Nomads Data

qingdao, China

Asia · Tropical

Rank: 74 | Index: 87.0

Qingdao, China, is a city that seamlessly blends traditional culture with modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. With its mild climate, affordable cost of living, and rich cultural heritage, Qingdao is an excellent choice for remote workers looking for a new place to call home.

Budget FriendlySafe HavenFast InternetFood ParadiseDN HubWellness & HealthAdventure Base
Monthly Cost
$393
Single · No rent
Internet
394Mbps
Fixed broadband
Safety
88
Quality of Life
89.925

At a Glance — qingdao

Nomad Index
Rank: 74 | Index: 87.0
Climate
Tropical · 14°C avg · 68 rainy days/yr
Health
76.72 / 100
Pollution
50.47 / 100
Traffic
79.62 / 100
Rent (1BR)
Centre $345.68 · Outside $213.29
Power Grid
100% electricity access
Coworking
0 spaces
DN Visa
Not available
Data from Numbeo, Ookla, Open-Meteo, World Bank & more

City Personality

Qingdao is a relaxed and affordable city with a rich cultural heritage.

Best For

  • digital nomads on a budget
  • those who value a relaxed lifestyle

Less Suitable For

  • high-energy city dwellers
  • those seeking a Western lifestyle
Lifestyle: Cafe culture, outdoor activities
Pace: Relaxed

qingdao Climate & Weather

Qingdao has a tropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The best months to visit are April to June and September to October, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures often reaching 28°C. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 0°C.

Comfortable temperatures from April to June and September to OctoberHot and humid summersMild winters

qingdao has a Tropical climate.Mild winters with heavy summer rainfall.

Climate Type
Tropical
13.9°C avg · 68 rainy days/yr
Dry Days / Year
319
No rain (≥3 mm)
Daylight Range
9.6h – 14.4h
Varies by 4.8h across the year

Average Daily Temperature

Max TempMin Temp
☀️ Peak Season
Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Comfortable temperatures · Low rainfall
Shoulder Season
Mar, Jul, Nov
Warm or mild · Moderate rainfall
❄️ Off Season
Aug, Dec – Feb
Hot or cold · Heavy rainfall

Daylight Hours

DaylightNight
Open-Meteo Archive API

Is qingdao Safe?

Qingdao is an extremely safe city, with a safety index of 88.36. The crime rate is very low, and residents and visitors can feel secure walking alone at night. However, petty crime can occur, and visitors should take normal precautions to protect themselves and their belongings.

Extremely safe cityLow crime rateVery low risk of petty crime
Safety Index
88/ 100
Crime index: 11.64
Daylight Safety
91.77/100
Very Safe
Night Safety
75.94/100
Very Safe

What Residents Worry About

Home break-in
7.94
Mugged or robbed
8.44
Car stolen
7.47
Things stolen from car
7.1
Physically attacked
7.21
Harassment / insults
9.47
Discrimination
7.46

Crime Severity

Drugs
8.58
Property crimes
21.55
Violent crimes
9.56
Corruption
32.84
Travel Advisory: Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Risks: crime, terrorism, other
View advisory details
Numbeo — Crime and safety data
Travel advisories — Government travel advisory data

Cost of Living in qingdao

The cost of living in Qingdao is relatively low, with a monthly budget of $393 excluding rent. Rent prices vary, with a 1-bedroom apartment costing around $345 per month in the city center. Food prices are also affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around $17.65. However, housing costs can be a significant expense, especially for those looking to buy property.

Affordable rentLow food pricesModerate housing costs
Total Monthly Cost
$739
Restaurants
$7911%
Groceries
$14620%
Transport
$709%
Utilities
$284%
Clothing
$274%
Leisure
$436%
Rent
$34647%
Living $393+Rent $346=$739
International flights and trip insurance not included.
Numbeo — Cost of Living data

Cost Comparison: Cities in China

qingdao vs Nanjing

qingdao
qingdao
$393
/mo
vs
+$21
pricier
Nanjing
Nanjing
$414
/mo
Full Comparison

qingdao vs chengdu

qingdao
qingdao
$393
/mo
vs
-$23
cheaper
chengdu
chengdu
$370
/mo
Full Comparison

Internet Speed in qingdao

Qingdao has fast and reliable internet, with an average mobile download speed of 193.7 Mbps and a fixed download speed of 394 Mbps. This makes it an excellent destination for digital nomads who require fast and stable internet for their work.

