Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Shanghai is 6% cheaper than Rome based on our cost of living index. Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2, while Rome has a COLI of 49.3. 6% cheaper
Overall, Shanghai is approximately 6% cheaper than Rome based on our cost of living index. Rome has a COLI of 49.3 (ranked #57 of 182 cities), while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2 (ranked #60).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Rome averages $1,200/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. That makes Shanghai approximately 8% cheaper for rent alone.
Rome has lower total deductions (34.3%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Rome. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn €63,592 in Rome, you would need approximately ¥473,147 in Shanghai to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 6% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Rome (EUR) | Shanghai (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | €75,242 | ¥559,827 |
| Software Engineer | €35,531 | ¥264,363 |
| Product Manager | €41,801 | ¥311,015 |
| Lawyer | €41,801 | ¥311,015 |
| Data Scientist | €39,711 | ¥295,464 |
| Marketing Manager | €30,097 | ¥223,931 |
| Teacher | €20,065 | ¥149,287 |
| Nurse | €24,245 | ¥180,389 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Centro Storico | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Parioli | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Monti | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Prati | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Trastevere | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Jing'an | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Xuhui (French Concession) | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Lujiazui (Pudong) | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Xintiandi | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Huangpu (The Bund) | 1.22x (+22%) |
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Open Salary ConverterRome is more expensive overall. Rome has a COLI of 49.3 while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2, making Shanghai approximately 6% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Rome, you would need approximately ¥473,147 in Shanghai.
Average one-bedroom rent in Rome is $1,200/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. Shanghai has lower rent by approximately 8%.
Rome has lower total deductions (34.3%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Rome.
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.