Low cost of livingAlthough prices in China are rising, the cost of living still compares favorably to most industrialized countries. You will be amazed by how comfortably you can live and how strong your purchasing power is. You can afford a lifestyle you are unlikely to be enjoying at home: get a housekeeper, travel every month, enjoy frequent restaurant meals, massages, and nights on the town. Even wear tailor-made clothes! Food prices in China

Eating local food and buying produce from the Chinese markets gives our English teachers amazing insight into the Chinese diet and a glimpse at traditional Eastern medicine. It also leaves them with money in their pockets for massages and traveling.

Milk (1L) : 7 RMB Eggs (12) : 7 RMB Carrots (1kg) : 5 RMB Chicken breast (1kg) : 15 RMB Rice (1kg) : 8 RMB Bottle of water (1.5L) : 3 RMB Bottle of Chinese beer (.5L) : 4 RMB

Leisure activities in ChinaChina has a wide range of regional cuisines and eating out is the best way to discover this variety. Chinese people eat out frequently and often entertain friends and colleagues in restaurants instead of having them into their homes. Whether you're enjoying a meal with friends, working out at the fitness club, or getting a massage, you'll find that leisure activities are often very affordable in China. Three course mid-range restaurant dinner : 80 RMB

Quick restaurant meal of rice or noodles : 25 RMB Large steamed dumplings, a common street food : 3 RMB Housekeeper (2 hours) : 30 RMB Massage (30 min) : 40 RMB 1 month fitness club membership : 150 RMB Movie ticket, international release : 65 RMB

Cost of transportation in ChinaChina has excellent, yet inexpensive, public transport and even taxi rides are quite reasonably-priced, if sometimes harrowing. Chinese people often commute by bicycle, but this mode of transport is only for the bravest of foreigners. Metro ride : 3 RMB Taxi rate per km : 2.2 RMB 20-min taxi ride across town : 25 RMB City bus : 2 RMB Inexpensive travel in China and beyondAny traveler on a budget will love taking trains in China. Trains are numerous and increasingly high speed rail services connect large regional cities. Domestic flights are also usually inexpensive. There is some seasonal variation and prices rise during national holidays like Chinese New Year. 1 night in a mid-range hotel : 350 RMB High speed train, Guangzhou to Wuhan (3 hours): 490 RMB Slow train, Guangzhou to Wuhan (10 hours) : 120 RMB Flight, Guangzhou to Beijing (2 hours) : 800 RMB Flight, Guangzhou to Bangkok (3 hours) : 1300 RMB

Reasonably priced custom made clothesThe cost of having clothes tailor made is very affordable. Once you discover the joys of custom-fit clothing, it may be difficult to go back to the rack! 1 tailor-made button down shirt : 150 RMB 1 tailor-made skirt : 150 RMB 1 tailor-made business suit : 500 RMB T-shirt : 50 RMB Pair of jeans : 200 RMB Sample EF English teacher monthly budgetTo give you an idea of how an average EF English teacher in China spends his or her salary, here is a sample monthly budget: Gross Income (Salary) : 12,350 RMB Rent : 3500 RMB Utilities (electricity, gas, water) : 250 RMB Phone & Internet : 300 RMB Food : 1500 RMB Insurance : 295 RMB Remaining Disposable Income : 6,505 RMB

Note: All China cost of living estimates are approximate averages for large Chinese cities. Prices do change and vary from location to location.