Best neighborhoods for students
- Yangpu (杨浦) 92/100
- Xuhui (徐汇) 90/100
- Minhang (闵行) 88/100
- Huangpu (黄浦) 90/100
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LifeSkills city guide
Shanghai
China
Shanghai, the economic capital and the most international of Chinese cities, combines the futuristic skyline of Pudong with the Art Deco charm of the French Concession. It is home to leading universities (Fudan, Jiao Tong, Tongji, NYU Shanghai) and the largest subway network in the world. It is cosmopolitan, lively and relatively open to foreigners, but it is also the most expensive city in China.
Safety 88/100
Affordability 42/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 84/100
Transport 92/100
Last reviewed: 2026-07-21. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
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Districts di Shanghai
Official administrative boundaries: Districts. Select an area to view the available data.
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Boundary source: OpenStreetMap contributors — elenco verificato su Shanghai Government (ODbL 1.0). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- Jing'an (静安) 88/100
- Huangpu (黄浦) 90/100
- Xuhui (徐汇) 90/100
- Pudong (浦东) 88/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- Minhang (闵行) 88/100
- Changning (长宁) 90/100
- Putuo (普陀) 86/100
- Xuhui (徐汇) 90/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- Minhang (闵行) 2,800 CNY
- Putuo (普陀) 3,000 CNY
- Yangpu (杨浦) 3,200 CNY
- Changning (长宁) 3,800 CNY
Best neighborhoods for safety
- Huangpu (黄浦) 90/100
- Xuhui (徐汇) 90/100
- Changning (长宁) 90/100
- Jing'an (静安) 88/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in Shanghai
Yangpu (杨浦)
Student hubYangpu (杨浦): The north-east university district: Fudan and Tongji, the redeveloped riverfront and more accessible rents in the centre. Young, growing and full of students
- Room
- 3,200 CNY
- Studio
- 5,000 CNY
- Apartment
- 6,500 CNY
Safety 88 Student-friendly 92 Nightlife 66 Commute 82
Pros
- student-friendly: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 3,200 CNY.
- Useful for Fudan University.
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Xuhui (徐汇)
BalancedXuhui (徐汇): The heart of the French Concession: tree-lined avenues, Art Deco villas, cafes and boutiques, the commercial hub of Xujiahui and a Jiao Tong campus. Elegant and much loved
- Room
- 4,200 CNY
- Studio
- 7,000 CNY
- Apartment
- 9,000 CNY
Safety 90 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 80 Commute 90
Pros
- safety: 90/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 4,200 CNY.
- Useful for Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Xhuhui campus).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Minhang (闵行)
Student hubMinhang (闵行): The southwest of large campuses: the main headquarters of Jiao Tong and East China Normal, residential neighborhoods and lower rents. Convenient for students
- Room
- 2,800 CNY
- Studio
- 4,500 CNY
- Apartment
- 6,000 CNY
Safety 88 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 56 Commute 76
Pros
- safety: 88/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 2,800 CNY.
- Useful for Shanghai Jiao Tong University (main campus).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Huangpu (黄浦)
PremiumHuangpu (黄浦): The historic and monumental center: the Bund on the river, People's Square, Nanjing Road and the chic Xintiandi. Iconic heart of the city, very central and expensive
- Room
- 4,000 CNY
- Studio
- 7,000 CNY
- Apartment
- 9,000 CNY
Safety 90 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 86 Commute 92
Pros
- transport: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 4,000 CNY.
