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Cost of Living in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan · Population 2,733,964

▲ +8% vs Taiwan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$28,326 ($872)
Couple, monthly$51,025 ($1,570)
Family of four, monthly$66,711 ($2,053)

Estimated Prices in Kaohsiung

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$278 ($8.55)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$1,112 ($34.20)per meal
Cappuccino$83.36 ($2.57)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$6,299 ($194)per month
Monthly public transport pass$1,019 ($31.35)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$2,686 ($82.65)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$778 ($23.94)per month
Fitness club membership$778 ($23.94)per month
Cinema ticket$204 ($6.27)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$14,088 ($433)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$9,801 ($302)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$29,402 ($905)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Kaohsiung is $70,395 ($2,166) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $28,326 ($872) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $36,823 ($1,133) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($9,801 ($302)) represents about 35% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung vs TaichungKaohsiung vs TaipeiKaohsiung vs TainanKaohsiung vs HsinchuKaohsiung vs KeelungKaohsiung vs Chiayi

Nearby Cities

Zhongzhuang

11 km away · Kaohsiung

Xinyuan

19 km away · Pingtung

Wandan

19 km away · Pingtung

Pingtung

21 km away · Pingtung

Linluo

23 km away · Pingtung

Jiuru

23 km away · Pingtung

Kanding

24 km away · Pingtung

Donggang

24 km away · Pingtung

Other Major Cities in Taiwan

Taichung

Taichung · pop. 3,799,301

$32,674 ($1,005) / mo

Taipei

Taipei · pop. 2,442,991

$28,326 ($872) / mo

Tainan

Tainan · pop. 1,874,686

$28,326 ($872) / mo

Hsinchu

Hsinchu · pop. 499,348

$26,174 ($805) / mo

Keelung

Keelung · pop. 360,429

$26,174 ($805) / mo

Chiayi

Chiayi · pop. 260,749

$26,174 ($805) / mo

Changhua

Changhua · pop. 221,048

$24,570 ($756) / mo

Zhubei

Hsinchu · pop. 220,662

$24,570 ($756) / mo

Living in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is one of the key cities in Taiwan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $28,326 ($872), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $9,801 ($302) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $66,711 ($2,053) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $51,025 ($1,570) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Kaohsiung is $70,395 ($2,166). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $36,823 ($1,133) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kaohsiung expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $28,326 ($872) per month in Kaohsiung including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Taiwan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kaohsiung?
A net salary of around $36,823 ($1,133) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Kaohsiung with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Kaohsiung is $70,395 ($2,166).
How much is rent in Kaohsiung?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $14,088 ($433) per month in the city centre and $9,801 ($302) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $29,402 ($905).
Is Kaohsiung cheaper than Taiwan on average?
No — Kaohsiung is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Taiwan average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Kaohsiung?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $6,299 ($194) in Kaohsiung. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $278 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around $83 ($3).
How do transport costs in Kaohsiung compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Kaohsiung is estimated at $1,019 ($31). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Kaohsiung are estimates based on Taiwan national averages adjusted for city size (population 2,733,964). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.