City, Taiwan
Cost of living in Kaohsiung
How much a month costs in Kaohsiung
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,410–2,130 (NT$45,000–68,000).
Prices in Kaohsiung
Typical 2026 ranges in TWD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | TWD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | NT$12,000–22,000 | $377–691 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | NT$8,000–14,000 | $251–439 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | NT$400–750 | $13–24 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | NT$1,500–3,200 | $47–100 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | NT$70–160 | $2.2–5.0 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | NT$250–650 | $8–20 |
| Cappuccino | NT$80–140 | $2.5–4.4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | NT$100–180 | $3.1–5.6 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | NT$20–60 | $0.6–1.9 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | NT$180–290 | $5.6–9.1 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | NT$800–2,000 | $25–63 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | NT$300–600 | $9.4–18.8 |
Value for money: 74/100
A value score of 74/100 means Kaohsiung gives more quality of life per dollar than 73% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 86/100. It's the 5th most affordable of 13 places we cover in Taiwan.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Internet | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Taiwan
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Hualien | $1,130–1,730 | 82/100 |
| Taitung | $1,130–1,730 | 84/100 |
| Kenting | $1,260–1,880 | 68/100 |
| Tainan | $1,320–2,040 | 75/100 |
| Kaohsiung | $1,410–2,130 | 74/100 |
| Jiufen | $1,410–2,200 | 67/100 |
| Sun Moon Lake | $1,410–2,200 | 68/100 |
| Alishan | $1,410–2,200 | 68/100 |
| Xiaoliuqiu | $1,410–2,200 | 70/100 |
| Taichung | $1,510–2,260 | 67/100 |
| Penghu | $1,510–2,350 | 66/100 |
| Hsinchu | $1,570–2,510 | 61/100 |
| Taipei | $1,880–2,820 | 51/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Kaohsiung
Similar safety, lower cost, in East Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Takayama | Japan | $1,080–1,710 |
| Kawaguchiko | Japan | $1,010–1,650 |
| Nikko | Japan | $1,080–1,710 |
| Hualien | Taiwan | $1,130–1,730 |
| Hakone | Japan | $1,140–1,770 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Kaohsiung?
About $816–1,130 on a lean budget, $1,410–2,130 for a comfortable month and $2,820–4,710 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Kaohsiung?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs NT$12,000–22,000 ($377–691) a month in the center and NT$8,000–14,000 ($251–439) outside it.
How much does food cost in Kaohsiung?
A local meal is NT$70–160 ($2.2–5.0); a mid-range restaurant is NT$250–650 ($8–20) per person.
More about Kaohsiung
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Kaohsiung Rapid Transit
- Kaohsiung Tourism
- Taiwan High Speed Rail
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.