Hong Kong vs. Taiwan: A Comparison

Are you sometimes confused about whether Hong Kong and Taiwan are similar? Don’t worry, many people share this dilemma, and we’re here to provide answers to your questions by comparing the two on every point we can think of.

But first, the short answer: Hong Kong is not entirely like Taiwan. While they share similarities in what they offer visitors and tourists, they significantly differ in a lot of other aspects, such as lifestyle and opportunities.

True, Hong Kong might seem close to Taiwan (1 hour and 15 minutes of flight-time away, to be exact), but these two places often feel like they belong to different worlds. Let’s go over all of the main points so you can see what we mean.

Cost of Living in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Living in Hong Kong is much more expensive than living in Taiwan, especially in Taipei. On average, people spend around US $2,733 per month in Hong Kong, compared to US $1,136 in Taiwan.

To put it simply, living expenses in Hong Kong are about 141% higher than those in Taiwan.

Wondering how we came up with these numbers? Take a peek at the table below, sourced from LivingCost.org. It breaks down the specific expenses related to living in Hong Kong and Taiwan, giving a closer look at how these costs were determined.

Expenses	Hong Kong Cost Range	Taiwan Cost Range
Housing (Average Rent per Month)
1-bedroom apartment (downtown)	$2,172	$544
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$1,538	$388
3-bedroom apartment (downtown)	$4,490	$1,441
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$3,058	$990
Utilities (Average Monthly Bill)
Utility bill for one person	$149	$55.6
Utility bill for a family	$230	$85
Internet plan	$25.2	$26.2
Transportation (Fare)
1-way ticket (local transport ticket)	$1.53	$$0.78
Monthly pass (local transport ticket)	$63.5	$40.5
Taxi start (normal tariff)	$13.1	$8.99
Gasoline (1 liter)	$2.87	$0.98
Childcare (Tuition Fee)
Daycare or Preschool	$820 per month	$710 per month
International Primary School	$20,404 per year	$18,143 per year

Whether it’s paying for housing like apartments, monthly bills for electricity and water, getting around on public transport, or taking care of children in daycare or school, Hong Kong’s prices are much higher than in Taiwan.

In simple terms, living in Hong Kong costs a lot more than living in Taiwan in almost every way.

Real Estate Prices in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Hong Kong boasts higher real estate prices in contrast to Taiwan.

According to globalpropertyguide.com, the cost per square meter for purchasing property in Hong Kong stands at $25,133, whereas in Taiwan, notably in Taipei, it’s significantly lower at $2,632.

Comparing real estate prices between Hong Kong and Taiwan, there’s a massive difference in the cost of buying property.

To put it into perspective, if you were looking to purchase a modest-sized apartment or house, let’s say around 100 square meters, it would cost approximately $2,513,300 (considering $25,133 per square meter) in Hong Kong.

In contrast, buying the same size property in Taiwan would amount to about $263,200 (with $2,632 per square meter). wwwww

This significant contrast clearly demonstrates that buying a home in Hong Kong is nearly ten times more expensive than buying a similar-sized property in Taiwan, making the property market in Hong Kong substantially pricier than in Taiwan.

Diversity and Demographics in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Hong Kong and Taiwan both represent East Asian regions with diverse populations. Taiwan boasts a larger population and greater land area. Despite this, Hong Kong has slightly higher ethnic diversity compared to Taiwan.

If you’d like a closer comparison, take a peek at the table below. It gathers information from Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department and Taiwan’s National Statistics, offering a comprehensive view of the differences between the two.

	Hong Kong	Taiwan
Geographic Location	Special Administrative Region of China	Sovereign State
Size (Area)	1,108 square kilometers	36,193 square kilometers
Population	7.5 million	23.6 million
Median Age	45.2 years	42.3 years
Life Expectancy at Birth	82 years	85 years
Ethnicity	92% Han Chinese (predominantly Cantonese) 4% Other Chinese (including Hakka, Teochew, Shanghainese) 4% Non-Chinese (including Filipinos, Indians, Indonesians, Nepalese)	98% Han Chinese (predominantly Hoklo) 2% Indigenous Taiwanese <1% Other (including Hakka, mainland Chinese, Southeast Asians)

To put it succinctly, Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China, differs from Taiwan, a sovereign state, in several ways.

