Performance
Score Breakdown
Shenyang
Dalian
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dalian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Shenyang.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shenyang's average rent is
33% lower than Dalian's.
| Metric | Shenyang | Dalian | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $271 | $403 | -33% |
| Groceries | $350 | $239 | +46% |
| Utilities | $89 | $65 | +37% |
| Transport | $50 | $98 | -49% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $860 | $805 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 25 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shenyang offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dalian delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Shenyang is estimated at
$15,000 vs $12,000 in Dalian.
| Metric | Shenyang | Dalian |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $17,510 | $13,224 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $12,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,911 idx | 52,896 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shenyang | Dalian |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dalian has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Shenyang.
Shenyang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dalian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shenyang | Dalian |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/10 | 75.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 66.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shenyang is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Dalian.
From a growth perspective, Dalian is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shenyang has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shenyang | Dalian |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,276,000 | 7,500,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.87% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shenyang
Advantages
Shenyang boasts a very affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally.
The city has an extensive and efficient public transportation network, including a metro and tram system, with 100% urban coverage by bus stops.
Shenyang has been consistently recognized as one of China's happiest cities for three consecutive years, including 2024.
The city has a robust industrial foundation with trillion-yuan clusters in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automotive sectors.
Shenyang is actively enhancing its public service system for foreigners, including international hospitals and schools.
Drawbacks
Winters in Shenyang are known to be long and very cold.
While overall crime rates are low, Numbeo indicates a moderate problem with corruption and bribery.
The city's property market, like the national trend, has faced challenges with declines in investment and transaction volume in recent years.
Specific recent data for certain demographic metrics like median age and unemployment rate for Shenyang are not readily available.
Despite overall safety, isolated incidents of violent crime have been reported, such as a knife-related assault in July 2024.
Dalian
Advantages
Robust industrial base in petrochemicals, automotive, shipbuilding, and high-tech sectors, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
Recognized as a national innovation city and a benchmark for international business environment, attracting foreign investment and fostering a dynamic business climate.
High quality of life with an appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure, and consistently good air quality for over 315 days annually.
A vibrant coastal city offering pleasant summers, scenic beaches, diverse cultural experiences, and a range of outdoor activities.
Serves as a crucial international comprehensive transportation hub with a deep-water port and extensive global shipping connections.
Drawbacks
While public transport is strong, traffic congestion can still be a challenge in certain areas, impacting commute times.
Winters are notably cold and windy, requiring substantial warm clothing for outdoor activities.
Air quality, while generally good, can experience periods of moderate to poor pollution.
Limited specific data for certain economic and social metrics (e.g., median household income, job growth rate) from recent years makes detailed analysis challenging.
The reliability of some crowd-sourced data, such as traffic and transportation habits, may be affected by a low number of contributors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Shenyang
#2Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$271
Avg Salary
$17,510
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dalian
#2Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$403
Avg Salary
$13,224
Cost Index
25
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.87%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
75
Business
70
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