Fast mobile and fixed internet speedsReliable connectivity

Fixed Broadband

Fiber, cable, or DSL in your apartment

Download
394 Mbps
Upload
57 Mbps
Latency
25 ms
Good

Mobile Data

4G/5G cellular network

Download
194 Mbps
Upload
51 Mbps
Latency
46 ms
Good

Remote Work Readiness

Video Calls
HD calls supported
Screen Sharing
Smooth sharing
Cloud Development
Low latency
Ookla Speedtest Intelligence — Q1 2026

Visa Options for qingdao, China

China does not currently offer a specific Digital Nomad Visa, but several tourist visa options are available.

Qingdao does not offer a specific digital nomad visa, but visitors can apply for a standard Chinese visa. The visa application process can be complex, and requirements vary depending on the individual's circumstances.

Standard Chinese visa availableNo specific digital nomad visa
Passport Checker — China

See what visa you need for qingdao based on your passport

Pick your passport above to see the visa requirement instantly
Digital Nomad Visa Database — visa policy information

Healthcare Quality in qingdao

Qingdao has an excellent healthcare system, with a healthcare index of 76.72. Medical facilities are well-equipped, and staff are highly skilled. However, digital nomads may still want to consider additional insurance to ensure they have access to the best care.

Excellent healthcare indexWell-equipped medical facilitiesHighly skilled staff
Healthcare Index
76.72/ 100

Quality Scores

Skill & Competency
81.08
Speed of Exams
77.08
Modern Equipment
77.03
Accuracy of Reports
78.47

Satisfaction Scores

Staff Friendliness
77.86
Responsiveness / Wait Times
72.97
Cost Satisfaction
72.3
Convenient Location
81.43
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • qingdao has strong healthcare infrastructure — digital nomads can expect reliable medical support for routine needs.
Numbeo — Healthcare quality data

Power Grid in China

Qingdao has a stable electricity grid, with a grid access rate of 100%. The city also has a significant renewable energy share, with 15.2% of its energy coming from renewable sources.

Stable electricity gridSignificant renewable energy share
Electricity access
100%
of population in 2023
Consumption
6.5k
kWh per person
Reliability
Reliable
grid stability

Energy Mix

· 64% fossil fuels
61%
13%
Coal61%
Natural Gas3%
Nuclear5%
Hydro13%
Oil0%
World Bank — Power grid statistics

Traffic & Commute in qingdao

Qingdao has a heavy traffic index of 79.62, making it easy to get around the city. The average commute time is 27.87 minutes, and residents can use a variety of transportation options, including buses, taxis, and trains.

Heavy traffic indexShort average commute timeVariety of transportation options
Traffic Index
79.62
Avg commute: 27.87 min / 5.69 km

Overview

Avg Commute
27.87 min
Avg Distance
5.69 km
67.7%
Top Mode
Walking
CO₂ Index
1,305

Traffic Indexes

Time Index
27.9
Time Exp. Index
45.5
Inefficiency Index
78.8
CO₂ Emission Index
1305.5

Commute Mode Split

Walking
67.7%
Car
12.9%
Bus
6.5%
Train
12.9%
Numbeo — Traffic data

Pollution & Environment in qingdao

Qingdao has a moderate air quality index of 50.47. While the air quality is not perfect, it is still suitable for digital nomads. However, those with respiratory issues may want to take precautions.

Moderate air quality indexSuitable for most digital nomads
Pollution Index
50.47/ 100
Cleanliness: 50/100

Overview

Air Quality
57/100
Good quality
Drinking Water
64/100
Good quality
Green Spaces
68/100
Good quality
Noise Level
44/100
Moderate noise

Pollution Levels — Lower is better

Air pollution
42.59
Drinking water pollution
36.22
Noise & light pollution
55.61
Water pollution
61.22
Dirty / untidy
30.5

Quality Metrics — Higher is better

Air quality
57.41
Drinking water quality
63.78
Garbage disposal
58.5
Clean & tidy
69.5
Water quality
38.78

Livability

Green & parks quality
67.86
Comfortable to walk
60.5
Quiet at night
44.39
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Look for accommodation on quiet streets or higher floors to escape noise and light pollution.
  • Avoid swimming in local rivers or lakes — water pollution levels are elevated.
Numbeo — Pollution data

Real Estate Market in qingdao

Qingdao's housing market is relatively affordable, with rent prices starting from $213 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center. However, buying property can be more expensive, with a price-to-income ratio of 12.15.

