Thinking about joining an au pair program in China? Before packing your bags, you’re probably wondering: What’s the average cost of living in China as an au pair? The good news is that most major living expenses—like room and board, meals, and even Mandarin classes—are fully covered by your Chinese host family. This means you don’t have to worry about renting a room, buying groceries daily, or budgeting for utilities, which is a major financial relief compared to being an expat or international student.
However, you’ll still need to plan for personal expenses such as:
Commuting and weekend travel
Shopping for clothes and toiletries
Cell phone plans and mobile data
Cafés, entertainment, and social activities
If you’re hoping to save money, avoid student loans, or simply cut back on unnecessary spending, the au pair lifestyle offers a great money-saving alternative to studying abroad. In this complete guide, we’ll break down the real cost of living in China, compare it to countries like Australia, and answer essential questions like:
Is China expensive to live in for foreigners?
How much pocket money do au pairs receive per year?
What are the cheapest ways to live well in China without overspending?
Let’s dive in and discover how to live comfortably in China on a budget—without compromising the adventure.
How much money do you need to live well in China?
The cost of living in China varies greatly depending on your city, lifestyle, and spending habits. Big cities like Shanghai, Beijing, or Shenzhen tend to be more expensive due to higher prices for groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Meanwhile, second-tier cities such as Chengdu, Nanjing, or Kunming offer a much lower average cost of living, making them ideal for au pairs on a tighter budget.
Fortunately, when you join an au pair program in China, your host family covers most essential expenses, including:
Room and board (housing + meals)
Utilities
Chinese language classes
Sometimes local transport passes or airport pickup
This allows you to cut back on major living expenses that international students or expats typically face, like renting, groceries, or taking out student loans.
The only things you need to include in your monthly budgeting are:
🎉 Social outings (restaurants, karaoke, cafés, concerts)
🚄 Weekend trips, short travels, and sightseeing
🚇 Public transportation like metro, buses, or Didi (China’s Uber)
📱 Cell phone SIM card, mobile data, and Chinese apps
🛍️ Personal spending: toiletries, clothes, souvenirs, or beauty products
👉 In a smaller or mid-sized Chinese city, $200 USD per month is often enough to cover your personal expenses and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
👉 In larger cities like Shanghai or Beijing, you might want to plan for $400 to $500 USD per month, especially if you eat out frequently or shop for imported goods.
💡 Pro tip: Use budgeting tools or apps to track your spending and look for money-saving opportunities, such as Meituan discounts or local student deals.
Compared to the high cost of living in Western countries, China offers a much more affordable lifestyle—making it a great option for young people looking to save money and gain international experience without the burden of high rent or financial stress.
Is China expensive to live in?
Not at all. In fact, China is widely considered one of the cheapest countries to live in—especially for au pairs, international students, and anyone looking for a budget-friendly lifestyle abroad. Even in some of the most expensive Chinese cities like Shanghai or Beijing, the overall cost of living in China remains significantly lower than in places like the United States, Australia, Canada, or the UK.
Whether you’re coming from a country where student loans and high rent are the norm, or you’re simply trying to cut back on expenses and avoid burning through your savings, living in China can be a real personal finance win.
Here’s a breakdown of typical daily living costs in China:
🥡 Local restaurant meal: ¥15–35 RMB (≈ $2–$5 USD)
☕ Coffee from a local café or chain: ¥9–35 RMB (≈ $1–$5 USD)
🚇 Subway or bus ride: ¥2–6 RMB (≈ $0.20–$0.80 USD)
🏥 Doctor visit (no insurance): ¥100–300 RMB (≈ $15–$40 USD)
🧴 Shampoo, soap, or basic cosmetics: ¥20–50 RMB (≈ $3–$7 USD)
🛒 Groceries (weekly basics): ¥100–150 RMB (≈ $15–$20 USD)
💡 These costs make budgeting in China very manageable—even on a small stipend. And remember: as an au pair, your housing, meals, and Mandarin lessons are usually included for free as part of your room and board agreement with your host family. That instantly eliminates the biggest financial stressors: renting, food shopping, and tuition.
