How much do you need to earn to live here, after Taiwan takes its share?
Here's the gross monthly salary that covers rent, food, transport, and utilities once Taiwan's tax system has taken its cut. (2026)
The floor in Taichung is roughly NT$24,299/month gross, on a lean budget.
For something that feels comfortable, think NT$31,195/month gross (NT$29,851 net after ~4% tax).
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | NT$10,000 Cheapest neighborhood (North District) | NT$14,500 Median neighborhood | NT$16,000 Premium neighborhood (West District) |
| Groceries | NT$6,500 | NT$7,800 | NT$9,750 |
| Transport | NT$800 | NT$800 | NT$800 |
| Utilities | NT$1,950 | NT$1,950 | NT$1,950 |
| Dining & Entertainment | NT$4,000 | NT$4,800 | NT$6,000 |
| Total Monthly Expenses | NT$23,250 | NT$29,850 | NT$34,500 |
NT$24,299/month gross
NT$31,195/month gross
NT$36,055/month gross
Second-hand 1BR rents across 4 neighborhoods in Taichung.
North District
8 min by walk
NT$10,000 - NT$15,000
Nantun
20 min by bus
NT$11,000 - NT$17,000
Xitun
15 min by bus
NT$12,000 - NT$18,000
West District
5 min by walk
NT$13,000 - NT$19,000
Xitun
15 min by bus
NT$12,000 - NT$18,000
Nantun
20 min by bus
NT$11,000 - NT$17,000
All 4 neighborhoods, the full expense sheet, and what you could save.
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We add up monthly expenses (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, dining out) for each lifestyle tier, then work backwards to find the gross salary that lands on that number after Taiwan's income tax and social contributions. Rent data reflects second-hand listings, which is what expats actually pay. All figures come from 2026 official government statistics. Full attribution lives on our data sources page.
On a budget lifestyle, you need at least NT$24,299/month gross salary to cover basic expenses in Taichung. For a comfortable lifestyle, aim for NT$31,195/month gross. These figures include rent, food, transport, utilities, and dining out, with taxes calculated for Taiwan.
The average 1-bedroom rent across 4 neighborhoods in Taichung is approximately NT$14,375/month. Rents range from NT$10,000 in North District to NT$19,000 in West District.
Monthly groceries for a single person in Taichung cost approximately NT$6,500. This covers basic home cooking. Dining out and premium food will add to this budget.
Tax rates in Taiwan are progressive. At the budget salary level of NT$24,299/month, the effective tax rate is approximately 4%. At the comfortable level of NT$31,195/month, it rises to approximately 4%. This includes income tax and social contributions.