While Hong Kong has a smaller area and population compared to Taiwan, it stands out for its notably diverse ethnic makeup.

In Hong Kong, various Chinese ethnicities and non-Chinese communities contribute to a more multicultural society, contrasting with Taiwan’s predominantly Han Chinese demographic.

Career Opportunities in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Both Hong Kong and Taiwan maintain unemployment rates that are lower than the global average of 5.8%. Yet, in comparison, the job market appears slightly more favorable for job seekers in Hong Kong than in Taiwan.

This distinction arises from the latest figures as of October 2023, where Hong Kong’s unemployment rate stands at 3.2%, while Taiwan records a slightly higher rate of 3.7%.

Despite their low unemployment rates, both Hong Kong and Taiwan are renowned for offering diverse career opportunities across various industries.

Hong Kong’s job market is known for its rapid pace and competitiveness, particularly in finance, business, and professional services. This environment offers high rewards, including competitive salaries and exposure to international business.

On the other hand, Taiwan stands out for its thriving technology sector, providing enticing prospects in software engineering, data analytics, and AI.

An important distinction arises in the cost of living: Taiwan generally has a lower cost of living compared to Hong Kong. However, the monthly salaries in Hong Kong are substantially higher, averaging $3,317 compared to Taiwan’s average of $1,614.

Considering these factors, individuals in Hong Kong might have a better capacity for savings or investments due to their higher salaries, despite the higher cost of living.

Ultimately, this balance between living expenses and earnings, as well as the latest figure of the unemployment rate, showcases how job opportunities in Hong Kong may offer better financial prospects compared to Taiwan.

Crime Index in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

As far as comparison goes, Taiwan is the safer place to live compared to Hong Kong. According to the latest data, Hong Kong has a higher crime index at 22 compared to Taiwan’s 15.46.

While Taiwan is considered safer than Hong Kong based on their respective crime index values, it’s important to note that Hong Kong is still a generally safe place to live. For example, on Data Pandas, Hong Kong ranks at number seven on the list of locations with lower crime index values, indicating its relative safety.

Conversely, Taiwan secures the third spot, indicating an even lower crime rate compared to Hong Kong.

Both Hong Kong and Taiwan demonstrate strong law enforcement and generally low-crime environments, as highlighted by the low crime index values reported by the same source.

Lifestyle in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Hong Kong’s dynamic lifestyle pulsates with cosmopolitan energy, boasting high-end shopping, vibrant nightlife, and a diverse culinary scene.

Meanwhile, Taiwan offers a laid-back charm with a focus on nature, outdoor activities, and delicious local cuisine, all at a slower pace and lower cost of living.

To get a closer look at the type of lifestyle offered in Hong Kong and Taiwan, we compare each place in detail on several factors such as the weather, recreational activities, and healthcare.

Weather in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

On average, throughout the year, Hong Kong tends to be hotter than Taiwan. It doesn’t experience colder temperatures compared to Taiwan.

Hong Kong generally has hotter temperatures than Taiwan, with an average of 24°C/75°F compared to Taiwan’s 22°C/72°F.

Despite that, Hong Kong’s hottest month (June) only reaches about 32°C/90°F. It’s still slightly cooler than Taiwan’s hottest month: July, which hits around 34°C/93°F.

As for lows, Hong Kong maintains an average minimum temperature of 21°C/70°F, while Taiwan’s average minimum is 19°C/66°F.

Things to Do in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Both Hong Kong and Taiwan present a diverse range of attractions and activities for visitors. Hong Kong’s appeal lies in its urban excitement and culinary delights while Taiwan charms visitors with its natural landscapes and cultural immersion

Hong Kong pulsates with urban energy, featuring iconic sites like Victoria Peak and Disneyland, along with bustling street markets offering vibrant shopping experiences. The city is a gastronomic haven with a rich culinary scene and a thriving nightlife that never sleeps.

Meanwhile, Taiwan captivates with its natural beauty, showcasing breathtaking landscapes such as Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake. Alongside its scenic allure, Taiwan offers cultural treasures like Longshan Temple and vibrant night markets filled with delectable local cuisine.

