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Xiamen cityscape

Xiamen🇨🇳

China · Cost of living & nomad guide 2026

Photo by Yibo Wang on Unsplash

Who this suits

Families
Population
4,617,251
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nomad community
Small

What it's actually like here

Living in this vibrant coastal Chinese city offers a genuinely affordable base for digital nomads, especially compared to larger global hubs. It's a fantastic fit for those seeking an authentic cultural immersion, away from massive expat bubbles. You'll find the cost of living, particularly for housing, to be quite reasonable, leaving more in your budget for exploring. In terms of infrastructure, you can expect fast and generally reliable internet for your remote work needs. The city feels very safe, allowing you to explore with peace of mind. However, don't expect a huge, established nomad community here; it's a smaller, more intimate scene. English proficiency among locals is also generally low, which can be a charming challenge for integration but might require a bit more effort in daily interactions.

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City metrics

Financial

Rent 1BR (centre)US$650/mo
Rent 1BR (outside)US$420/mo
Cost of living (national avg)42 (US=100, World Bank ICP)
Cheap mealUS$4.00
Mid-range meal for 2US$14.00
Monthly groceries~US$220

Infrastructure

Internet speed100 Mbps
Connectivity score89/100
Healthcare index72/100
Coworking spaces~12

Lifestyle

Safety index75/100
Air quality55 AQI — Moderate
Walkability68/100
Climate score80/100
English proficiencylow
Source: OpenAQ · Global Peace Index · regional statistical agencies · Updated Live + annual

Nomad

Nomad communitySmall
Visa easemedium
Budget score72/100
Lifestyle score75/100
Overall nomad score
68/100
Source: World Bank ICP (cost of living, US=100), Ookla (internet), OpenAQ (air quality) · Updated Quarterly

📍 Xiamen on the map

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Featured neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood guides coming soon for Xiamen.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Xiamen as a digital nomad?+

As of 2026, a 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Xiamen averages around $650 per month. The national cost-of-living index for China sits at 42 (US=100) — sourced from World Bank ICP. City-level detail is coming as we gather it; for now this is a national figure. Nomads typically budget extra for coworking, eating out, and travel.

Is Xiamen safe for digital nomads?+

Xiamen scores 75/100 on our composite safety index, which blends the Global Peace Index, crime stats and traveller-advisory data. Most nomad-friendly neighbourhoods feel comfortable to walk in day and night.

How fast is the internet in Xiamen?+

Headline average internet speed in Xiamen is around 100 Mbps based on Ookla Speedtest data. That's enough for video calls, large file uploads and most remote-work needs in central neighbourhoods — coworking spaces and serviced apartments usually run faster than that.

Community data for this city
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