🇭🇰 Hong Kong vs 🇹🇼 Taipei

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇭🇰

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

$2,954–$4,677/mo

HK$23,078 – HK$36,539 / month (local)

🇹🇼

Taipei

Taiwan

$1,908–$3,021/mo

NT$61,548 – NT$97,452 / month (local)

Hong Kong is 55% more expensive

Taipei wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryHong Kong (USD)Taipei (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$2,215–$3,446$1,431–$2,226🟢 Taipei
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$1,169–$1,846$755–$1,192🟢 Taipei
Utilities$92–$178$60–$115🟢 Taipei
Groceries$468–$702$302–$453🟢 Taipei
Eating out (mid-range meal)$62–$111$40–$72🟢 Taipei
Public transport (monthly)$117–$142$76–$91🟢 Taipei
Internet & Mobile$37–$62$24–$40🟢 Taipei
Gym membership$43–$80$28–$52🟢 Taipei
Cinema ticket$17–$22$11–$14🟢 Taipei
Monthly total (single)$2,954–$4,677$1,908–$3,021🟢 Taipei

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing2.8 / 10 · 5.3 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Safety9.7 / 10 · 8.2 / 10
Hong Kong▲ better
Taipei
Healthcare8.0 / 10 · 8.2 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Education7.6 / 10 · 7.8 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Environment8.4 / 10 · 8.6 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Economy6.7 / 10 · 6.9 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Culture7.3 / 10 · 7.5 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better
Internet7.7 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Hong Kong
Taipei▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Hong Kong if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Hong Kong offers vs Taipei
  • ✓Finance
  • ✓Food
  • ✓Transit
  • ✓Trading

Choose Taipei if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Hong Kong
  • ✓Night markets
  • ✓Healthcare
  • ✓Semiconductors
  • ✓Hardware

You might also like…

📊

Full Hong Kong guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Hong Kong →

📊

Full Taipei guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Taipei →