Haiyang vs Taichung
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Haiyang is approximately 11% less expensive than Taichung based on cost of living including rent. This makes Haiyang a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Haiyang has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Haiyang is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Haiyang
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Taichung
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
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About Taichung
Taichung is the sweet spot for anyone who wants Taipei's food and internet speed without Taipei's rent, and at $377/mo for a one-bedroom in the center, it is almost absurdly cheap. The catch is the local economy: an average monthly net salary of $628/mo means most newcomers are earning remotely, and the Gold Card's $4,977/mo income floor keeps the bargain hunting to a well-paid crowd. Add 120 Mbps internet, a $9/mo transit pass, and a large, active expat scene in the West District and Beitun, and you have a city that rewards remote workers far more than it rewards local job seekers. The subtropical climate and an air quality index of 68 are the trade-offs you accept for the price.
About Taiwan
No retirement visa exists, and the digital nomad route demands $4,977/month income (remote work allowed), so budget retirees are locked out. This suits high-earning remote workers who want elite healthcare (86.5 index), high safety (82.9), and fast internet, and can tolerate a complex path to permanent residency and 40% top tax rates.
Haiyang costs roughly 86% less than Taichung. Taichung leads on digital nomad infrastructure, with faster average internet speeds. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Haiyang is approximately 11% less expensive than Taichung based on cost of living including rent. This makes Haiyang a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Haiyang has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Haiyang is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Haiyang
Haiyang is a budget-friendly Chinese coastal city that delivers solid value for expats, with a one-bedroom in the center costing just $340/mo and a comfortable single-person budget of $2,200/mo. The small expat community and limited English proficiency mean you'll need to rely on Mandarin or translation apps, but the decent safety index of 65 and good healthcare quality make daily life manageable. Its FIRE score of 83/100 is the standout, though digital nomads and retirees will find the 78 Mbps internet and 61/100 retiree score merely adequate. If you're cost-focused and don't mind a quiet, less international scene, Haiyang works; for those craving a larger expat network or faster English integration, look elsewhere.
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.
$1,600/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Taichung
Taichung is the sweet spot for anyone who wants Taipei's food and internet speed without Taipei's rent, and at $377/mo for a one-bedroom in the center, it is almost absurdly cheap. The catch is the local economy: an average monthly net salary of $628/mo means most newcomers are earning remotely, and the Gold Card's $4,977/mo income floor keeps the bargain hunting to a well-paid crowd. Add 120 Mbps internet, a $9/mo transit pass, and a large, active expat scene in the West District and Beitun, and you have a city that rewards remote workers far more than it rewards local job seekers. The subtropical climate and an air quality index of 68 are the trade-offs you accept for the price.
About Taiwan
No retirement visa exists, and the digital nomad route demands $4,977/month income (remote work allowed), so budget retirees are locked out. This suits high-earning remote workers who want elite healthcare (86.5 index), high safety (82.9), and fast internet, and can tolerate a complex path to permanent residency and 40% top tax rates.
$1,687/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Haiyang | Taichung |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $340 | $376.67 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $250 | $500 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $630 | $1200 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $450 | $900 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 78Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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