Healthcare in Hong Kong vs Taiwan

Hong Kong and Taiwan are recognized for having outstanding healthcare systems in Asia, securing positions within the top five in the continent, as per Bloomberg’s 2018 Health Care Efficiency Index.

Hong Kong claims the top spot in that ranking, distinguishing itself as Asia’s most efficient healthcare system, while Taiwan secures a respectable position, standing in fifth place.

Hong Kong’s healthcare system shines due to its combination of private and public healthcare. The region boasts an extensive network of clinics, hospitals, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics, accessible in every region and district.

Notably, these facilities offer round-the-clock emergency services staffed by internationally trained doctors specialized in their respective fields.

In Taiwan, the strength of its healthcare system stems from its universal and compulsory health insurance known as National Health Insurance (NHI). Residents living in Taiwan for more than six months are obligated to enroll in the NHI.

This insurance covers almost all medical treatments, including preventive care like health screenings, mental health services, general healthcare, and even essential medications.

Hong Kong vs Taiwan: How They Stack Up

Overall, Hong Kong and Taiwan have their own advantages and deal-breakers, some of which make you think they’re similar.

To review whether they’re truly alike or significantly different, here is a quick comparison of Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Factors	Similarities	Differences
Cost of Living	Both Hong Kong and Taiwan share high costs for urban living essentials like housing and transportation. While Taiwan, particularly Taipei, is relatively more affordable than Hong Kong, both places experience steep housing expenses. Additionally, transportation costs in both regions can be significant contributors to the overall cost of living.	The major difference lies in the overall expenses, where Hong Kong surpasses Taiwan in almost every aspect. Hong Kong’s housing market is notably more expensive, with sky-high rents and property values far exceeding those in Taiwan.
Real Estate	Both Hong Kong and Taiwan face challenges regarding housing affordability due to increasing property values driven by high demand.	Hong Kong’s property market boasts significantly higher costs compared to Taiwan. Purchasing a home in Hong Kong is nearly ten times more expensive than buying a similar-sized property in Taiwan, emphasizing a considerable disparity in their property markets.
Diversity and Demographics	Hong Kong and Taiwan represent East Asian regions with diverse populations.	Hong Kong, despite its smaller land area and population compared to Taiwan, excels in ethnic diversity. Hong Kong hosts a diverse mix of Chinese ethnicities and non-Chinese communities, fostering a more multicultural society. In contrast, Taiwan has a predominantly Han Chinese demographic.
Career Opportunities	Both Hong Kong and Taiwan offer diverse career opportunities across various industries, maintaining unemployment rates lower than the global average.	Hong Kong’s job market, with its rapid pace and competitiveness, particularly in finance, business, and professional services, generally offers higher salaries compared to Taiwan. Conversely, Taiwan stands out in its technology sector, especially in software engineering, data analytics, and AI, despite generally lower average salaries.
Crime Index	Hong Kong and Taiwan exhibit strong law enforcement and generally low crime environments, as evidenced by their low crime index values.	Taiwan is considered safer than Hong Kong based on their respective crime index values. According to datapandas.org, Taiwan has a lower crime index at 15.46 compared to Hong Kong’s index of 22, securing a higher ranking in safety compared to Hong Kong.
Lifestyle	Hong Kong and Taiwan experience relatively warm temperatures throughout the year without extreme cold weather. Both Hong Kong and Taiwan offer diverse attractions and activities for visitors, catering to various interests and preferences. Both Hong Kong and Taiwan are highly regarded for their exceptional healthcare systems in Asia, ranking among the top five in Bloomberg’s Health Care Efficiency Index of 2018.	Hong Kong generally experiences hotter temperatures than Taiwan throughout the year, with its hottest month slightly cooler than Taiwan’s hottest month. However, Hong Kong maintains higher average minimum temperatures, indicating it doesn’t get as cold as Taiwan. Hong Kong is known for its urban vibrancy, bustling street markets, a rich culinary scene, and a lively nightlife. In contrast, Taiwan captivates visitors with its natural beauty coupled with cultural treasures. Hong Kong’s healthcare system stands out for its blend of private and public healthcare facilities, while Taiwan’s strength lies in its universal and compulsory National Health Insurance (NHI).