Skyline of Tianjin
Cost of Living: 110 13,866,000

天津 (Tianjin), China

A major port city near Beijing, known for its European-style architecture from colonial concessions and a growing advanced manufacturing sector.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Tianjin is a city in Tianjin with a population of 13,866,000. A major port city near Beijing, known for its European-style architecture from colonial concessions and a growing advanced manufacturing sector. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 250 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs China Avg (100)

Housing Index 145

Above Average

Median Income ¥82,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Tianjin vs China Average

Cost of Living
Tianjin: 110
China Avg: 100
Housing Index
Tianjin: 145
China Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Tianjin: 3%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ¥82,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 13,866,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 87°F
  • Winter Low: 18°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: ¥2,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: ¥2400/mo

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Cost of Living

Tianjin's cost of living index is 110 (China average = 100).

CategoryTianjinNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing145100+45.0%

Data source: NBS China / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price¥2,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)¥2400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)¥3,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft¥1,333

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 Tianjin:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity¥200
Heating & Cooling¥122Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)¥6Estimated 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¥508Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NDRC, State Grid, China Telecom 2025

Remote Work Score

Tianjin scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
¥2400
Sunny Days
250
Tax
3%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
87°F / 18°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
13,866,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Tianjin has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January38°F18°F2.5"
April72°F33°F2.8"
July87°F62°F1.5"
October67°F36°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Tianjin 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 4.5%.

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

11
Universities
#151
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University Tianjin University

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

Demographics

The population of Tianjin 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 Tianjin, China?

The cost of living index in Tianjin is 110, which is Higher the China national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Tianjin is ¥2,000,000. The housing index is 145.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tianjin is approximately ¥2400/mo.

Does Tianjin, TJ have income tax?

Tianjin is in TJ, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Tianjin?

Tianjin enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 87°F, while winter lows can drop to around 18°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.