We live twice as bad as the Chinese: what is the salary in China and how you can live on it
It is more profitable to work in China, and it is cheaper to live. This is the reason why an increasing number of Russians dream of moving to China. The average salary in China is 2.5 times higher than in Russia, and market salaries are already six times higher than the real disposable income of Russians.
It is more profitable to work in China, and it is cheaper to live. This is the reason why an increasing number of Russians dream of moving to China. The average salary in China is 2.5 times higher than in Russia, and market salaries are already six times higher than the real disposable income of Russians.
Oksana Samoilenko
Russia vs China: Salaries
In order for a Russian today to earn as much as an average Chinese person receives per month, you need to plow … half-year! The average official salary in this country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, for 2022 is 9.5 thousand yuan. The data for 2023 is still being calculated, but, as noted by journalists of the Chinese media company Sohu, the average official salary at the end of last year is expected to exceed 10 thousand yuan. This is 127.9 thousand rubles. For comparison, in Russia in 2022, the average salary did not exceed 65 thousand rubles.
The minimum wage in China for 2024 is set in the range of 1860 to 2420 yuan, depending on the region of residence. The lowest minimum wage is in Heilongjiang Province, located in the northeast of the country on the border with Russia. The highest is in Beijing.
However, this is official data. The market situation looks a little different. Morgan McKinley, a recruitment consultancy, analyzed the market salaries of Chinese people in various regions and industries in mainland China. Thousands of vacancies published in 2022 were analyzed. The average salary offered before taxes was 29.3 thousand yuan per month. This is 375 thousand rubles. 5.7 times more, than in Russia.
The average salary offered before taxes was 29,300 yuan per month. This is 5.7 times more than in Russia. Photo: Shutterstock
Russia vs China: Housing
The cost of renting housing in China is comparable to the cost of renting it out in Russia, but the proposed conditions will be better. In China, a one-room apartment is considered to be an apartment with one bedroom and a living room. A two-room apartment is an apartment with two bedrooms and a living room, respectively.
For example, a one-room apartment with an area of 53 square meters in a residential area of the Chinese capital is rented for 5,600 yuan per month (about 71 thousand rubles). The apartment is located a 10-minute walk from the metro. The housing is equipped with all the necessary furniture and household appliances. There is a large walk-in closet. The apartment has underfloor heating.
For comparison, in Moscow you can also find a two-room apartment in relative proximity to the center for 70 thousand rubles. Housing for such money is offered in an old house, with a fresh renovation.
But a Chinese pays half of his average salary for such an apartment, and a Russian gives the entire salary.
The cost of renting housing in China is comparable to the cost of renting it out in Russia, but the proposed conditions will be better. Photo: 1MI
In China, it is not uncommon for companies to help rent housing for their employees, even in the private sector. This is part of the “daiyu” (待遇 – translated from Chinese as “remuneration”), which is a monthly package of material and non-material incentives for an employee for his work. In Russia, the practice of reimbursing the cost of rent to employees is not widespread, especially if a person is employed in a private company. At most, the cost of housing can be deducted from the amount of your salary.
Renting a house in China is not difficult. For foreigners, the most difficult thing is to negotiate with a “fandong” (房东” – owner of an apartment) if you do not know Chinese. But here the locals are ready to help.
“If you have friends who speak Chinese, then renting a house here is not a problem at all. But you need to take into account that apartments here are rented for three months or a year at once. Not like we do. You need to pay for the entire period at once,” Alexei from Primorsky Krai, who has been living in the Chinese city of Suifenhe near the Russian border for the past two years, tells Novye Izvestia.
Victoria has been living with her husband in southern China for several years. She notes that they were helped in renting housing in the company of her husband. “But in general, in my opinion, there are absolutely no problems with rent. At every intersection there are agencies that rent out real estate. They take a commission for their work. I can’t tell you the size of the commission, but it’s small,” says Victoria.
The most important thing, the girl reminds, after settling in the apartment, together with the owner of the apartment, go to the police and register at the place of stay. If you do not do this, you will have to pay a considerable fine when leaving.
Russia vs China: Food
Food prices in China are comparable to those in Russia. For example, 300 grams of chicken fillet in terms of Russian currency will cost 100 rubles. Chilled pork tenderloin 300 grams – 75 rubles. Half a kilo of live fish costs 216 rubles, salmon slices – 385 rubles per 100 grams, and tiger prawns – 250 rubles for a portion of 250 grams. Half a kilo of potatoes costs 38 rubles in China. A portion of lettuce leaves costs from 37 to 100 rubles per 500 grams, depending on the type. And broken cucumbers, a popular snack in China, will cost 250 rubles per 300 grams.
Food prices in China are comparable to those in Russia. Photo: 1MI
Dinner in a restaurant is on average cheaper than in Moscow, Victoria notes.
“Everything, of course, depends on the level of the restaurant. In large cities, such as Shanghai or Guangzhou, you can eat for 20 thousand rubles or even more. In small towns, you can have dinner for two for 1.5 thousand rubles,” the girl notes.
But that’s still if you don’t know a life hack from the locals. Most restaurants offer a meal pass. According to it, dinner in the establishment will be even cheaper. “For example, if a dish on the menu costs 230 yuan, you can buy it for 190-200 yuan with a subscription,” she explains.
However, you need to remember about the cultural traditions of this country: if you invite your friends to a restaurant, then you pay for dinner, the girl warns.
Life hack for tourists: various applications are popular in the country that provide coupons and discounts for visiting restaurants, cafes, excursions, and entertainment venues. To use them, it is enough to have a local SIM card and WeChat.
In Chinese restaurants, you can buy a meal pass and eat cheaper. Photo: social networks
Russia vs China: Clothing and Footwear
What there are no problems with in China is clothes and shoes. And for any budget: from cheap, handmade to clothes of world brands.
“Locally produced products are inexpensive. Prices for global brands are somewhat overpriced, as for me. In other countries, even in Asia, you can find it cheaper,” says Elena from Guilin, China.
You can find clothes even cheaper in the markets, but Elena herself has not been there yet. I moved to China not so long ago, I am getting used to it.
“Speaking pragmatically, here, at least, we do not need to buy four sets of outerwear and shoes for all four seasons. We live in the suburbs of Guilin. It’s warm here even in winter. Now we are wearing T-shirts,” she explains.
In China, you can find clothes for every taste and budget. Photo: social networks
Russia vs China: Medicine
Medicine is very cheap in China, Victoria notes. “The medicine here is amazing. I’m talking about classical, European medicine. It’s so cheap here that we didn’t even have health insurance. The appointment cost us only 15 yuan (192 rubles – ed.) in an ordinary state clinic. Can you remember that somewhere in Russia you were prescribed treatment for 200 rubles? I won’t say anything about private clinics. We didn’t apply. And there was no such need. The state clinics here are amazing, well-groomed, well-equipped, the specialists are very good,” the girl says.
An appointment at a public clinic in China costs only 15 yuan. This is about 200 rubles at the current exchange rate. Photo: social networks
And what about old age?
A Russian cannot count on a pension in China. In this country, not all Chinese receive such payments. There is no “old-age pension” as such in the country: if you have not paid contributions during your life, then you cannot count on state assistance.
But recently, a loophole has emerged for foreigners as well. They will be able to receive a pension on an equal basis with local residents if they have officially worked in China for at least 15 years. At the same time, their work experience must be continuous, and their residence in the country must be legal on the basis of a work residence permit. A business visa does not count.
But that’s not all. During these 15 years, the foreigner must regularly pay taxes and make pension contributions. These amounts are deducted from the employment contract.