Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo

Jinshi is approximately less expensive than Banan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Jinshi a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Jinshi has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 59, suggesting moderate safety levels.

Recommended profile: Jinshi is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.

Side by side

Best in row

China

Banan

Increased Caution
FIRE84

China

Jinshi

Increased Caution
Nomad55
Cost
Cost of living index
-
-
One person, excluding rent
$1,550/mo
$1,550/mo
Family of four, excluding rent
$5,600/mo
$5,600/mo
Total monthly, rent included
$1,300/mo
-
Monthly savings
$1,700/mo
Best in row. $3,000/mo
Housing
1BR, city centre
$300
-
1BR, outside centre
$220
-
3BR, city centre
$600
-
3BR, outside centre
$450
-
Scores
FIRE score
71/100
-
Nomad score
48/100
48/100
Retiree score
Best in row. 60/100
48/100
Overall score
Best in row. 84/100
55/100
Safety & infrastructure
Safety index
Best in row. 78
59
Internet speed
Best in row. 90 Mbps
69 Mbps
Walkability score
-
-

Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.

About these cities

About Banan

Banan is a cheap bet on Chongqing's sprawl, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $300/mo and a single adult scraping by on $750/mo. The catch is that English proficiency is limited, the expat community is small, and the air quality index of 68 will test your lungs on bad days. Strong scores for FIRE (86/100) and overall expat life (84/100) sit oddly beside a retiree score of 65/100, so this is a place for the young and frugal, not the settled. Come for the low rent and 90 Mbps internet, stay only if you can handle the humidity and the isolation.

About China

China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.

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Banan vs Jinshi -- Frequently Asked Questions

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