Response from TheBard
Bengbu
Monthly Income
6000
Monthly Savings
Not much, maybe 2k per month. 3k on a really good month.
Income Breakdown
Full-time salary. This was in 2014 though, mind you. Back then, this is what universities would pay. It wasn't really a full-time job, though, as you were only contracted for 16 classes a week (actual working time 12-13 hours), no office hours.
Accommodation
On campus housing was provided by the university.
Monthly Expenses
Transportation
200 rmb or so, taxis were dirt cheap (pretty sure they still are)
Utilities
If I recall correctly, the university would take care of it.
Food
Maybe 1000 rmb per month between eating out and grocery shopping. We would often eat out in large groups, and the bill would come out to less than 100 rmb each.
Nightlife
Never really been a big drinker.. Maybe 200-300rmb per month?
Standard of Living
It was comfortable. I was actually able to save enough money to travel in South East Asia during the summer / winter vacation, and we got paid over the holidays as well.
Local Bargains
Eating out, for sure. Not sure it's still that affordable in 2025, but it used to be dirt cheap. Taxis as well.
Minimum Survival Income
I am pretty frugal, I reckon someone else might find 6k to be barely enough to survive! I am not sure how much the cost of living has gone up over the last 10 years, but I know universities pay a lot more now - almost double -, and while inflation has no doubt pushed prices up, my educated guess is that Bengbu still remains a very affordable city compared to many others.