Cost of Living in Shanghai

There have been requests from people wanting to know cost of living in Shanghai, so they will know what to negotiate in their package. I did not do this post, since I cannot keep updating it with time, so it would not be current. I will put down few items, but see the date of my post here, so that you know the relevance to the time of your posting. More up- to- date information, go to Shanghaiexpat.com .. the link is on the bottom right hand side of my blog..

Conversion Rate of RMB to Rupee as at June 2015 - 1 rmb is around 10 rupees. google the exact rate for latest .


So, for basics : Housing - the rates vary greatly here, from 5000 rmb to 25,000 rmb for a two bedroom flat of 150 to 160 sq.m ( convert the rmb into rupees using the current dollar rate, keeps fluctating). Depending on the location, amenities, and whether the compound is expat/ local, the rates will vary accordingly. For single people, they can try sharing apartments. Do not tell the agent your actual budget, quote a lower one say around one to two thousands, and then you will find one in your budget.. they tend to go over your quote. Bargain hard, and ask for everything you will need in the beginning itself, like heating lamps in bathrooms.. very essential, otherwise its very hard in winter.
Where to live - whether in Puxi or Pudong depends on where you will be working, and if you have children, according to their schools too.
Update : Since I wrote this post, Carrefour, the hypermarket chain, has opened up online shopping.. so now you can just click this link, find out the prices of what ever you want on this site.. you will get a fair idea of up to date prices .

Carrefour

Updated prices as on June, 2015
Food :
Milk :Local milk, fresh : 17 to 22 rmb per litre.Milk, UHT packs, one litre - local : 18 to 20rmb. Imported : goes from 16 rmb per litre to 25 rmb per litre, depending on country of origin.
Vegetables :Rates depend on where you buy.. the vegetable market is always cheaper, and Carrefour is costlier. Best bet is to tell your ayi to buy, they will get the cheapest rate.
Potatoes : 8to 10 rmb per kilo, . Tomatoes : 10 to 15 rmb, onions : 10to 15, One head of cauliflower 8 rmb, Cabbage - 5rmb to 8 rmb, Spinach - 10 rmb for a bunch. Coriander - 2 rmb for a bunch.
Fruits : Bananas : 12 to 18 yuan for a dozen, though they sell them by weight here.Apples, 8rmb to 10 rmb for one kg, imported cost more.
Rice : Thai rice varies from 80 rmb to  120 rmb for a 5 kg bag.
Indian groceries : all of them will be three times as expensive - Dals range from 20 rmb to 25 rmb a kilo. 5kg bag of basmati rice is 120 rmb. 5 kg bag of atta - 115 rmb.

Utilities : Electricity bills and Gas bills will be high - depending on the size of your home, and also quality of construction - a better insulated house will be definitely warmer and will mean low elec. bills, so if your company pays only rent and not bills, opt for a costlier but better insulated house ( insist on double glass windows ) - the newer compounds are better in this regard. Electric bills vary from 200 rmb per month to 2000 rmb ( in peak winters/ summers), Gas bills - since all water is heated by gas - also range from 400rmb to 1000 rmb. Water bills - low, around 100 to 200yuan. Telephone - basic is 125 rmb, calls are extra - local calls do not cost much, international calls.. not sure, you can check the rates on the net...oh, and an internet connection costs around 130 rmb per month, depends on the plan.

Schooling : I will post more about schools later, but international schools are very expensive here, ranging from 90,000 rmb per annum to 1,80,000 rmb per annum. If your company doesnt pay schooling, it will be tough. School bus fees also around 80,000 rmb per annum - or more depending on the distance between school and home.