Coke.

This is a wee. wee. wee. Let's try a lemon Coke. It's actually surprisingly refreshing. It's actually surprisingly refreshing. It's actually surprisingly refreshing. My chips. It feels so different going on in the It feels so different going on in the It feels so different going on in the night time here. Everything is so dark. It's almost 9:00. I'm a bit hungry. So, It's almost 9:00. I'm a bit hungry. So, It's almost 9:00. I'm a bit hungry. So, I'm going to go down to get some street I'm going to go down to get some street I'm going to go down to get

some street food. So this is 12 yen for my late night So this is 12 yen for my late night So this is 12 yen for my late night snack. snack. snack. I'm going to get stir fry rice noodle I'm going to get stir fry rice noodle I'm going to get stir fry rice noodle and this is all the street food around and this is all the street food around and this is all the street food around my area. my area. my area. I got a barbecue. I got a barbecue. I got a barbecue. There's like a brace deli food. There's like a brace deli food. There's like a brace deli food. They

got a Chinese pancake. I mean, They got a Chinese pancake. I mean, They got a Chinese pancake. I mean, there's a lot of Chinese pancake there's a lot of Chinese pancake there's a lot of Chinese pancake here and there. It's beef noodle. This here and there. It's beef noodle. This here and there. It's beef noodle. This is the barbecue. is the barbecue. is the barbecue. The deliver riders finished their work. The deliver riders finished their work. The deliver riders finished their work. Now they're having their late night Now they're having their late

night Now they're having their late night snack as well. snack as well. snack as well. It's a It's a It's a fancy cere fancy cere fancy cere on the mail pad. My s is going to be very soon. All right. Got my saffron. All right. Got my saffron. All right. Got my saffron. Well, actually looks okay. Smells really Well, actually looks okay. Smells really Well, actually looks okay. Smells really good. Oh, I only asked for a little bit spicy. Oh, I only asked for a little bit spicy. Oh, I only asked for a little bit spicy. Now that's actually very spicy. So in

Now that's actually very spicy. So in Now that's actually very spicy. So in China you need to be very careful when China you need to be very careful when China you need to be very careful when you ask for a little spicy. Sometimes you ask for a little spicy. Sometimes you ask for a little spicy. Sometimes they add so much spicy now. they add so much spicy now. they add so much spicy now. H my camera died last night. But anyway, H my camera died last night. But anyway, H my camera died last night. But anyway, this is how much I spend whole day. I this is

how much I spend whole day. I this is how much I spend whole day. I think it's around 95 yen. So that's less think it's around 95 yen. So that's less think it's around 95 yen. So that's less than 14 American dollars and 19 than 14 American dollars and 19 than 14 American dollars and 19 Australian dollars. However, that's our Australian dollars. However, that's our Australian dollars. However, that's our um our average wage is around 5,000 a um our average wage is around 5,000 a um our average wage is around 5,000 a month. Um it is it is probably cheap if

month. Um it is it is probably cheap if month. Um it is it is probably cheap if you convert it to American dollars if you convert it to American dollars if you convert it to American dollars if you earn um American wage or Australian you earn um American wage or Australian you earn um American wage or Australian wage, right? But I don't think that's wage, right? But I don't think that's wage, right? But I don't think that's cheap for Chinese people, for the local cheap for Chinese people, for the local cheap for Chinese people, for the local people

people people cuz the Yeah, it's 5,000 yen a month and cuz the Yeah, it's 5,000 yen a month and cuz the Yeah, it's 5,000 yen a month and you need to spend on other things. So you need to spend on other things. So you need to spend on other things. So the cost of living here, it's not as as the cost of living here, it's not as as the cost of living here, it's not as as cheap as other people say online. What cheap as other people say online. What cheap as other people say online. What do you guys think? I haven't calculated do you guys think? I haven't

calculated do you guys think? I haven't calculated all the rent, bills, and other things. all the rent, bills, and other things. all the rent, bills, and other things. You need to buy clothes and other You need to buy clothes and other You need to buy clothes and other things, too. So 5,000 yen a month isn't things, too. So 5,000 yen a month isn't things, too. So 5,000 yen a month isn't is definitely not enough if you want to is definitely not enough if you want to is definitely not enough if you want to raise kids here or even if you got like raise kids

here or even if you got like raise kids here or even if you got like what 10,000 a month both people right what 10,000 a month both people right what 10,000 a month both people right still not enough still not enough still not enough a lot of Chinese people will pay for um a lot of Chinese people will pay for um a lot of Chinese people will pay for um extra lessons right for their for extra lessons right for their for extra lessons right for their for school. So there's a lot of money school. So there's a lot of money school. So there's a lot of money

there's a lot of things you need to there's a lot of things you need to there's a lot of things you need to spend here in China. spend here in China. spend here in China. What do you guys think? Would you rather What do you guys think? Would you rather What do you guys think? Would you rather stay in a western world, pay more and stay in a western world, pay more and stay in a western world, pay more and earn more, or would you rather come to