Skyline of Changchun
Cost of Living: 95 9,066,000

长春 (Changchun), China

Capital of Jilin province, known as China's 'Auto City' as home to FAW Group, with broad boulevards and a park-filled urban landscape.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Changchun is a city in Jilin with a population of 9,066,000. Capital of Jilin province, known as China’s ‘Auto City’ as home to FAW Group, with broad boulevards and a park-filled urban landscape. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 4a growing zone supports Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs China Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income ¥60,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.3%

Job market health

Changchun vs China Average

Cost of Living
Changchun: 95
China Avg: 100
Housing Index
Changchun: 115
China Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Changchun: 3%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.0%
  • Sales Tax: 13.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ¥60,000
  • Unemployment: 5.3%
  • Population: 9,066,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 83°F
  • Winter Low: -5°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4a

Housing

  • Median Home: ¥850,000
  • 1BR Rent: ¥1500/mo

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Cost of Living

Changchun's cost of living index is 95 (China average = 100).

CategoryChangchunNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: NBS China / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price¥850,000
Median Rent (1BR)¥1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)¥1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft¥566

Data source: Anjuke / Beike / Lianjia, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

¥
%
$90,000 down
%
%
¥

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Changchun:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity¥200
Heating & Cooling¥277Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water¥80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)¥100Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities¥657Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NDRC, State Grid, China Telecom 2025

Remote Work Score

Changchun scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
¥1500
Sunny Days
240
Tax
3%
Unemployment
5.3%
Climate
83°F / -5°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
9,066,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Changchun has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January15°F-5°F2.5"
April68°F10°F2.8"
July83°F58°F1.5"
October63°F13°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4a

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Changchun faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Typhoon High Risk

Significant typhoon risk.

Flood High Risk

Major river systems (Yangtze, Yellow River) cause massive floods.

Drought High Risk

Northern and northwestern China experience frequent droughts.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous western China with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Himalayan and Tian Shan region with avalanches.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Forest and grassland wildfires.

Tornado Moderate Risk

China experiences tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Northern China experiences winter storms.

Heat Wave Moderate Risk

Extreme summer heat in southern and central regions.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms from Gobi Desert in northern China.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3%
  • Sales Tax: 13%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.3%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Academic Year September to June/July
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break July to August (6-8 weeks)
Winter Break January/February (4 weeks, Chinese New Year)
Spring Break May Day (1 week)

Winter break coincides with Chinese New Year (Spring Festival). School days are long, often with evening study sessions for older students.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#1621
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Changchun University of Science and Technology

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Changchun is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Han Chinese
91.1%
Hui
0.8%
Manchu
0.8%
Other
5.1%
Uyghur
0.8%
Zhuang
1.4%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
30.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Buddhist
6.0%
Christian
2.0%
Folk
16.0%
Muslim
2.0%
Unaffiliated
74.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: National Bureau of Statistics of China (2020)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Changchun, China?

The cost of living index in Changchun is 95, which is Lower the China national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Changchun?

The median home price in Changchun is ¥850,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Changchun is approximately ¥1500/mo.

Does Changchun, JL have income tax?

Changchun is in JL, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Changchun?

Changchun enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 83°F, while winter lows can drop to around -5°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: NBS China / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Anjuke / Beike / Lianjia, 2026
  • Income & Employment: NBS China Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities NDRC, State Grid, China Telecom 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.