Living in Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei is one of the Taiwan destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Taipei city center rents for around TWD 66,000/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages TWD 45,000/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about TWD 13,000 for groceries (single person) and TWD 2,600 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Taipei scores 95, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Taipei starts at roughly TWD 81,600/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost TWD 1,000 for a mid-range meal and TWD 86 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around TWD 170. Owning a car adds approximately TWD 18,000/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Taipei skip this in favour of public transport or the TWD 2,600/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 Taipei costs around TWD 2,800/month, with a family plan at TWD 8,600. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about TWD 2,400, while specialists charge around TWD 4,300. Families should budget TWD 57,000/month for international schooling, or TWD 31,000/month for a local private school.
Who does Taipei suit best?
Taipei 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.