Affordable rent optionsModerate housing costs
Price-to-Income Ratio
12.2years
Loan affordability: 1.2

Overview

1BR City Centre
$346
1BR Outside
$213
Avg Salary/Mo
$1160
Mortgage Rate
3.4%

Buy vs Rent

Price-to-Income
12.2 yrs
Mortgage % Income
83.6%
Loan Affordability
1.2
Price-to-Rent Centre
42.9
Price-to-Rent Outside
43.6

Rental Yields & Returns

Gross Yield Centre
2.3%
Gross Yield Outside
2.3%

Apartment Prices

City Centre

1-Bedroom$346
3-Bedroom$744
Price per sqm$3522

Outside Centre

1-Bedroom$213
3-Bedroom$419
Price per sqm$2113
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Buying property requires 12.2 years of salary — renting is more practical for nomads.
  • Mortgage costs take up 83.6% of income — renting offers more flexibility.
  • Loan affordability is low — plan for upfront cash payments if considering property.
Numbeo — Property data

Frequently Asked Questions About qingdao

What is the cost of living in Qingdao?
The cost of living in Qingdao is relatively low, with a monthly budget of $393 excluding rent. Rent prices vary, with a 1-bedroom apartment costing around $345 per month in the city center.
Is Qingdao a safe city?
Yes, Qingdao is an extremely safe city, with a safety index of 88.36. The crime rate is very low, and residents and visitors can feel secure walking alone at night.
What is the climate like in Qingdao?
Qingdao has a tropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The best months to visit are April to June and September to October, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.
Is Qingdao suitable for digital nomads?
Yes, Qingdao is a great destination for digital nomads. The city offers a low cost of living, fast and reliable internet, and a relatively affordable housing market.
What are the visa requirements for Qingdao?
Qingdao does not offer a specific digital nomad visa, but visitors can apply for a standard Chinese visa. The visa application process can be complex, and requirements vary depending on the individual's circumstances.
What is the healthcare like in Qingdao?
Qingdao has an excellent healthcare system, with a healthcare index of 76.72. Medical facilities are well-equipped, and staff are highly skilled.
Can I find coworking spaces in Qingdao?
Qingdao has a limited coworking scene, with no dedicated coworking spaces. Digital nomads may need to rely on cafes, business centers, or home offices for their work.
Is Qingdao a good destination for remote work?
Yes, Qingdao is a great destination for remote work. The city offers fast and reliable internet, a relatively low cost of living, and a comfortable climate.

Key Takeaways

Quick insights for each category

Mild Winters and Hot Summers: Understanding Qingdao's Climate

Qingdao's climate is ideal for digital nomads who prefer mild winters and don't mind hot summers.

A Very Safe City: Understanding Safety and Security in Qingdao

Qingdao is an extremely safe city, making it an excellent choice for digital nomads.

Affordable Living: Understanding the Cost of Living in Qingdao

Qingdao offers an affordable cost of living, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads on a budget.

Fast and Reliable Internet: A Digital Nomad's Dream

Qingdao's fast and reliable internet makes it an ideal destination for digital nomads.

Understanding Visas and Digital Nomad Visas in Qingdao

Digital nomads should research the visa requirements for Qingdao and plan accordingly.

Limited Coworking Options: What to Expect

Digital nomads should be prepared to work from cafes or home offices in Qingdao.

High-Quality Healthcare: What to Expect in Qingdao

Qingdao's healthcare system is of high quality, providing peace of mind for digital nomads.

Stable Electricity: A Digital Nomad's Requirement

Qingdao's stable electricity grid and renewable energy share make it an attractive destination for digital nomads.

Light Traffic: A Commuter's Delight

Qingdao's light traffic makes it easy to navigate the city.

Moderate Air Quality: What to Expect

Qingdao's air quality is moderate, and digital nomads should be aware of the potential risks.

Affordable Housing: A Digital Nomad's Guide

Qingdao offers affordable rent options, but buying property can be more expensive.

Exploring Nearby Destinations

Digital nomads can explore nearby destinations to experience the local culture and scenery.