Skyline of Foshan
Cost of Living: 105 9,498,000

佛山 (Foshan), China

A historic city in Guangdong known for its ceramic industry, martial arts heritage (Ip Man, Bruce Lee), and Cantonese opera.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Foshan is a city in Guangdong with a population of 9,498,000. A historic city in Guangdong known for its ceramic industry, martial arts heritage (Ip Man, Bruce Lee), and Cantonese opera. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 105

Above Average vs China Avg (100)

Housing Index 135

Above Average

Median Income ¥76,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.3%

Job market health

Foshan vs China Average

Cost of Living
Foshan: 105
China Avg: 100
Housing Index
Foshan: 135
China Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Foshan: 3%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ¥76,000
  • Unemployment: 4.3%
  • Population: 9,498,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 52°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: ¥1,500,000
  • 1BR Rent: ¥2000/mo

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Cost of Living

Foshan's cost of living index is 105 (China average = 100).

CategoryFoshanNational AverageDifference
Overall105100+5.0%
Housing135100+35.0%

Data source: NBS China / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price¥1,500,000
Median Rent (1BR)¥2000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)¥2,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft¥1,000

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 Foshan:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity¥200
Heating & Cooling¥5Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)¥86Estimated 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¥471Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NDRC, State Grid, China Telecom 2025

Remote Work Score

Foshan scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
105
Rent
¥2000
Sunny Days
190
Tax
3%
Unemployment
4.3%
Climate
93°F / 52°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
9,498,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Foshan has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January72°F52°F2.5"
April78°F67°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F70°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Foshan 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 4.3%.

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

1
Universities
#1512
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Foshan University

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

Demographics

The population of Foshan 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 Foshan, China?

The cost of living index in Foshan is 105, which is Higher the China national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Foshan is ¥1,500,000. The housing index is 135.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Foshan is approximately ¥2000/mo.

Does Foshan, GD have income tax?

Foshan is in GD, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Foshan?

Foshan enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 52°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.