What Shanghai actually looks, feels, and costs like for someone considering moving. Neighbourhoods, climate, transport, healthcare, safety, and the practical scaffolding — every figure sourced.
Country
China (Mainland)
Asia
Population
29,868,000
metro · 2023
Area
6,340 km²
Elevation
4 m
city centre
Time zone
Asia/Shanghai
Currency
CNY
Airport
PVG,SHA · Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Metro
20 metro lines · tram network
Walkability
●●●●○
editorial score · 1–5
Bike friendliness
●●●○○
editorial score · 1–5
Primary language
Mandarin is the working language. Shanghainese commonly spoken locally. English usable in top-tier firms, Lujiazui, Jing'an and expat districts; elsewhere Mandarin is essential.
Shanghai is a city of 29,868,000 people in China (Mainland) (Asia). It is one of China (Mainland)'s largest urban centres. The main international airport is PVG (Shanghai Pudong International Airport). The metro system has 20 lines, alongside a tram network.
A one-bedroom city-centre apartment runs approximately €1,100 per month. Monthly groceries for one person run approximately €280. A monthly public-transport pass costs €40. Across the 100 cities Meridian tracks, Shanghai ranks 44th overall on combined monthly essentials — in the middle of the range.
Shanghai's climate is tropical wet — July is typically the warmest month with average highs around 32°C, while January is the coldest with average lows near 2°C. Annual rainfall totals approximately 1259mm, wettest in June.
Cost of living
Cost of living
Total monthly essentials: approximately €1,505/month EUR-equivalent for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). District and lifestyle swing this 30–50% either way.
Visa policy, taxation, healthcare, and broadband infrastructure are national rather than city-level — the numbers below are China (Mainland)-wide context for someone weighing Shanghai specifically. Each links through to the full country brief.
Five new entry ports were added to the visa-free transit programme on 4 November 2025 — including Guangzhou, Zhuhai's Hengqin, Zhongshan, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the West Kowloon Station — taking the total to 65 ports across 24 provinces. Materially improves cross-border accessibility from Hong Kong to Mainland China.
Who it affects: Travellers entering China at newly-added ports.
Indonesia was added to the 240-hour visa-free transit policy on 12 June 2025, bringing the total list to 55 countries. Reflects continuing post-pandemic opening and strategic engagement with major partner states.
Who it affects: Indonesian travellers transiting China.
On 17 December 2024, the National Immigration Administration extended the visa-free transit policy from 72/144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). 21 new entry/exit ports were added (taking the total to 60); coverage expanded to 24 provinces (added Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, Guizhou). Travellers must hold confirmed interline tickets to a third country.
Who it affects: Citizens of 55 eligible countries transiting through China for tourism / business / family visits.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Shanghai rents for around €1,100 per month. Combined monthly essentials (rent + utilities + groceries + transit) total approximately €1,505 EUR-equivalent. Individual spend varies 30–50% by district and lifestyle.
Is Shanghai expensive compared to other global cities?
Shanghai ranks 44th out of 100 cities Meridian tracks for combined monthly living costs — in the affordable half, and 3rd of 3 within China (Mainland). Rankings use EUR-normalised rent + utilities + groceries + transit.
What's the weather like in Shanghai?
Shanghai sees average summer highs of 32°C in July and winter lows of 2°C in January. Annual rainfall totals about 1259mm. Full monthly breakdown in the Climate section above.
What visa do I need to move to Shanghai?
Shanghai's visa regime is set at the national level — China (Mainland) tracks 4 residence-permit routes including Z Visa (Standard Work), R Visa (High-End Talent), Foreign Worker's Work Permit (Class A/B/C), among others. See the China (Mainland) country brief for full eligibility, salary thresholds, and processing times.
How do you get around in Shanghai?
Shanghai has 20 metro lines plus an extensive tram network; the city centre is highly walkable (Meridian editorial score 4/5). Monthly transit pass cost is in the breakdown above.
What language is spoken in Shanghai?
Mandarin is the working language. Shanghainese commonly spoken locally. English usable in top-tier firms, Lujiazui, Jing'an and expat districts; elsewhere Mandarin is essential.
What is the main airport for Shanghai?
Shanghai's primary international airport is PVG (Shanghai Pudong International Airport). Secondary airports include SHA.