Taiwan (TW)
A safe, democratic, tech-forward island with excellent public healthcare, dense transit, world-class food culture, and a strong base for East Asia.
Capital: Taipei
Region: Asia
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Currency: TWD (NT$)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 58)
Emergency: 110
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Taiwan — 2026 data in TWD.
58
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.
Food & Groceries
Bread (450g sliced loaf) NT$40–70
Milk (1L) NT$60–90
Eggs (12) NT$70–120
Chicken breast (1kg) NT$180–280
Pasta (500g) NT$50–90
Beer (0.5L, Taiwan Beer, supermarket) NT$45–70
Wine (750ml, domestic) NT$350–800
Monthly groceries for 1 person NT$7,000–14,000
Dining Out
Lunch box (biandang 便當, iconic) NT$90–160
Night market snack (stinky tofu / oyster omelette) NT$80–200
Casual restaurant meal NT$200–500
Pearl milk tea (bubble tea, iconic) NT$50–120
Beer in a bar (0.5L Taiwan Beer draught) NT$100–200
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) NT$800–2,000
Rent
1-bed apartment, Taipei central (Da'an / Xinyi / Zhongshan) NT$28,000–55,000/month
1-bed apartment, New Taipei or Taoyuan NT$16,000–32,000/month
Room in shared apartment, Taipei NT$9,000–20,000/month
2-bed apartment, Taipei (expat area) NT$45,000–80,000/month
Utilities (electricity, water, gas) NT$2,000–5,500/month (higher summer AC)
Short-stay furnished studio NT$25,000–55,000/month
Transport
Taipei MRT single fare (EasyCard) NT$20–35
TPASS monthly (Taipei metro + bus) NT$399
TPASS monthly (all-Taiwan bus + metro network) NT$1,200
THSR Taipei–Zuoying (high-speed rail, standard seat) NT$1,490
Taxi start fare (Taipei) NT$85–100
Petrol (1L, 95 octane) NT$32–38
Monthly parking (Taipei) NT$3,000–8,000
Health & Insurance
NHI contribution (employed, employee share) ~2.35% of insured salary
NHI clinic visit copay NT$150–300
NHI specialist / hospital copay NT$300–600
Private dental cleaning (limited NHI coverage) NT$1,000–3,000
Private international health insurance (monthly) NT$3,000–12,000
Utilities
Electricity (Taipower, monthly, 1-bed) NT$800–3,000 (summer AC increases cost)
Water (monthly) NT$200–500
Gas (monthly) NT$300–800
Home fibre / cable internet NT$700–1,500/month
Mobile unlimited plan (Chunghwa / Far EasTone) NT$499–1,399/month
Childcare
Public kindergarten (5–6 years, government-subsidised) NT$2,000–6,000/month
Private kindergarten NT$8,000–30,000+/month
International school tuition (annual) NT$600,000–1,200,000
Cram school (補習班) per subject (monthly) NT$3,000–12,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket NT$300–450
Gym membership (monthly) NT$1,000–2,500
Museum entrance (National Palace Museum) NT$150–350
KTV karaoke room (per hour) NT$200–500
Hot spring (溫泉 day pass) NT$400–1,200
Sports club membership (monthly) NT$2,000–5,000
Haircut (men's) NT$200–600
Haircut (women's) NT$600–2,000
Cost of Living
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