Fukuoka VS Shenzhen

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Fukuoka
Japan
51.4
COLI Index
#54
Global Rank
JPY
Currency
Shenzhen
China
41.9
COLI Index
#66
Global Rank
CNY
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
51.4
41.9
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$700
$900
Total Deductions
27.6%
34.5%
Exchange Rate
1 JPY = 0.0435 CNY
Is Fukuoka cheaper than Shenzhen?

Yes, Shenzhen is 18% cheaper than Fukuoka based on our cost of living index. Shenzhen has a COLI of 41.9, while Fukuoka has a COLI of 51.4. 18% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Fukuoka vs Shenzhen

Overall, Shenzhen is approximately 18% cheaper than Fukuoka based on our cost of living index. Fukuoka has a COLI of 51.4 (ranked #54 of 182 cities), while Shenzhen has a COLI of 41.9 (ranked #66).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Fukuoka averages $700/month compared to $900/month in Shenzhen. That makes Fukuoka approximately 22% cheaper for rent alone.

Fukuoka has lower total deductions (27.6%) compared to Shenzhen (34.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Fukuoka. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Fukuoka

Income Tax
13%
Health + Pension + Employment
14.8%
Total: 27.6%Take-Home: ¥4,324,078/yr

Shenzhen

Income Tax
12%
Five Insurances + Housing Fund
22.5%
Total: 34.5%Take-Home: ¥138,562/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn ¥11,618,223 in Fukuoka, you would need approximately ¥411,577 in Shenzhen to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 18% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Fukuoka (JPY) Shenzhen (CNY)
Doctor (General) ¥14,332,240 ¥507,722
Software Engineer ¥6,768,002 ¥239,758
Product Manager ¥7,962,355 ¥282,068
Lawyer ¥7,962,355 ¥282,068
Data Scientist ¥7,564,238 ¥267,964
Marketing Manager ¥5,732,896 ¥203,089
Teacher ¥3,821,931 ¥135,393
Nurse ¥4,618,166 ¥163,599

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Fukuoka (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Tenjin1.20x (+20%)
Hakata1.15x (+15%)
Daimyo1.12x (+12%)
Ohori1.10x (+10%)
Imaizumi1.10x (+10%)

Shenzhen (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Nanshan (Shekou)1.25x (+25%)
Futian (CBD)1.22x (+22%)
Houhai1.20x (+20%)
Nanshan (Tech Park)1.18x (+18%)
Qianhai1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fukuoka or Shenzhen more expensive?

Fukuoka is more expensive overall. Fukuoka has a COLI of 51.4 while Shenzhen has a COLI of 41.9, making Shenzhen approximately 18% cheaper.

What salary in Shenzhen equals ¥11,618,223 in Fukuoka?

To maintain the same standard of living as ¥11,618,223 in Fukuoka, you would need approximately ¥411,577 in Shenzhen.

Is rent cheaper in Fukuoka or Shenzhen?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fukuoka is $700/month compared to $900/month in Shenzhen. Fukuoka has lower rent by approximately 22%.

Which city has lower taxes, Fukuoka or Shenzhen?

Fukuoka has lower total deductions (27.6%) compared to Shenzhen (34.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Fukuoka.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.