Taiwan · Asia
Kaohsiung
Costs last verified
Part of the Cost of Living Abroad guideMonthly cost
$1,245Estimate for a solo remote worker — verify current local prices.
Studying here? About $840/mo
Studying here? Reckon on roughly 35% less. Shared halls instead of a private flat is most of it, with a meal plan, a student travel pass and a campus you do not have to rent a desk in doing the rest. Phone, insurance and a social life cost the same either way.
At a glance
Healthcare, taxes & language
The decisive three for a longer stay in Taiwan.
Healthcare
Universal National Health Insurance (NHI) covers residents with ARC after 6 months; hospital care in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung is high-quality, and Taiwan ranks 1st on Numbeo's Health Care Index.
Taxes
Foreign-source income, including foreign pensions, is exempt from regular income tax but is included in the Alternative Minimum Tax base if it exceeds NT$1 million, taxed at 20% on the amount above the basic income exemption (NT$7.5 million).
English
Moderate — English is common in Taipei's international business, hotels and among younger, university-educated people, but limited in smaller cities and rural areas.
Getting in — Taiwan
Full Taiwan guideTop visa routes, ranked by route score — stay, ease and speed.
Resident Visa for Study
Over 180 days, converted to an ARC after arrival
1-3 years
Similar places in Asia
Comparable cost, same part of the world. Compare side by side →
Kaohsiung at a glance
Kaohsiung, Taiwan costs about $1,245 USD a month for a solo remote worker, with rent at 40% of that budget. The biggest budget line is rent at $500 and the smallest is transport at $35. In our data internet averages 220 Mbps and safety scores 9/10. Similar cities range from Chengdu at $1,240 a month to Koh Phangan at $1,250.
Costs verified on September 11, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Questions about Kaohsiung
How much does it cost to live in Kaohsiung?
A solo remote worker in Kaohsiung, Taiwan spends an estimated $1,245 USD/month on rent, food, transport and coworking, based on our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much is rent in Kaohsiung?
Rent in Kaohsiung is an estimated $500 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How fast is the internet in Kaohsiung?
Internet in Kaohsiung averages 220 Mbps in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much does coworking cost in Kaohsiung?
A coworking space in Kaohsiung costs an estimated $100 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
Is Kaohsiung safe?
Kaohsiung has a safety score of 9/10 in our cost-of-living breakdown.
What is Kaohsiung's nomad score?
Kaohsiung scores 7/10 on our nomad score, which weighs cost, safety and internet quality for remote workers.