Zhongli City (Jhongli) vs Chiayi: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Zhongli City (Jhongli) costs roughly 3% less than Chiayi. Chiayi has significantly faster average internet speeds (115 Mbps vs 85 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Chiayi is approximately 34% less expensive than Zhongli City (Jhongli) based on cost of living including rent. This makes Chiayi a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Chiayi has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 78, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Chiayi is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Zhongli City (Jhongli)
Taiwan's budget-conscious alternative to Taipei, Jhongli delivers geo-arbitrage firepower with a 1BR outside the center at just $214/mo. Choose this over the capital if you prioritize extreme housing savings over English fluency and a large expat bubble. Retirees should note the moderate air quality index of 68 and limited English, which demand more local adaptation.
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.
$2,337/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Chiayi
Chiayi is a cheap, safe, low-key Taiwanese city that rewards anyone willing to trade big-city buzz for real breathing room. A single adult can live on a budget tier of $504/mo including rent, with a city center one-bedroom at $376/mo and a $12/mo public transport pass, which is remarkable even against a local net salary of $2,102/mo. The catches are real: English proficiency is limited, the expat community is small and centered on the East District, and the air quality index of 68 is nothing to brag about. Come for the FIRE math and the 76/100 expat score, not for career ambition or a buzzing international scene.
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.
$2,303/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visa routes in this countryBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Zhongli City (Jhongli) | Chiayi |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $502.23 | $375.78 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $213.45 | $250.52 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1098.63 | $980 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $784.74 | $720 |
| Safety Index | 80 | 78 |
| Internet Speed | 85.2Mbps | 115Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Zhongli City (Jhongli) | Chiayi |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $705/mo | $741/mo |
| Excluding rent | $492/mo | $490/mo |
| Rent | $213/mo | $251/mo |
| Groceries | $213/mo | $228/mo |
| Dining out | $47.00/mo | $47.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $87.00/mo | $92.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $145/mo | $111/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $12.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Chiayi? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Taiwan and Taiwan.
Compare visas →Explore Taiwan
Zhongli City (Jhongli) vs Chiayi -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Chiayi
Find hotels in Chiayi
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Chiayi
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Chiayi
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Chiayi
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Chiayi
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →