Response from Englishman in zz
Zhengzhou
Monthly Income
16,700
Monthly Savings
If I don’t go crazy, probably 5000 yuan
Income Breakdown
This is after tax, all from full-time salary
Accommodation
3800 rent, 200 management fees
Monthly Expenses
Transportation
10 yuan a day (subway, bike share, bus)
Utilities
300 inc internet/phone. But this goes up dramatically during summer for A/C (35 yuan per day June-Sept) and a 2000 yuan payment for heat Nov-March.
Food
30 to 50 per day for all meals if home cooked, anywhere between 30-300 for meal out, monthly total around 2000
Nightlife
Once a week probably 400-500 a night out, so 1500-2000 total.
Standard of Living
Very good, but you have to find things to do in third tier cities. First and second tier cities drain your wallet much faster
Local Bargains
Transport. 40+ cities have subway, and max cost to cross the whole network is 5 yuan. Buses cost 1 or 2 yuan the whole of the route. Bike share is 1.5 yuan for 15 minutes. Didi (Uber) is about 30-50 yuan for a 20-40 min ride.
Minimum Survival Income
Min 10,000 a month, but if you can live frugally maybe 8000.