- Useful for central universities (reachable by metro).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in Shanghai
Fudan University (复旦大学)
General public (among the best in China, ~33,000 students)
EconomyMedicineLetters and human sciencesScienceJournalism
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Yangpu (杨浦)5-15 min (Handan campus)
- Huangpu (黄浦)30-45 min
- Pudong (浦东)40-55 min
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)
Public research (engineering and medicine at the top, ~46,000 students)
EngineeringMedicineEconomyInformaticsScience
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Minhang (闵行)5-15 min (main campus)
- Xuhui (徐汇)10-20 min (Xhuhui campus)
- Changning (长宁)30-45 min
Tongji University (同济大学)
Public research (architecture and engineering at the top, ~37,000 students)
Architecture and urban planningCivil EngineeringAutomotive engineeringDesign
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Yangpu (杨浦)5-15 min (Siping campus)
- Huangpu (黄浦)25-40 min
- Pudong (浦东)40-55 min
East China Normal University (华东师范大学, ECNU)
Public (education, science and literature; ~35,000 students)
EducationPsychologyScienceLettersEconomy
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Putuo (普陀)5-15 min (Zhongshan campus)
- Minhang (闵行)10-20 min (Minhang campus)
- Changning (长宁)20-35 min
NYU Shanghai
Private Chinese-American (in English; part of New York University)
Business and financeComputer science and data scienceSocial sciencesLetters
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Pudong (浦东)5-20 min (Qiantan campus)
- Huangpu (黄浦)20-35 min
- Xuhui (徐汇)25-40 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huangpu (黄浦) | 4,000 CNY | 7,000 CNY | 9,000 CNY |
| Xuhui (徐汇) | 4,200 CNY | 7,000 CNY | 9,000 CNY |
| Jing'an (静安) | 4,300 CNY | 7,500 CNY | 9,500 CNY |
| Changning (长宁) | 3,800 CNY | 6,000 CNY | 8,000 CNY |
| Yangpu (杨浦) | 3,200 CNY | 5,000 CNY | 6,500 CNY |
| Pudong (浦东) | 3,800 CNY | 6,000 CNY | 8,000 CNY |
| Minhang (闵行) | 2,800 CNY | 4,500 CNY | 6,000 CNY |
| Putuo (普陀) | 3,000 CNY | 4,800 CNY | 6,500 CNY |
Cheapest: Minhang (闵行), Putuo (普陀), Yangpu (杨浦)
Mid-range: Yangpu (杨浦), Changning (长宁), Pudong (浦东)
Premium: Jing'an (静安), Xuhui (徐汇), Huangpu (黄浦)
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
Changning (长宁), Xuhui (徐汇), Minhang (闵行)
Areas to be careful with
very crowded areas of the center during rush hour (pickpocketing rare but possible), some industrial areas and construction sites on the outskirts, Be careful of rental scams: use reliable agencies or platforms
- Shanghai is one of the safest large cities in the world for street crime, which is very low; the main risk is rental scams and traffic inconveniences.
- It is the most international Chinese city with the most English, but outside of expat environments Chinese remains very useful; translation apps help.
- For payments and services WeChat/Alipay is needed; for Western sites often a VPN. Register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival (or via hotel/university).
Student perspective: Students: Yangpu (Fudan, Tongji) and Minhang (Jiao Tong, ECNU) for the lowest campuses and prices; Pudong for NYU Shanghai. For international life, Xuhui (French Concession) and Jing'an.
Nightlife
Where to go out
Concessione Francese (Xuhui / Jing’an)
cocktail bars, bistros, trendy clubs
Bars and restaurants hidden among the villas and tree-lined avenues, the heart of the chic nightlife.
Julu Road / Found 158 (Jing’an)
clubs, bars, international restaurants
The street and the underground square of the places most frequented by young people and expats.
Il Bund (Huangpu)
rooftop bars, luxury venues
Bars and restaurants overlooking the Pudong skyline, for elegant evenings.
Xintiandi (Huangpu)
bars, restaurants, shikumen restored
The neighborhood of historic alleys transformed into trendy restaurants and clubs.
Wujiaochang (Yangpu)
student clubs, KTV, street food
The liveliest area for students in Fudan and Tongji, with cheap bars and karaoke.
Transport
Getting around Shanghai
Shanghai has the largest subway network in the world (~20 lines and over 800 km), with cheap mileage fares (3-6 CNY), supported by buses, the Maglev to Pudong airport and extensive bike sharing.
Metro The largest metro in the world: ~20 lines and over 800 kmMileage fee (3-6 CNY for most trips)Maglev for Pudong Airport (up to 430 km/h)
Tram / busExtensive bus network (from 2 CNY) and some modern tram/trolleybus lines; metro and buses cover the whole city, with payment via transport card or QR.
TrainShanghai is a large high-speed hub (Hongqiao and Shanghai stations) towards Beijing (~4h30), Hangzhou (~45 min) and the whole country; two international airports (Pudong PVG and Hongqiao SHA).
