Name: Beijing
Address: Beijing, China

Beijing, China's capital, offers expat families a unique blend of ancient culture and modern development. The city hosts numerous high-quality international schools and universities, making it attractive for families prioritizing education. However, air quality remains a significant concern, with heavy pollution during winter months. The cost of living is moderate for a major Asian capital, though housing in desirable expat areas can be expensive. Beijing's extensive subway system provides efficient transportation, and the city offers rich cultural experiences from the Forbidden City to modern art districts. Learning Mandarin is beneficial for daily life, though expat communities are well-established. Healthcare quality varies significantly between international and local facilities.

💰 Cost of Living

Monthly family budget estimates (USD)

At a Glance

$1,800

Avg. rent /mo

$5.00

Budget meal

$40

Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)

Dining & Drinks

Cappuccino$4.50

Domestic beer$1.20

Imported beer$3.50

Water (1.5L)$0.60

Groceries

Loaf of bread$1.40

Milk (1L)$1.80

Dozen eggs$1.70

Chicken (1 kg)$4.20

Transport

Taxi flag-drop$1.00

Taxi per km$0.25

Monthly transit pass$22

Gasoline (per liter)$1.15

Monthly Bills

Internet$18 /mo

Utilities (avg.)$90 /mo

Gym membership$55 /mo

Domestic help$550 /mo

Preschool / nursery$850 /mo

Comfortable

Local-style 2-bedroom apartment in Wangjing or望京, mix of local street food and home cooking, subway commute, mid-tier international school. A solid lifestyle that leverages local options.

$5,800/mo

Rent$1,800

Groceries$600

Lifestyle & leisure$350

Transport$100

Utilities$120

Dining out$400

Healthcare$300

School fees (per child)$2,000

Domestic help$130

Established

Modern 3-bedroom apartment in Chaoyang or Shunyi, regular restaurant dining, taxi and subway mix, established international school (WAB, BCIS), gym membership, weekend trips to the Great Wall and beyond.

$11,500/mo

Rent$3,200

Groceries$1,000

Lifestyle & leisure$800

Transport$350

Utilities$180

Dining out$800

Healthcare$500

School fees (per child)$3,500

Domestic help$1,170

Premium

Luxury villa or serviced apartment in Shunyi or CBD, premium international school (ISB, Dulwich), private driver, fine dining at Sanlitun and Guomao, VIP healthcare, country club, regular international travel.

$21,000/mo

Rent$6,000

Groceries$1,500

Lifestyle & leisure$2,400

Transport$900

Utilities$300

Dining out$1,500

Healthcare$900

School fees (per child)$5,000

Domestic help$2,500

Estimates for a family of four in central Beijing. Rent assumes a 2-3 bedroom apartment; groceries mix wet markets, local supermarkets, and imported goods stores (Jenny Lou, April Gourmet). School fees reflect a single child at a mid-tier international school. Beijing is expensive by Chinese standards, especially for expats who rely on imported goods and international schools. Domestic help is affordable relative to Western cities. All figures in USD at approximately 1 USD = 7.2 CNY.

🌬️ Air Quality

Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)

158

Jan

140

Feb

115

Mar

105

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

130

Nov

165

Dec

Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)

Yearly average AQI is 105. Best air quality May–Oct (best: Jul at 62). Jan–Dec air quality worsens due to heat, humidity, and dust (peak: Dec at 165). Families with children who have asthma or respiratory conditions should plan indoor activities during summer months.