Living in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Kaohsiung is one of the Taiwan destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Kaohsiung city center rents for around TWD 53,000/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages TWD 36,000/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about TWD 11,000 for groceries (single person) and TWD 2,000 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Kaohsiung scores 75, which makes it in the upper-mid cost range.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Kaohsiung starts at roughly TWD 66,000/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost TWD 820 for a mid-range meal and TWD 68 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around TWD 130. Owning a car adds approximately TWD 14,000/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Kaohsiung skip this in favour of public transport or the TWD 2,000/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Taiwan offers a public healthcare system that residents access through social security contributions. Private health insurance for a single expat in Kaohsiung costs around TWD 2,300/month, with a family plan at TWD 6,800. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about TWD 1,900, while specialists charge around TWD 3,400. Families should budget TWD 45,000/month for international schooling, or TWD 24,000/month for a local private school.
Who does Kaohsiung suit best?
Kaohsiung works especially well for senior professionals and families who can absorb top-tier European rent in exchange for infrastructure.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.