Pass info Metro 3 CNY (≤6 km)4 CNY (6-16 km)+1 CNY every 10 km beyondbus from 2 CNYpayment with transport card or QR (Alipay/WeChat)
WalkabilityExcellent in central areas (French Concession, the Bund, Xintiandi), between tree-lined avenues and historic streets; one of the most pleasant Chinese cities to walk around.
Bike-friendlinessGood and flat, with widespread bike sharing (Meituan, Hello) and many cycle paths, even with intense traffic on the major arteries.
Transport sources Shanghai Municipal Government — metropolitana e MaglevChina Railway / Shanghai — alta velocità e aeroportiShanghai — mobilità ciclabile e bike sharing
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget 4,500-7,500 CNY/month
room + utilities + groceries + transportation · excluding university fees
Spending items
Food around 1,500-2,500 CNY/month (shopping and meals) cheap meal 40-60 CNY
Transport meter per kilometer rate (3-6 CNY for most trips) transport card or QR; bus from 2 CNY
Utilities around 300-500 CNY/month (utilities no central heating: air conditioning in winter)
Coffee / bars cappuccino around 30-38 CNY cheap meal 40-60 CNY
- Shanghai is the most expensive city in China: a room costs ~2,800-4,500 CNY/month and a one-bedroom apartment in the center (Jing'an, Lujiazui) 7,000-9,000 CNY.
- Rentals require a deposit and agency commission; payments almost always go through WeChat Pay or Alipay.
- Unlike northern China, Shanghai does NOT have central heating: in winter air conditioning is used, resulting in higher bills.
- The subway (the largest in the world) is cheap (3-6 CNY) and widespread: it has little impact on the budget.
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a ShanghaiShanghai Municipal Government — metropolitana e trasporti
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in Shanghai
5 strengths
- Shanghai has the largest subway network in the world (~20 lines and over 800 km), with cheap mileage fares (3-6 CNY), supported by buses, the Maglev to Pudong airport and extensive bike sharing.
- Fudan University (复旦大学), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学), Tongji University (同济大学): poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: Yangpu (Fudan, Tongji) and Minhang (Jiao Tong, ECNU) for the lowest campuses and prices; Pudong for NYU Shanghai. For international life, Xuhui (French Concession) and Jing'an.
- Shanghai is the most expensive city in China: a room costs ~2,800-4,500 CNY/month and a one-bedroom apartment in the center (Jing'an, Lujiazui) 7,000-9,000 CNY.
- Huangpu (黄浦), Xuhui (徐汇), Jing'an (静安) sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- Shanghai is one of the safest large cities in the world for street crime, which is very low; the main risk is rental scams and traffic inconveniences.
- Rentals require a deposit and agency commission; payments almost always go through WeChat Pay or Alipay.
- Among the most expensive districts
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to Shanghai
Is Shanghai a good city for students?
Yes: it hosts leading universities (Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tongji) and NYU Shanghai, with many courses in English, and is the most international and liveable Chinese city for foreigners. Challenges remain language, visas and some digital (VPN) restrictions.
Is Shanghai a good city for workers?
Yes, it is the best in China for foreigners: economic and financial capital (Lujiazui), home to multinationals, trade, fashion and tech, with more international locations. However, you need a Z visa with a work permit (generally a degree plus experience).
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: Yangpu (Fudan, Tongji) and Minhang (Jiao Tong, ECNU); for international life: Jing'an, Xuhui (French Concession) and Pudong (Lujiazui, NYU Shanghai). For expat families: Changning (Gubei) and Pudong.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
Minhang, Putuo, Baoshan and areas beyond the center have the lowest rents; Jing'an, the French Concession (Xuhui) and Lujiazui (Pudong) are the most expensive.
Is public transport convenient?
Excellent: the world's largest subway (3-6 CNY), cheap buses and the Maglev to Pudong Airport. You pay with a transport card or QR.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately 4,500-7,500 CNY per month for room, utilities, expenses and transport; university fees are extra (CSC scholarships exist). Those who work most often place themselves between 8,000 and 16,000 CNY.
What do you need to know before moving?
You need WeChat and Alipay for almost everything and often a VPN for Western sites; registration at the police station within 24 hours. Note: Shanghai has no central heating, so humid winters can be felt even indoors.