Taiwan’s Living Costs

Taiwan’s living costs aren’t too high, depending on your lifestyle. Throughout this guide, I’ll cover everyday living expenses in Taiwan. Read on to learn more.

I’ve lived in Taiwan for more than 5 years and have studied various ways to save money. To help you plan your living situation in Taiwan, I’ve compiled average prices based on my (and other folks’) experiences.

Summary

• A one-bedroom apartment in the city will cost, on average, NT$12,000–30,000/mo.
• Internet costs are usually included with rent.
• Owning a car is expensive because you’ll need to pay for fuel, insurance, & parking.
• It’s cheap to eat out, but cooking at home is still cheaper.

Taiwan Apartment Rent Price

Prices for apartment rentals throughout Taiwan include [1]:

Apartment Type	Price
One-bedroom apartment in the city	NT$12,000–30,000/mo.
One-bedroom apartment outside the city	NT$8,000–18,000/mo.
Three-bedroom apartment in the city	NT$30,000–80,000/mo.
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city	NT$21,000–50,000/mo.

These prices will differ by city. For instance, living in downtown Taipei would cost much more than living in the countryside in Hsinchu.

I further compare the average pricing for rent in various popular Taiwan cities in a different guide. Check it out if you need help finding somewhere to live.

When staying in Taiwan, you’ll need to consider average utility prices.

How Much Are Utilities in Taiwan?

Here are the average rates for utilities in Taiwan [2, 3 (PDF link), 4]:

Utility	Price
Electricity	NT$2.8–5 per kWh
* Broadband Internet	NT$909/mo.
Water	NT$200–300/mo.
Gas	NT$250/mo.

* Fiber to the “X” (FTTX) internet from Chunghwa Telecom’s HiNet internet service provider. Speeds for this price are 100 Mbps downstream and 40 Mbps upstream.

I’m passionate about internet service providers (ISP).

And Taiwan’s home internet providers bug me a bit. Some ISPs in Taiwan include HiNet, SoNet, Seednet, Taiwan Mobile, and Home+.

Most internet plans I’ve found are only:

• Asymmetric: unequal download and upload speeds
• ADSL: asymmetric digital subscriber line
• FTTx: fiber to the premises (X)

Fiber to the “X” DOESN’T mean you have 100% fiber optic internet. In some cases, you can, though.

Based on providers in other countries I’ve researched (e.g., Verizon Fios), true fiber internet equals symmetric speeds.

So I suspect the final mile isn’t fiber. “Final mile” being the internet connection type you use.

I don’t know whether this is true, so don’t quote me.

Based on my experience with American ISPs, they’ve had hidden fees. Taiwanese service providers make it difficult to find these hidden costs. I recommend visiting the service provider’s store and checking the prices.

When you’re getting out of your room, you’ll need to know the prices of getting around Taiwan.

Taiwan Public Transportation Costs

Here are the average costs for getting around Taiwan [5, 6]:

Transportation Method	Fare
One-way Metro ticket	NT$20–60
Long distance bus fare	NT$15–30 (one way)
YouBike rental	NT$5–NT$40 per 30 min.
* Taiwan High Speed Rail Train Ticket	At least NT$1,480 (one way)
** Taiwan Railway Association Train Ticket	NT$1.06–NT$2.27 per km
Taxi Start by city	NT$70–100
Taxi cost	NT$17.95–20 per km
*** Uber Ride	NT$14.5 per km

* One-way ticket for non-reserved seats.

** Rates depend on the type of train you take.

*** These prices vary by the type of Uber you use (e.g., uberX).

Don’t take the Uber rates too seriously. The only source I could find doesn’t seem to be the most reliable information. But it’s a benchmark.

Uber rates will vary by city, time of day, and other factors.

Taiwan has several metros. Since many of you reading this article will use Taipei’s Metro, I listed the average rates for that MRT. And if you need a guide on Taipei’s subway system, read here.

Personal Vehicle Costs in Taiwan

Here are the prices of owning a personal vehicle in Taiwan:

Vehicle Type or Service	Price
Parking lots	NT$20+/hr.
2021 Toyota Camry L	NT$708,180
Car insurance, registration, and fuel tax combined (one year)	NT$18,000–25,000
Car parking Fee	NT$3,000–6,000/mo.
Gasoline	NT$119.619 per gal.
GoStation battery swapping	NT$299–1,199/mo.

Taiwan Living Essential Costs

Here are the prices for essential living costs in Taiwan [7, 8 (HTTP PDF link]

Essential	Price
EasyCard	NT$100 (one-time)
Gym membership	NT$800–1,500/mo.
SIM card	NT$499–920/mo.
Laundry detergent (3 liters)	NT$155
Garbage (Per Bag)	NT$1.00–5.00
Garbage Collection Per House	NT$3.7–4.1 per ton
Costco Membership	NT$1,350/yr.

