Guangzhou VS Rome

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Guangzhou
China
38.7
COLI Index
#68
Global Rank
CNY
Currency
Rome
Italy
49.3
COLI Index
#57
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
38.7
49.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$750
$1,200
Total Deductions
33.8%
34.3%
Exchange Rate
1 CNY = 0.1260 EUR
Is Guangzhou cheaper than Rome?

Yes, Guangzhou is 22% cheaper than Rome based on our cost of living index. Guangzhou has a COLI of 38.7, while Rome has a COLI of 49.3. 22% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Guangzhou vs Rome

Overall, Guangzhou is approximately 22% cheaper than Rome based on our cost of living index. Guangzhou has a COLI of 38.7 (ranked #68 of 182 cities), while Rome has a COLI of 49.3 (ranked #57).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Guangzhou averages $750/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. That makes Guangzhou approximately 38% cheaper for rent alone.

Guangzhou has lower total deductions (33.8%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Guangzhou. 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.

Guangzhou

Income Tax
11%
Five Insurances + Housing Fund
22.5%
Total: 33.8%Take-Home: ¥129,272/yr

Rome

Income Tax
25%
INPS Contributions
9.2%
Total: 34.3%Take-Home: €20,597/yr

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

Salary Equivalent

If you earn ¥504,895 in Guangzhou, you would need approximately €81,010 in Rome to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 22% more due to higher 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 Guangzhou (CNY) Rome (EUR)
Doctor (General) ¥468,946 €75,242
Software Engineer ¥221,447 €35,531
Product Manager ¥260,526 €41,801
Lawyer ¥260,526 €41,801
Data Scientist ¥247,499 €39,711
Marketing Manager ¥187,578 €30,097
Teacher ¥125,052 €20,065
Nurse ¥151,105 €24,245

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

Neighborhoods

Guangzhou (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Tianhe1.22x (+22%)
Zhujiang New Town1.18x (+18%)
Zhujiang New Town East1.12x (+12%)
Yuexiu1.10x (+10%)
Dongshan1.08x (+8%)

Rome (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Centro Storico1.30x (+30%)
Parioli1.22x (+22%)
Monti1.20x (+20%)
Prati1.18x (+18%)
Trastevere1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Guangzhou or Rome more expensive?

Rome is more expensive overall. Guangzhou has a COLI of 38.7 while Rome has a COLI of 49.3, making Guangzhou approximately 22% cheaper.

What salary in Rome equals ¥504,895 in Guangzhou?

To maintain the same standard of living as ¥504,895 in Guangzhou, you would need approximately €81,010 in Rome.

Is rent cheaper in Guangzhou or Rome?

Average one-bedroom rent in Guangzhou is $750/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. Guangzhou has lower rent by approximately 38%.

Which city has lower taxes, Guangzhou or Rome?

Guangzhou has lower total deductions (33.8%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Guangzhou.

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.