Rome vs Beijing: Cost of Living Comparison
Comparing Rome and Beijing reveals a fascinating contrast between European heritage and East Asian modernization. While Rome offers a Mediterranean lifestyle with higher costs in dining and utilities, Beijing provides an ultra-modern infrastructure with significantly lower transport costs, though it presents some of the highest real estate prices in the world.
Is Rome more expensive than Beijing?
In general, Rome is approximately 15% more expensive than Beijing for the average consumer. When standardized in USD, a person would need about $4,600 in Rome to maintain the same standard of life that $4,000 provides in Beijing (assuming you rent in both). Local purchasing power in Rome is slightly lower than in Beijing, meaning that while salaries are comparable in some sectors, the lower cost of basic services in Beijing allows for more discretionary spending.
Housing and Rent: Rome vs Beijing
Rent in Rome is generally higher for standard apartments, with a one-bedroom in the city center costing around $1,350 USD compared to $1,100 USD in Beijing. However, Beijing's property market is bifurcated; while 'local' style apartments are affordable, luxury expat-standard housing in areas like Sanlitun can exceed Roman prices. Notably, the price per square meter to buy an apartment in Beijing's city center is roughly $16,000 USD, nearly double Rome's average of $8,800 USD.
Dining and Groceries: A Culinary Comparison
Beijing offers much more affordable dining options, particularly for local cuisine, where a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $6 USD compared to $18 USD in Rome. A mid-range three-course dinner for two in Rome will set you back approximately $75 USD, while a similar experience in Beijing costs around $55 USD. Conversely, Rome wins on the price of high-quality dairy, wine, and bread. A bottle of mid-range wine in Rome is about $8 USD, whereas in Beijing, it averages $15 USD due to import taxes.
Getting Around: Public Transit and Fuel
Beijing's public transport system is one of the most affordable and efficient in the world. A monthly pass costs roughly $30 USD and provides access to a massive subway network, whereas Rome's monthly pass is $40 USD but covers a much smaller and often less reliable system. Gasoline is significantly more expensive in Italy, priced at roughly $2.00 USD per liter, compared to about $1.20 USD per liter in China, making car ownership in Rome a much costlier endeavor.
Lifestyle, Utilities, and Entertainment
Utilities for a standard 85sqm apartment are considerably higher in Rome, averaging $230 USD per month, while Beijing remains around $90 USD thanks to subsidized heating and lower electricity rates. For entertainment, a cinema ticket in Rome is roughly $11 USD, slightly higher than Beijing's $9 USD. Fitness enthusiasts will find similar prices for gym memberships, ranging from $50 to $75 USD per month in both cities, though Beijing offers more high-end, luxury wellness clubs.
How to get from Rome to Beijing
There is currently no direct flight route between Rome (FCO) and Beijing (PEK). Travelers typically choose connecting flights via major hubs such as Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Frankfurt (Lufthansa). Total travel time generally ranges between 13 and 17 hours depending on the layover duration. Booking in advance can yield round-trip prices between $700 and $1,100 USD.
The Verdict: Rome or Beijing?
For digital nomads and those seeking a walkable, culturally rich environment with high-quality food, Rome is the preferred choice despite the higher cost of living. For families and professionals looking for modern infrastructure, a safe environment, and lower daily operational costs, Beijing is the better financial bet, provided they are not looking to purchase property in the city center.
Borderly AI