Zhongli City (Jhongli) vs Chang-hua: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Chang-hua costs roughly 7.5x less than Zhongli City (Jhongli). Zhongli City (Jhongli) has significantly faster average internet speeds (85 Mbps vs 62 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Chang-hua is approximately 96% less expensive than Zhongli City (Jhongli) based on cost of living including rent. This makes Chang-hua a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Chang-hua has a FIRE Score of 94/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 82, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Chang-hua 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 Chang-hua
Chang-hua is the rare Taiwanese city where a single adult can live comfortably on a budget of $417/mo, with a 1-bedroom apartment outside the center going for just $173/mo. The trade-off is real: English proficiency is limited, the air quality index sits at 68, and the nearest airport is RMQ, 24 km away. But with an overall expat score of 94/100 and a safety index of 82/100, this subtropical city of 226 thousand punches far above its weight for remote workers and early retirees chasing a low cost of living.
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.
$2,434/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Zhongli City (Jhongli) | Chang-hua |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $502.23 | $256.35 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $213.45 | $172.64 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1098.63 | $502.23 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $784.74 | $172.64 |
| Safety Index | 80 | 82 |
| Internet Speed | 85.2Mbps | 62Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Zhongli City (Jhongli) | Chang-hua |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $705/mo | $601/mo |
| Excluding rent | $492/mo | $428/mo |
| Rent | $213/mo | $173/mo |
| Groceries | $213/mo | $216/mo |
| Dining out | $47.00/mo | $39.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $87.00/mo | $71.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $145/mo | $67.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $35.00/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.
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Zhongli City (Jhongli) vs Chang-hua -- Frequently Asked Questions
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