Wondering how far your salary goes in Taipei? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
Furnished 1-bed, central (Da'an / Xinyi)NT$25,000-50,000 / mo (US$780-1,560)
Furnished studio (套房), outer districtsNT$13,000-22,000 / mo (US$400-690)
Night-market meal / lunchbox (便當)NT$80-150 (US$2.50-4.70)
Bubble tea / specialty coffeeNT$50-120 (US$1.50-3.70)
MRT ride / EasyCard fareNT$20-65 (US$0.60-2)
NHI premium (Gold Card / self-paid)NT$800-1,300 / mo (US$25-40)
Est. single-person monthly (excl. rent)US$700-1,000
Good to know
Population
~2.6 million (Taipei City); ~7 million (greater Taipei–New Taipei–Keelung)
Languages
Mandarin Chinese (official, Traditional characters); Taiwanese Hokkien widely spoken; English limited but growing
Currency
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$); approx NT$32 = US$1 (2026)
Time zone
National Standard Time (GMT+8), no daylight saving
Power plug
Type A/B (US-style flat 2-pin), 110V / 60Hz
Climate
Humid subtropical; hot wet summers (35°C, very humid), mild winters; typhoon season Jun-Oct; frequent minor earthquakes
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Taipei checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.