Cost of Living in Taiwan: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Countries

Are you considering studying in Taiwan? Known for its vibrant culture, excellent education system, and stunning landscapes, Taiwan is an attractive destination for international students. Understanding the cost of living in Taiwan is crucial for planning your budget and ensuring a smooth experience while studying there. Taiwan offers affordable cost of living, tuition costs and various scholarships to its students making it an ideal destination for students from all over the world.

If you’re planning to move here, make sure you know the cost of living in Taiwan. So, in this blog, we will show you the various expenses in the country, such as transportation costs, monthly rent, utility bills, grocery princess, and more. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.

Cost of Living in Taiwan

The average cost of living in Taiwan for a single person is approximately TWD 24,432 per month without rental costs, according to Numbeo Data. However, the rent for a one-room apartment ranges from TWD 10,793 to TWD 26,000 per month. Food expenses are about TWD 12554 per month, and transportation costs are around TWD 1200 per month.

The overall cost of living in Taiwan can vary based on several factors, including lifestyle choices, the specific area you live in, and personal spending habits. However, key aspects such as the type of accommodation, food preferences, and other personal expenses play a significant role in determining your monthly budget. Let’s understand in detail the average cost of living in Taiwan in various individual categories

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Costs of Housing Rent in Taiwan

Before moving to Taiwan, it is essential to thoroughly research and compare apartment rents in different areas to ensure they meet your needs and budget. The cost of rental housing in Taiwan for an Apartment (1 bedroom) for rent in the City Centre is around TWD 14,892.

Rental costs in Taiwan can vary based on location, size, and type of accommodation Furthermore, we have given a few housing costs in the table below, which will help you understand the cost of living in Taiwan. Have a look at the housing expenses in the country:

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Rent
Monthly Rent for a One-bedroom Apartment (City Centre)	TWD 14,892
Monthly Rent for a One-bedroom Apartment (Outside of the Centre)	TWD 10,793
Monthly Rent for a Three-bedroom Apartment (City Centre)	TWD 35,018
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment (Outside of the Centre)	TWD 25,538

Costs of Utility in Taiwan

Basic utility costs in Taiwan are approximately TWD 2,521 per month for one person. This cost encompasses essential services such as heating, electricity, gas, a mobile plan, and internet access. Understanding these utility expenses is crucial for students aiming to budget effectively.

Despite the overall cost of living in Taiwan, utility expenses remain relatively affordable, allowing students to allocate their resources wisely. For your reference, we have given the average utility costs in Taiwan for various categories in the table below:

Utility Type	Approx. Monthly Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	TWD 2,521
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone (with Calls & 10GB+ Data)	TWD 747
Internet (60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	TWD 718

Costs of Dining in Taiwan

Taiwanese restaurants have many diverse cuisines. The monthly cost of food in Taiwan is around TWD 12554. However, this cost may vary according to food preferences and location. Many restaurants and quaint street eateries offer traditional and contemporary cuisine.

Eating out regularly can affect the budget of the cost of living in Taiwan. The table below shows the average cost of food in Taiwan that you can expect to afford in the country:

Restaurants and types of meal	Approx. Cost
Meal at a budget-friendly restaurant	TWD 150
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant	TWD 1,000
Combo meal at McDonald’s (or similar fast-food chain)	TWD 159
Regular cappuccino	TWD 96

Grocery Cost in Taiwan

The average monthly grocery cost in Taiwan is TWD 9200, including milk, fruits, vegetables, food and other items. As we all know, groceries are everyday expenses if we cook food at residence and the grocery cost can affect the cost of living in Taiwan. To save money on groceries in Taiwan, it’s beneficial to compare prices across different stores and vendors.

Grocery prices can vary depending on the quality and quantity of the products, as well as the location and availability of the store. If you plan to cook at your residence, the table below lists average grocery prices in Taiwan:

Grocery Item	Approx. Cost
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	TWD 96.85
Apples (1kg)	TWD 131.68
Banana (1kg)	TWD 67
Oranges (1kg)	TWD 80.78
Tomato (1kg)	TWD 104.41
Potato (1kg)	TWD 88.08
Onion (1kg)	TWD 73.62
Lettuce (1 head)	TWD 60.51
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	TWD 35.86
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	TWD 60.54
Rice (white), (1kg)	TWD 97.64
Eggs (regular) (12)	TWD 90.51
Local Cheese (1kg)	TWD 475.57

Cost of Transportation in Taiwan

Transportation in Taiwan is very easy and accessible. It has excellent transport links, with a modern and developed metro system. Taiwan has a high-speed rail system called HSR trains, and other local modes of transportation are city buses. The monthly cost of transportation in Taiwan is around TWD 1200 which comes under the overall cost of living in Taiwan.

This shows that travelling in Taiwan is convenient and budget-friendly. In addition, some information on the average transportation cost in Taiwan has been collected for your convenience. Please take a look at the table below:

Mode of Transport	Approx. Monthly Cost
Price of a One-way Ticket for Local Transport	TWD 25
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	TWD 1,200
Cost of Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	TWD 25
Cost of Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	TWD 85
Cost of Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	TWD 300

Miscellaneous Costs in Taiwan

In addition to essential living expenses like housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries, you may encounter various miscellaneous costs during your study in Taiwan. The miscellaneous costs may include a gym subscription, movie tickets, clothing, minor medical appointments, and more.

It is a wise decision to keep these miscellaneous expenses in mind when managing your budget for the cost of living in Taiwan. While these costs may vary depending on individual lifestyles and preferences, they are important for overall financial planning. Please refer to the table below for a detailed list of these charges.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	TWD 300
Brand Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	TWD 2,023
Fitness Club	TWD 1,128
Brand Sneakers (Nike Running Shoes)	TWD 2,635
Doctor’s visit	TWD 1347

Cost of Living in Taiwan Compared to Other Countries

The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively affordable compared to many other countries and cities. While it is higher than in some Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, it is considerably lower than in developed nations such as the US, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong. This makes Taiwan an attractive option for students and expatriates seeking a balance of quality living and reasonable expenses.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Taiwan compares to other countries and cities like Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. We’ve given the cost of living in other countries and cities. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living (Excluding rent)	Comparison with Cost of Living in Taiwan
Cost of Living in the US	TWD 38114	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Singapore	TWD 36343	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Philippines	TWD 17557	Lower than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Malaysia	TWD 15916	Lower than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Thailand	TWD 18494	Lower than Taiwan
Cost of Living in South Korea	TWD 33452	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Canada	TWD 34540	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Japan	TWD 26988	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Hong Kong	TWD 38366	Higher than Taiwan
Cost of Living in Vietnam	TWD 15190	Higher than Taiwan

By understanding these comparisons, you can better plan your budget and make an informed decision about living in Taiwan.

Average Tuition Fees in Taiwan

Apart from the cost of living in Taiwan, one of the most important things for students is whether they can afford the average tuition fees. By doing careful financial planning, students can maximize their opportunities to obtain a high-quality education from their desired university or college at an affordable price.

Understanding the tuition fees at universities in Taiwan is crucial as they significantly impact the overall cost of living in Taiwan. For that, we have given the cost of average tuition fees assessed by the universities in Taiwan in the table below:

Courses	Average Annual Tuition Fees
Undergraduate Courses	TWD 51,000 – TWD 78,000
Postgraduate Courses	TWD 50,000 – TWD 79,000
PhD Courses	TWD 142,000

Why Choose Taiwan to Study Abroad?

Along with the affordable cost of living, Taiwan offers plenty of academic advantages and study destinations to international students. It is also a very friendly and welcoming country. Studying in Taiwan can be a very rewarding experience for international students. It boasts a safe environment, as it has a relatively lower crime rate than other neighbouring regions and one can enjoy a good standard of living in Taiwan and high-quality education. Here are some major reasons why you should choose Taiwan to study abroad:

Scholarships for International Students

Recently, Taiwan attracted 30,000 international students to choose Taiwan for study-abroad destinations. There are diverse scholarships and financial assistance opportunities the Taiwanese government offers to overseas students who want to pursue graduate and undergraduate degrees in Taiwan. It means Expat students only have to understand the cost of living in Taiwan.

The Taiwan government offers the Taiwan Scholarship and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, among others. The smooth allocation of scholarships makes the cost of living in Taiwan for International Students affordable. 

Expand Your Cultural Horizons 

Studying in Taiwan is more than just academics. The vibrant culture, rich history, stunning natural landscapes and bustling cities of the country ensure a great learning experience for students and make the cost of living in Taiwan affordable.

Opportunities in Technology

For students who want to study in the technology field, Taiwan is the most suitable country for them at an affordable cost. It has the most employable graduates in technology. Its highly ranked STEM programs combined with their industry partners give students a competitive edge.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Hong Kong: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Things to Know When Moving to Taiwan

Now that you have understood the cost of living in Taiwan in various categories in detail If you have finally decided to move to Taiwan to stay or study, then check out some important things you need to know about the country beforehand:

Welcoming People in Taiwan

Taiwanese and its people made a reputation for being welcoming and friendly to outsiders. It is known for its friendly people and generous hospitality. So, living in Taiwan won’t make you feel far from home.

Work Opportunities in Taiwan

Taiwan has a great job market for many professions and offers many work options for expats. It has a high demand for skilled workers and issues work visas easily for individuals who meet the qualifications for available jobs. Work Opportunities in Taiwan make the cost of living in Taiwan negligible.

High-Quality Healthcare in Taiwan

Taiwan’s healthcare system is also among the most efficient in the world. Its top-notch medical facilities have qualified medical staff, and the country offers high-quality care in modern facilities at reasonably low costs. These expenses contribute negligibly to the cost of living in Taiwan. In the health and health systems ranking of countries worldwide, Taiwan ranked fourth last year.

A Lot of Things to Do in Taiwan

Taiwan houses various stunning attractions that you should visit, such as the National Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, Rainbow Village, Shilin Night Market, Ximending, Muzha Zoo, Gaomei Wetland, Lihpao Land, and many more.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Taiwan

So, this was all about the cost of living in Taiwan. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.