Best Cities in China to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Shanghai
70/100Beijing
68/100Shenzhen
63/100Compare cities in China
❓ Living in China — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in China?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Shanghai ranks #1 in China with a score of 70/100, and city-centre rent from around $907/month.
What is the cheapest city in China?▾
Shenzhen has the most affordable city-centre rent in our China data, at around $743/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in China?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Shanghai is the safest city in China in our database, with a rate of 0.5 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Shanghai or Beijing?▾
Shanghai scores 70/100 on our Livability Score vs 68/100 for Beijing. Rent is $907/mo in Shanghai vs $1059/mo in Beijing. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in China?▾
China offers the China Z Visa (Work) (complex process). Duration: 1 year (renewable via work permit). Key requirement: Employer sponsorship required. Work permit graded A/B/C by points (age, education, salary, Chinese skills). Permanent residence technically exists — fewer than 2,000 people get it per year in a country of 1.4 billion.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.