China Service Prices 2026: What Things Actually Cost (So You Don't Get Ripped Off)
Stay2CN Community Update | Services & Classifieds | May 2026One of the hardest things about moving to a new country is figuring out what things SHOULD cost. Without a baseline, you either overpay constantly or annoy vendors by lowballing.
Here's my 2026 price guide for common services in major Chinese cities. Use it as your reference point.
Home Services
House cleaner (per visit): ¥40–60/hour in Shanghai/Beijing, ¥25–40/hour in second-tier cities
Aircon repair: ¥100–200 service fee + parts. Simple recharge: ¥150–250
Plumber: ¥80–150 for basic fixes (leaky faucet, clogged drain). Major pipe work: ¥300–600
Electrician: ¥100–200 per job. Replacing outlets/fixtures: ¥50–100 each
WiFi installation: Usually free with contract. Standalone: ¥100–200
Moving & Logistics
Local move (same city, 1-bedroom apt): ¥300–600 including truck and 2 workers
Intercity move (Beijing → Shanghai, small load): ¥1,500–3,000
International shipping (per cubic meter): ¥2,000–4,000 to US/Europe. Takes 4–8 weeks.
Storage unit (monthly, small): ¥200–500 depending on city and size
Personal Services
Haircut (local barber): ¥30–80. Trendy salon: ¥150–400
Dry cleaning (per item): ¥15–40 for shirts, ¥40–100 for coats/suits
Laundry service (per kg): ¥8–15. Most apartments have washing machines though.
Manicure: ¥50–150. Gel: ¥100–250
Massage (legit, 60 min): ¥80–200 at local places, ¥300–600 at hotel spas
Tech & Repairs
iPhone screen replacement: ¥300–800 depending on model (non-Apple parts). Apple Store: ¥1,500+
Laptop repair (basic): ¥100–300 diagnostic + labor. Parts extra.
Bike repair (flat tire): ¥10–20. Seriously.
Phone unlocking: ¥50–150
Language & Education
Private Chinese tutor (1 hour): ¥100–300 depending on experience
Online tutor (iTalki, etc.): $8–25 USD/hour
Yoga class (drop-in): ¥80–150
Gym membership (monthly): ¥200–600 depending on gym quality
How to Avoid Getting Overcharged
• Ask for prices upfront. In writing if possible (WeChat message counts).
• Get 2–3 quotes for any job over ¥500.
• Check Dianping (大众点评) for service reviews and price ranges.
• Don't pay 100% upfront for big jobs. 30% deposit, 70% on completion is standard.
• If a price feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your gut.
Prices Change by City
Rough multiplier guide:
• Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen: 1.0x (baseline)
• Hangzhou/Guangzhou/Chengdu: 0.8x
• Xi'an/Kunming/Changsha: 0.6x
• Smaller cities: 0.4–0.5x
What services have you used in China? Did you feel you paid a fair price, or did you learn the hard way?
Stay2CN Team
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