Is Taiwan expensive?

No, Taiwan is moderately priced for a developed East Asian economy, and cheaper than most people expect given its wealth and infrastructure. CostLiving tracks the country at $1,950 a month at the moderate tier for a single person, with Taipei higher at $2,125, so the capital carries a premium but not a dramatic one. Two things keep costs down. Food is remarkably cheap for the quality: night markets and local eateries serve full meals for a few dollars, so many residents rarely cook, and even a careful budget rarely strains on eating. Public transport is excellent and inexpensive, with Taipei’s metro and the island-wide rail and high-speed network meaning most people skip car ownership entirely. Where Taiwan does cost money is housing in Taipei, where rents on a decent central apartment are the main line pushing the capital above the national figure, and imported goods and Western brands, which carry the usual premium. Healthcare, by contrast, is a genuine bargain thanks to the national insurance system. So the overall verdict is affordable-to-moderate: a single person lives well on the moderate benchmark, spends more mainly if they want space in central Taipei, and finds day-to-day life cheaper than in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Japan’s big cities. Full tier breakdown on our Taiwan cost of living page.