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Describing the cost of living in Shanghai is very difficult because there is such a diversity of life styles here. The vast majority of employees in Shanghai earn a salary of between 2,000RMB and 4,000RMB per month, although at the other end of the spectrum there are long term expatriates with expense accounts and local wealthy entrepreneurs.
Shanghai is a relatively expensive city to live in, compared with many other cities in Asia because of it’s rapidly growing economy and because of the increased spending power that economic growth has given the Shanghainese people. In particular imported goods, western services and entertainment (for example, many bars and restaurants that are targeted at the expatriate business community) are expensive. However, there is a growing number of much more affordable bars and clubs targeted at students and teachers, who charge around 10 RMB ($1) for a drink.
Although the services and products that cater for foreigners are expensive, the basics of every day life (food, drink, public transport, clothes, stationary, etc.) are very affordable.