Although the cost of living is much lower in rural and southern Taiwan, most new arrivals settle in Taipei. A comparatively expensive city, the 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey ranked Taipei as 69th out of 226 other popular expat cities. This is still far below other regional hubs such as Hong Kong, Tokyo in Japan, Beijing in China, or Singapore though.
In general, if earning an expat salary, one can enjoy a higher standard of living than back home, even if the actual wage is lower before adjusting for purchasing power. That said, many foreigners soon discover that they can generally afford more with less money. Even as a local hire, new arrivals will probably be paid a 'foreigner salary' rather than a local one, especially if bilingual, and certainly if speaking English or another foreign language is considered a necessary skill for the position.
That said, Taipei has as much of a consumer culture as many large Western or Asian cities, and expat families will need to decide how much of their monthly income they are prepared to spend to maintain the lifestyle they were living in their home countries. Western clothing and foodstuffs are generally pricier than local options.
Cost of accommodation in Taipei
Although higher than elsewhere in Taiwan, housing in Taipei is generally affordable, as renting and living centrally is not as expensive as it might be in Western cities.
On the other hand, buying property in Taipei is prohibitively expensive, as real estate costs are similar to those in more expensive countries.
Cost of transport in Taipei
Getting around in Taipei is easy and affordable, thanks to the city's extensive and reliable public transport network. Most expats find owning a car an unnecessary expense and choose to travel on the MRT or the city's buses.
Thrifty expats can purchase a smart card to access both the MRT and buses, and this will also provide discounts. Taxis are also available; although they are comparatively pricier than public transport, they are still affordable by global standards.
Cost of groceries and goods in Taipei
One downside of cooking at home is that it can cost as much as eating out, especially if cooking Western food. This can be frustrating for those who prefer cooking their food or like to have total control of ingredients and the cooking process.
Goods tend to be cheaper in Taiwan than they are in the US or UK. With all the street stalls selling accessories and the affordability of decor and furniture, items tend to be cheaper than in other countries.
While many goods in Taipei are cheap, they are often poorly made. This is especially true when it comes to textiles and some electronics brands. Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels and curtains tend to be of inferior quality, and many are made of synthetic, even plastic-like fabrics. Despite the abundance of inexpensive goods, imported luxury brands are costly due to high import duties.
Cost of entertainment and eating out in Taipei
Expats will be astonished by the depth and breadth of the options for eating out in Taipei. These range from food stalls making cheap, tasty and quick meals or snacks to restaurants offering sit-down dinners of several courses.
Western alcohol can cost more in Taipei than in Western European or North American countries, but going out in Taipei is still affordable. Even Taipei's fanciest bars are reasonable, and most local and expat-friendly places also have wallet-friendly prices.
Cost of education in Taipei
Expats may be surprised by the lack of English language schools in Taipei, since the city is home to a sizeable English-speaking community. Expat parents who want their children to learn in English will have to budget for the high fees associated with international schools or send their children to one of Taipei's highly religious English schools. Those with young children have the option of enrolling their children in Taipei's highly regarded schools at a fraction of the cost of international schools.
Cost of healthcare in Taipei
Taipei offers a solid healthcare system that is both affordable and efficient. The city's healthcare operates under Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, providing residents access to various medical services. Expats living in Taipei for more than six months must enrol in the NHI programme, with premiums according to their income. Services such as general consultations, prescribed medications, and hospitalisation are covered under this insurance, though some co-payments may be required at the point of use.
Expats may choose to use private healthcare facilities for more comfort and quicker service, higher-end facilities, less waiting time and the advantage of English-speaking staff. However, private healthcare can be costlier, and not all services may be covered under the NHI, requiring either out-of-pocket payments or a private health insurance plan.
Cost of living in Taiwan chart
Prices may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Taipei in July 2023.
Accommodation (monthly rent) | |
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | NTD 47,000 |
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | NTD 35,000 |
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | NTD 19,100 |
One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | NTD 13,500 |
Food and drink | |
Dozen eggs | NTD 125 |
Milk (1 litre) | NTD 95 |
Rice (1kg) | NTD 100 |
Loaf of white bread | NTD 64 |
Chicken breasts (1kg) | NTD 131 |
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | NTD 128 |
Eating out | |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | NTD 1,200 |
Big Mac meal | NTD 149 |
Coca-Cola (330ml) | NTD 33 |
Cappuccino | NTD 102 |
Bottle of beer (local) | NTD 49 |
Utilities/household | |
Mobile call rate (per minute – mobile to mobile) | NTD 5.13 |
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) | NTD 770 |
Basic utilities (average per month for a standard household) | NTD 2,300 |
Transportation | |
Taxi rate/km | NTD 25 |
City-centre public transport fare | NTD 25 |
Gasoline (per litre) | NTD 31 |
Further reading
►For an overview of money matters, read Banking, Money and Taxes in Taiwan
Expat Interviews
"Street food, groceries, and eating out are overall significantly cheaper in Taiwan. Street food and hole-in-the-wall restaurants are so cheap that it’s cheaper to eat out than cook at home. Travelling around is also cheaper than Canada, but hotels in Taiwan are pricey by Asian standards and probably on par with Canada. Things like electronics are similarly priced or even more expensive than in Canada.
"In terms of housing, Taipei is like Vancouver. The price of buying property in the city centre is ridiculously expensive. Renting is probably cheaper than Canada though. Many expats share apartments with other expats, further dropping the price. My wife and I bought an apartment in New Taipei City (essentially the suburbs of Taipei), and it was very reasonably priced." Read about Nick's expat experience in Taipei and his thoughts on life in the city.
Are you an expat living in Taipei?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Taipei. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global Health Insurance.
Moving your family abroad can be intimidating, but learning about medical options such as family health insurance early on can help you settle successfully.
- Comprehensive Family coverage, wherever you go
- Paediatric coverage for well-child visits & immunizations
- Access to dental and orthodontic care
- 24/7 multilingual Customer Service
Moving Internationally?
International Movers. Get Quotes. Compare Prices.
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.
Get your free no-obligation quotes from select removal companies now!