Taiwan has an interesting trash system. If you’re familiar with America’s trash system, you pay a monthly fee, throw your crap in an outside can, and wait for someone to collect it.

Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Taichung City (one district) require you to chase after trash trucks. You MUST pack your trash in government-approved garbage bags. They don’t cost much. And you can find them at many Taiwanese shops.

It doesn’t matter what type of bags you use for recycling.

Other cities require you to pay per ton.

If you have a Costco Membership from another country, you can transfer it to Taiwan. And I recommend doing so. Taiwan’s Costco stores offer some of the best value for bulk purchases.

For instance, they sell Arm & Hammer detergent. From my experience, it gives you the best value.

And if you need help finding a prepaid SIM card in Taiwan, explore a guide I wrote.

EasyCards. They’re a cashless means to pay for various goods and services throughout Taiwan. I also wrote a guide for it.

Here’s another essential for living.

Groceries Prices in Taiwan

Here are examples of grocery costs in Taiwan:

Food Item	Price
Average groceries	NT$3,600/mo.
Loaf of bread	NT$54
Regular eggs (x12)	NT$74
Rice (1 kg)	NT$88
Milk (1 liter)	NT$94
Fruit juice (1.5 liters)	NT$100
Orange juice (0.3 liters)	NT$35
Oranges	NT$90
Grapes	NT$200
Tomatoes	NT$90
Bacon	NT$210–230
Ready-made noodles	NT$17–22
Yellow cheese (1 kilogram)	NT$656

The cheapest way to get meat and produce is from wet markets. You’ll find them everywhere in Taiwan. They have a handful of stands with locals selling various foods.

I buy everything from hypermarkets and supermarkets, though. So I can’t help you much with buying from these vendors.

It’s a personal preference. And if you’re like me, go for PX Mart, Costco, Carrefour, or A-Mart.

They don’t charge too much for food. And you can find a decent variety. Costco and Carrefour will have the most international foods, though.

At a higher price, of course.

Costs for Eating Out in Taiwan

The costs for eating out at restaurants, cafés, and street food stands include:

Meal, Beverage, or Restaurant	Price
Drink at a bar	NT$150+
Cappuccino	NT$81
Bottled water	NT$8.00–20
Meal at McDonald’s	NT$135
Mid-range restaurant meal for two	NT$800
Inexpensive restaurant meal for one	NT$45–100
Street food	NT$15–250

By street foods, I’m referring to Taiwanese night markets. Here’s a guide I wrote on what foods you should try at a number of them.

Most night markets throughout Taiwan have identical pricing. At some tourist-focused markets (like Shilin) you may see higher prices. Since the locals are targeting tourists.

I haven’t been there within the last year. So these prices may have changed.

How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Taiwan?

Here are the average costs for Taiwan’s healthcare:

Copay or Medication	Cost
Hospital Visit Copay w/o	NT$300–3,000
Clinic visit Copay w/o insurance	NT$500
Clinic Visit Copay w/ Insurance	NT$150
Hospital Visit Copay w/ Insurance	NT$350
Cold medicine	NT$196

The amount you’ll pay for Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) depends on how much the government and your boss contribute to your premium.

Freelancers (self-employed folks) must pay 100% of the premium [9]. That’s NT$1,839. In many scenarios, people will pay NT$826 monthly.

In case you’re curious, here are the pros and cons of Taiwan’s healthcare system.

Personal Care Costs in Taiwan

Health and personal care prices in many places throughout Taiwan are as follows:

Item	Price
Toothpaste (1 tube)	NT$84
Men’s haircut	NT$800–1,500
Laundry detergent (3 liters)	NT$287
Toilet paper (4 rolls)	NT$52
Box of tampons (x32)	NT$279
Deodorant	NT$190

Here are entertainment costs in Taiwan:

Item or Venue	Price
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro)	NT$90
Domestic beer	NT$20–50 per can
Night club entry fee	NT$300+
Movie theater ticket	NT$581

Many of these prices were sourced from a survey of family income and expenditures in Taiwan [10]. Many of these prices are also sourced from first-hand experience in Taipei and New Taipei cities.

If you’re outside these cities, you’ll likely pay less for the various categories I listed.

FAQs: Taiwan Living Costs

Read through these commonly asked questions about Taiwan living costs. Determine how much money you’ll need when moving to the island nation.

More Guides for Visitors

• TPASS Transportation Card Guide07/10/2023
• Taiwan Packing List03/01/2023
• Taiwan Tourist Visa Guide02/23/2023
• Taiwan Hot Springs: An Overview01/26/2023
• Taiwan Travel Costs12/10/2022
• Taiwan Winter Packing List10/28/2022
• How to Rent a Car in Taiwan10/27/2022