Cost of Living in Taipei

Most new arrivals to Taiwan 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, and Singapore.

In general, if you are earning an expat salary, you can enjoy a higher standard of living than back home, even if the actual wage is lower before adjusting for purchasing power. Many foreigners soon discover that they can generally afford more with less money. Even as a local hire, you will probably be paid a ‘foreigner salary’ rather than a local one, especially if you are bilingual, and certainly if speaking English or another foreign language is required for the position.

That said, Taipei has as much consumer culture as many large Western or Asian cities. As an expat family, you will need to decide how much of your monthly income you are prepared to spend to maintain the lifestyle you were living in your home country. Western clothing and foodstuffs are typically pricier than local options.

Cost of accommodation in Taipei

Although higher than elsewhere in Taiwan, housing in Taipei is largely affordable, as renting and living centrally is not as expensive as it might be in Western cities. While renting is affordable, you’ll find that the properties in the city are smaller than you may be used to, so you’ll need to adjust to this.

Conversely, buying property in Taipei is prohibitively expensive, as real estate costs are similar to those in more expensive countries. Utilities during the warmer summer months can also be pricier than usual, as air-conditioning is necessary.

Cost of transport in Taipei

Thanks to Taipei’s extensive and reliable public transport network, getting around in the city is easy and affordable. Most expats find owning a car unnecessary and choose to travel on the MRT or the city’s buses.

You can purchase a smart card to access both the MRT and buses, which also provides 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 you cook Western food. This can be frustrating for those who prefer to cook 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 for textiles and some electronics brands. Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, and curtains are frequently 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

You 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

Considering the size of the English-speaking community in the city, it may be surprising to see how few English language schools there are in Taipei. If you want your children to learn in English, you must budget for the high fees associated with international schools or send them to one of Taipei’s highly religious English schools.

Those with young children can enrol their children in Taipei’s highly regarded schools at a fraction of the cost of international schools. Younger children can learn the local language and integrate into the culture much quicker than older children.

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. If you’ve lived in Taipei for over six months, you must enrol in the NHI programme and pay premiums according to your income. Services such as general consultations, prescribed medications, and hospitalisation are covered under this insurance, although some co-payments may be required at the point of use.

You can also 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 October 2024.