China

Compared with United States, using real observed prices.

Baseline: United States = 1×

China vs

United States

Overall verdict

China is about 0.77× United States.

Average across 5 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs United States = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is United States. A bar running right means China is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

United States United States = 1×

China is pricier →

📱 Electronics 1 item

×1.07
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.89
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.73
⚡ Utilities 2 items

×0.66
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.60

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In China, iPhone (base model, base storage) costs 1.1× what it does in United States — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.4×. Calling this country simply "expensive" hides a gap this wide.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

iPhone (base model, base storage) 1 unit ×1.07

China $884.01 CNY 5,999

United States $829.00 USD 829

Observed 2026-07-27 · Apple official online store
Natural gas 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×1.06

China $0.05 USD 0.051

United States $0.05 USD 0.048

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.03

China $1.18 USD 1.179

United States $1.15 USD 1.146

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×0.77

China $1.05 USD 1.045

United States $1.36 USD 1.356

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.73

China $43.91 CNY 298

United States $59.99 USD 59.99

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.60

China $3.66 CNY 25.5

United States $6.12 USD 6.12

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.40

China $0.08 USD 0.076

United States $0.19 USD 0.188

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com