Cost of Living in Taiwan 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD).
Monthly Living Costs in Taiwan
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,060 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,375 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Taiwan Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 49.7 |
| Rent index | 14.2 |
| Groceries index | 64.6 |
| Restaurant price index | 27.4 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 98.9 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 25.3 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Taiwan from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €52,000 |
| IT & Software | €48,000 |
| Engineering | €44,000 |
| Healthcare | €36,000 |
| Construction | €36,000 |
| Education | €32,000 |
| Hospitality | €22,000 |
| Retail | €20,000 |
Taxes in Taiwan
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 13.1% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,792 |
| VAT / sales tax | 5% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 40% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,792 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,060), roughly €4,732 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Taiwan Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | €650 | €280 | €35 | 49.7 |
| China | €650 | €180 | €25 | 50.9 |
| Japan | €850 | €280 | €65 | 62.5 |
| South Korea | €650 | €210 | €52 | 57.6 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Taiwan:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 8 residence and visa routes for Taiwan — see the full Taiwan visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €2,000 per month — Taiwan Employment Gold Card (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,060 per month to sustain a move to Taiwan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taiwan expensive?
Taiwan has a cost-of-living index of 49.7 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a single person spends about €1,060 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Taiwan?
About €1,060 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,375 per month.
What is the average rent in Taiwan?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €950 per month in Taiwan. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Taiwan?
Typical gross annual salaries in Taiwan range from €20,000 (Retail) to €52,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Taiwan?
Among the 8 Taiwan residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €2,000 per month (Taiwan Employment Gold Card). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Taiwan country profile and the Taiwan emigration guide.
Moving to Taiwan from abroad?
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
Is Taiwan a fit for your profile?
Get a personalised assessment — income, savings, profession, and family — in 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Verdict