Moving to Taiwan from Hong Kong
What to Expect
Considering a move from Hong Kong to Taiwan? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Hong Kong to Taiwan, you would find that Taiwan is 35.4% cheaper than Hong Kong overall. A HK$587,771 salary in Hong Kong would need to be roughly NT$1,285,168 in Taiwan to maintain the same lifestyle. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
What does your salary buy?
HK$587,771 → NT$1,285,168
To maintain the same standard of living in Taiwan
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 32.0% less
Groceries
pay 7.2% less
Transportation
pay 40.5% less
Housing
pay 59.5% less
Childcare
pay 37.5% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 50.4% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Taiwan compared to Hong Kong.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
Hong Kong generally does better on employment & economy, though Taiwan leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
Hong Kong performs better than Taiwan across all family life metrics.
Data: Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong, The World Factbook
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Hong Kong and Taiwan. To live, work, or study long-term in Taiwan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Taiwan's immigration authority.
Hong Kong passport holder visiting Taiwan
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Taiwan passport holder visiting Hong Kong
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Taiwan than Hong Kong?
On average Taiwan is about 45% less expensive than Hong Kong, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Taiwan?
Budget about NT$321,292 for 3 months in Taiwan (based on a HK$587,771 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, rental deposit, visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Taiwan?
From major Taiwan cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Hong Kong and Taiwan are what actually decide it long-term.
What language do they speak in Taiwan?
The official language in Taiwan is Chinese. In Hong Kong, the official languages are Chinese and English.
