- Core 1-bedroom (Chaoyang / Dongcheng): ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 / month.
- Within 24 hours of moving into a private home, register with the PSB.
- Set up Alipay / WeChat Pay before moving — rent, deposits and bills are almost all paid through these apps.
What housing types exist?
High-rise apartments & studios
The standard in Chaoyang and Dongcheng and the most common choice for locals and expats. Core studios / 1-bedrooms run ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 ($1,100–$2,075); suburban prices drop sharply.
Co-living (Hezu)
Renting a single room in a shared flat is a mainstream budget option at ¥2,000 – ¥6,500 ($275–$900) / month. Expats often use Wellcee for no-agent-fee co-living.
Serviced apartments
For executives and expats: hotel-like amenities, cleaning and modern fittings. Monthly rent ¥18,000 – ¥55,000 ($2,490–$7,600) by location and luxury.
Villas
3–5 bedroom detached homes, mainly in suburbs like Shunyi, loved by expat families for space. ¥25,000 – ¥50,000 ($3,450–$6,900) / month.
Renovated hutongs
Traditional siheyuan in Beijing's historic quarters. A renovated hutong home runs ¥15,000 – ¥45,000 ($2,075–$6,225) / month.
2026 Beijing rents by type
| Type | Monthly rent (CNY) | Monthly rent (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Co-living (Hezu) | ¥2,000 – ¥6,500 | $275 – $900 |
| Studio / 1-bedroom (core) | ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 | $1,100 – $2,075 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (core) | ¥12,000 – ¥22,000 | $1,660 – $3,040 |
| Renovated hutong | ¥15,000 – ¥45,000 | $2,075 – $6,225 |
| Serviced apartment | ¥18,000 – ¥55,000 | $2,490 – $7,600 |
| Villa (Shunyi) | ¥25,000 – ¥50,000 | $3,450 – $6,900 |
Other rental costs
- Agent fee: typically 50%–100% of one month's rent, often split between landlord and tenant.
- Management / service fee: branded apps like Ziroom charge a mandatory ~10% of monthly rent, covering cleaning and basic repairs.
- Utilities: for an 85 m² apartment, ~¥300 – ¥600 / month (water, electricity, gas, heating).
- Deposit: standard "1+3" (one month rent + three months deposit). Apps often lower it to "1+1".
Can foreigners buy without hukou?
Yes. After the late-2025 stimulus easing, the process is much simpler and the old multi-year tax-record rule no longer strictly applies — but Beijing's foreign-buyer policy is complex and changes often, so check current district rules with the local housing authority.
2026 purchase costs
- Core districts: ¥100,000 – ¥180,000 / m².
- Suburbs: ¥50,000 – ¥100,000 / m².
- Down payment: with late-2025 rate cuts, minimum 25% – 30%.
Step-by-step: secure housing
- Set up e-payment. Download and verify Alipay / WeChat Pay — landlords and apps rely on them for rent and deposits.
- Browse platforms. Use Ziroom, Wellcee or Beike to find listings.
- Ask for the ownership certificate. Before any deposit, view in person and ask for the original 不动产权证 (Fang Chan Zheng).
- Sign & pay. Sign a "1+3" or "1+1" lease and transfer the first payment via e-wallet.
- Complete mandatory registration. Within 24 hours of moving in, register your address at the local station or via the "Beijing Police" WeChat mini-program.
Beijing vs. Shanghai
| Metric | Beijing | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living | ~7–9% cheaper | baseline |
| Avg core 1-bedroom rent | ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 | ¥8,500 – ¥11,000 |
| Core purchase price / m² | ¥100k – ¥150k | ¥120k – ¥180k+ |
| Expat vibe | Traditional / political | International / business |
Monthly budget snapshot (single professional)
| Item | Cost (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Base rent (85 m², core) | ¥10,000 |
| App service fee (10%) | ¥1,000 |
| Utilities, gas & heating | ¥450 |
| Total | ¥11,450 (~$1,580) |
Common mistakes
- "Fake landlord" scams. Sublet scams still happen. Never pay a deposit without seeing the original 不动产权证 proving the payee owns the unit.
- Missing the 24-hour window. Late PSB registration can bring heavy fines and visa-renewal trouble.
- The pre-heating cold gap. Government central heating runs strictly Nov 15 – Mar 15. Modern high-end apartments may have independent gas heating, but older-compound tenants must prepare for cold late-autumn and early-spring weeks.
- Ignoring app hidden fees. Many are surprised by Ziroom's ~10% mandatory monthly service fee — count it into your budget.
FAQ
Can foreigners buy without hukou? Yes — the late-2025 easing lowered the tax-record bar. Policy is complex and shifting, so confirm current district rules with the local housing authority.
Chaoyang or Shunyi? Chaoyang is central with high-rises (1-bedroom ¥8,000–¥15,000) near the CBD; Shunyi is suburban, with large villas (¥25,000–¥50,000) near international schools — best for families.
How to register online? Via your district's WeChat mini-program (e.g. "Beijing Police"). Names differ by district (Chaoyang vs Dongcheng), so confirm the exact one on arrival.
How much deposit? Standard private lease is "1+3" (one month rent + three months deposit); apps often lower it to "1+1".
What if I miss the 24-hour deadline? Late PSB registration can bring heavy fines and serious visa-renewal trouble.
Platforms & apps
- Ziroom — most popular expat app; English UI, quality listings.
- Wellcee — WeChat-mini-program platform for foreigners, no agent fee.
- Beike — the largest local database (backed by Lianjia), best for high-end or gated communities.