If you were studying abroad or working abroad as an expat, you might be spending thousands per month just to cover rent, groceries, and bills. But as an au pair in China, your out-of-pocket spending is minimal, which gives you the freedom to explore, save, or enjoy extra activities.
✅ Compared to other cultural exchange destinations, China is a top choice for money-saving and low living expenses, while still offering rich cultural immersion and valuable language-learning opportunities.
What is the cost of living in China compared to Australia?
If you’re deciding between becoming an au pair in China or participating in a program in Australia, it’s essential to compare the average cost of living. When it comes to affordability, China is significantly cheaper than Australia—often by 40% to 60%, depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.
Below is a direct comparison of common living expenses in both countries for a mid-size Chinese city vs. a major Australian city like Sydney or Melbourne:
| Expense | China (Mid-size city) | Australia (Sydney/Melbourne) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom apt) | ~$200 USD / Free as An au Pair (with host) | $1,000+ AUD/month |
| Local restaurant meal | ~$3 USD | ~$15 AUD |
| Monthly public transport | ~$20 USD | ~$120 AUD |
| Phone/Data plan | ~$5–10 USD | ~$30 AUD |
As you can see, living in China as an au pair offers major financial advantages. With room and board covered by your host family, you save hundreds of dollars per month on rent, food, and utilities—expenses that quickly add up in countries like Australia.
💡 In Australia, most au pairs or international students need to budget for groceries, pay rent, and handle personal bills independently. This can lead to debt or the need to borrow money, especially when factoring in student loans or rising housing costs.
In contrast, China provides a money-saving lifestyle that makes it easier to:
Stick to your monthly budget
Avoid unnecessary expenses
Save money for travel or hobbies
Live well without financial stress
If your goal is to enjoy a cultural exchange program while keeping costs low, China is one of the cheapest and most rewarding destinations available.
How much does a 3-bedroom house cost in China?
Even though au pairs in China don’t pay rent—since accommodation is provided by the host family—many people still wonder about the cost of housing in China. Whether you’re curious about the local economy or planning to stay long-term after your au pair program in China, it’s helpful to understand the real estate landscape.
💡 Is housing expensive in China?
The answer depends entirely on the city size, neighborhood, and whether the building is new or old. In major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, or Shenzhen, real estate prices can be quite high, especially in central districts. For example:
🏙️ In top-tier cities, a 3-bedroom apartment in a modern building may cost anywhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000 USD.
🏘️ In smaller or second-tier cities like Chengdu, Nanning, or Kunming, the same type of apartment may cost as low as $150,000 to $400,000 USD.
📉 Is rent in China affordable?
Yes. Compared to Western countries, rental prices in China are much lower. Even in central Shanghai, you can rent a decent room in a shared apartment for $300–$600 USD/month. In smaller cities, full apartments can cost as little as $150–$300 USD/month.
However, as an au pair, you won’t have to worry about rent at all. Your Chinese host family provides free housing, often in a private room within the family home or apartment. This is a major advantage of the au pair program in China, making your overall cost of living in China even lower.
How much pocket money do au pairs receive in China?
One of the most common questions asked by future au pairs is:
How much pocket money do au pairs receive in China?
In most au pair programs in China, participants receive a monthly stipend of ¥1,500 to ¥2,000 RMB, which is roughly $130 to $200 USD. While this may seem modest compared to salaries in Western countries, it’s important to remember that:
💡 Your daily living expenses are already covered by your host family
💡 You don’t have to pay rent, food, or utilities
💡 In many cases, even Mandarin classes and local transportation are included
Here’s what most au pairs in China can expect to receive as part of their overall package:
🛏️ Free private accommodation (your own room in the family’s home)
🍚 Three meals a day, often shared with the host family
🏫 Free Chinese language lessons, either at a local school or with a tutor
🛫 Occasional bonuses, such as flight reimbursements, weekend trips, or extra gifts
Even though your pocket money might not seem high, your actual cost of living in China as an au pair is close to zero. This means you can easily afford local transportation, eating out, or going on weekend adventures—and even save some money each month.
