Skyline of Guiyang
Cost of Living: 98 5,987,000

贵阳 (Guiyang), China

A mountain city in southwest China, known for its cool summers, Miao and Dong minority cultures, and emerging big data industry.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Guiyang is a city in Guizhou with a population of 5,987,000. A mountain city in southwest China, known for its cool summers, Miao and Dong minority cultures, and emerging big data industry. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. Sunshine is limited, with about 115 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 98

Below Average vs China Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income ¥65,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.9%

Job market health

Guiyang vs China Average

Cost of Living
Guiyang: 98
China Avg: 100
Housing Index
Guiyang: 120
China Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Guiyang: 3%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ¥65,000
  • Unemployment: 4.9%
  • Population: 5,987,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 115/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

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

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Cost of Living

Guiyang's cost of living index is 98 (China average = 100).

CategoryGuiyangNational AverageDifference
Overall98100-2.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: NBS China / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price¥1,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)¥1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)¥1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft¥666

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 Guiyang:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity¥200
Heating & Cooling¥73Estimated 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¥453Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NDRC, State Grid, China Telecom 2025

Remote Work Score

Guiyang scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
98
Rent
¥1500
Sunny Days
115
Tax
3%
Unemployment
4.9%
Climate
82°F / 38°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
5,987,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Guiyang has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April67°F53°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

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

Natural Hazards

Guiyang 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 4.9%.

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.

Demographics

The population of Guiyang 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 Guiyang, China?

The cost of living index in Guiyang is 98, which is Lower the China national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Guiyang is ¥1,000,000. The housing index is 120.

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

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

Does Guiyang, GZ have income tax?

Guiyang is in GZ, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Guiyang?

Guiyang enjoys approximately 115 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°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.