CPG
Original Research

China City Setup Cost Index 2026

The most comprehensive cost comparison of 62 Chinese cities for foreign business setup. Office rent, professional salary, employer burden, and CIT rate - all in one dataset.

About this data: The China City Setup Cost Index compares operating costs across 62 cities using a standardized methodology. Office rent is based on Grade A/B office rates (Shanghai = ¥300/sqm/mo baseline). Professional salary is based on a mid-level role (Shanghai = ¥23,000/mo baseline). All values are estimated ranges - use our cost calculator for detailed estimates.

Rank City Region Cost Index Office Rent
¥/sqm/mo		 Avg Salary
¥/month		 Employer
Burden		 CIT Rate
1 Kashgar Northwest China 100 ¥67-101 ¥7,820-10,580 ~25-30% 25%
2 Horgos Northwest China 100 ¥67-101 ¥7,820-10,580 ~25-30% 25%
3 Urumqi Northwest China 117 ¥84-126 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 25%
4 Lanzhou Northwest China 117 ¥77-115 ¥8,798-11,902 ~25-30% 15%
5 Ganzhou South China 117 ¥77-115 ¥8,798-11,902 ~25-30% 25%
6 Chaozhou South China 117 ¥77-115 ¥8,798-11,902 ~25-30% 25%
7 Yangjiang South China 117 ¥77-115 ¥8,798-11,902 ~25-30% 25%
8 Lianyungang East China 117 ¥77-115 ¥8,798-11,902 ~25-30% 25%
9 Guiyang Southwest China 125 ¥79-119 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 15%
10 Nanchang Central China 125 ¥79-119 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 15%
11 Nanning South China 125 ¥84-126 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 25%
12 Shantou South China 125 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 25%
13 Taiyuan North China 125 ¥91-137 ¥9,775-13,225 ~25-30% 15%
14 Hohhot North China 125 ¥84-126 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 15%
15 Mianyang Southwest China 125 ¥84-126 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 15%
16 Yibin Southwest China 125 ¥84-126 ¥9,384-12,696 ~25-30% 15%
17 Yichang Central China 125 ¥91-137 ¥9,775-13,225 ~25-30% 25%
18 Zhengzhou Central China 133 ¥84-126 ¥9,775-13,225 ~25-30% 25%
19 Changchun Northeast China 133 ¥84-126 ¥9,775-13,225 ~25-30% 15%
20 Yiwu East China 133 ¥91-137 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 25%
21 Harbin Northeast China 133 ¥84-126 ¥9,775-13,225 ~25-30% 15%
22 Shijiazhuang North China 133 ¥91-137 ¥10,166-13,754 ~25-30% 25%
23 Quanzhou East China 133 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 25%
24 Kunming Southwest China 133 ¥101-151 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 15%
25 Xuzhou East China 133 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 25%
26 Zhanjiang South China 133 ¥91-137 ¥10,166-13,754 ~25-30% 25%
27 Hefei Yangtze River Delta 142 ¥101-151 ¥11,339-15,341 ~25-30% 25%
28 Xi'an Northwest China 142 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 15%
29 Changsha Central China 142 ¥101-151 ¥11,339-15,341 ~25-30% 25%
30 Wenzhou East China 142 ¥108-162 ¥12,121-16,399 ~25-30% 25%
31 Shenyang Northeast China 142 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 15%
32 Huizhou Greater Bay Area 142 ¥110-166 ¥12,317-16,664 ~25-30% 25%
33 Haikou Hainan FTP 142 ¥101-151 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 15%
34 Jiangmen Greater Bay Area 142 ¥108-162 ¥11,730-15,870 ~25-30% 25%
35 Hainan FTP Special Zone 150 ¥120-180 ¥11,730-15,870 ~25-30% 15%
36 Chongqing Western China 150 ¥108-162 ¥11,730-15,870 ~25-30% 15%
37 Foshan Greater Bay Area 150 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
38 Changzhou Yangtze River Delta 150 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
39 Jinan East China 150 ¥108-162 ¥11,730-15,870 ~25-30% 25%
40 Zhongshan Greater Bay Area 150 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
41 Shaoxing Yangtze River Delta 150 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
42 Jiaxing Yangtze River Delta 150 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
43 Wuhan Central China 158 ¥120-180 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 25%
44 Dalian Northeast China 158 ¥115-173 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 15%
45 Dongguan Greater Bay Area 158 ¥125-187 ¥13,294-17,986 ~25-30% 25%
46 Chengdu Western China 167 ¥96-144 ¥10,753-14,547 ~25-30% 15%
47 Qingdao East China 167 ¥125-187 ¥13,294-17,986 ~25-30% 25%
48 Wuxi Yangtze River Delta 167 ¥132-198 ¥13,685-18,515 ~25-30% 25%
49 Zhuhai Greater Bay Area 167 ¥139-209 ¥14,076-19,044 ~25-30% 25%
50 Taicang Yangtze River Delta 167 ¥132-198 ¥13,685-18,515 ~25-30% 25%
51 Suzhou Yangtze River Delta 175 ¥144-216 ¥13,685-18,515 ~25-30% 25%
52 Nanjing Yangtze River Delta 175 ¥139-209 ¥14,076-19,044 ~25-30% 25%
53 Xiamen South China 175 ¥132-198 ¥13,685-18,515 ~25-30% 25%
54 Ningbo Yangtze River Delta 175 ¥132-198 ¥13,685-18,515 ~25-30% 25%
55 Kunshan Yangtze River Delta 175 ¥139-209 ¥14,076-19,044 ~25-30% 25%
56 Hangzhou Yangtze River Delta 183 ¥156-234 ¥14,663-19,838 ~25-30% 25%
57 Tianjin North China 183 ¥149-223 ¥14,663-19,838 ~25-30% 25%
58 Sanya Hainan FTP 183 ¥144-216 ¥12,708-17,193 ~25-30% 15%
59 Guangzhou Greater Bay Area 192 ¥168-252 ¥15,640-21,160 ~25-30% 25%
60 Shenzhen Greater Bay Area 217 ¥204-306 ¥17,595-23,805 ~25-30% 25%
61 Shanghai Yangtze River Delta 225 ¥240-360 ¥19,550-26,450 ~25-30% 25%
62 Beijing North China 233 ¥228-342 ¥18,573-25,127 ~25-30% 25%

📊 Methodology

Cost index = city cost multiplier vs cheapest city (Lanzhou = 100). Office rent: Grade A/B, Shanghai baseline ¥300/sqm/mo. Salary: mid-level professional, Shanghai baseline ¥23,000/mo. CIT: 15% for Western/Hainan FTP cities, 25% standard elsewhere. Data collected July 2026.

🔗 Cite this data

If you reference this cost index, please cite: "China Policy Guide, China City Setup Cost Index 2026, https://chinapolicyguide.com/cost-index-2026/". Linking to this page is appreciated.

🛠️ Get detailed estimates

Use our interactive tools for city-specific cost calculations:

Setup Cost Calculator City Comparison Tool Entry Plan Generator

Data is estimated and for reference only. Actual costs vary by district, industry, and company size. Last updated: July 2026. Data methodology