Many au pairs use their pocket money to:
Explore nearby cities by high-speed train
Take part in cultural activities and events
Buy gifts or souvenirs for friends and family
Learn new skills or hobbies during their stay
👉 In the end, the au pair experience in China is not just affordable—it’s a great way to live abroad with minimal expenses while gaining real cultural and language immersion.
Tips to Save Money as an Au Pair in China
Even though the cost of living in China for au pairs is already very low—thanks to free accommodation, meals, and classes—you might still want to make the most of your monthly pocket money. Whether you want to travel, shop, or just enjoy your time abroad without overspending, there are plenty of easy ways to live cheaply in China while enjoying a rich cultural experience.
Here are 5 practical tips to help you save money as an au pair in China:
🥢 Eat Local, Not Western
Imported food and international restaurants can be expensive in big cities. Instead, eat where locals eat:
Street food and family-run restaurants are not only delicious, but cost just ¥10–¥25 RMB ($1.50–$3.50 USD) per meal.
University cafeterias and small noodle shops offer huge portions at super low prices.
Eating local is one of the easiest ways to reduce your daily cost of living in China—and it’s a great way to explore new dishes!
🚲 Use Metro or Shared Bikes Instead of Taxis
Transportation in China is cheap, but it can get expensive if you rely on taxis or ride-hailing apps every day.
Metro rides cost as little as ¥2–¥6 RMB ($0.20–$0.80 USD).
Shared bike apps like HelloBike or Meituan Bike let you ride for pennies.
For au pairs living in cities like Beijing, Chengdu, or Guangzhou, these options are fast, reliable, and budget-friendly.
📱 Use Chinese Apps to Find Discounts
China’s super apps are your best friend. Download and use:
Meituan and Dianping to get discounts on restaurants, movie tickets, salons, gyms, and more.
Pinduoduo and Taobao for ultra-cheap shopping.
Look out for group-buy deals, flash sales, and coupons—they’re everywhere!
💡 Pro tip: Always check Meituan before going out—you’ll be surprised how many activities and services are discounted!
🏦 Avoid Unnecessary Currency Conversions
Exchanging cash or using foreign cards often includes hidden fees. Instead:
Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay with a local bank card (your host family or agency can help).
These apps are accepted almost everywhere in China, from street vendors to taxis.
This keeps your spending smooth, fast, and fee-free.
📚 Take Advantage of Free Activities
Living in China doesn’t mean staying in every weekend. There are tons of free or low-cost cultural activities:
Explore temples, parks, riversides, and museums (many have free entry days).
Join local language exchange meetups to make friends and practice Mandarin.
Look for city-sponsored festivals, art shows, or public events—there’s always something happening!
💡 With just a few smart habits, you can enjoy life in China on a small budget, without missing out on the culture, fun, and travel opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Is China a budget-friendly destination for au pairs?
Yes—absolutely. Becoming an au pair in China is one of the cheapest and most rewarding ways to live abroad, especially for young people on a tight budget. With room and board fully covered, and no need to pay for rent, groceries, or utilities, your average cost of living in China per month is extremely low.
Unlike international students or expats who often take on student loans or worry about monthly rent, au pairs receive free housing, meals, child care responsibilities in exchange for cultural immersion, and sometimes even Chinese language classes at no cost.
Your only expenses will likely be:
Cell phone plans
Leisure and entertainment
Local transportation or weekend travel
Occasional personal items or souvenirs
That means you can save money, avoid debt, and gain experience abroad without needing a big paycheck. It’s also a great money-saving alternative to studying abroad or other expensive exchange programs.
For anyone looking for a budget-friendly year abroad, whether to explore Asia, improve their Mandarin, or gain babysitting and childcare experience, the au pair program in China offers incredible value.
If you’re looking for ways to save money while experiencing a new culture, this is one of the smartest international programs available today.