How are prices in Taiwan, honestly?【2025】

Here’s a look at Taiwan’s cost of living based on the real experiences of a person currently living in Taiwan. You’ll also find tips on how to enjoy your tripใ

We’ve summarized useful money-related travel info like “What’s expensive and what’s cheap?”, so you can plan smarter.

So, is Taiwan cheap or expensive?

Conclusion: It depends on the item, but overall Taiwan is not particularly cheap.

Many things feel pricey, such as hotel stays, restaurant and café prices, fresh food at supermarkets, and imported branded goods.

For example:

• Lunch at a stylish café: about $13 USD

• Café latte: about $5 USD

• Milk at the supermarket: around $3 USD per carton

But not everything is expensive!

Some things are very affordable:

• A bowl of braised pork rice or noodles at a local eatery: around $3 USD

• Milk tea from a street drink shop: about $2 USD

• Bus fare: around $0.50 USD

• MRT (subway) fare starts from about $0.65 USD

You can eat well for under $7 USD for a meal + drink.

Taiwan’s dining culture

Taiwan has a strong culture of street food and local eateries, and many households don’t cook regularly due to busy lifestyles.

This makes daily meals affordable and diverse, without needing to visit restaurants.

How to travel Taiwan affordably

• Eat at local restaurants or night markets.

• Instead of cafés, try unique Taiwanese drinks from drink stands.

• Choose local dishes over imported Western cuisine.

Taiwan has countless delicious local foods, and you can enjoy the country fully without spending much.

Get to know Taiwan more on our Blog