Taipei

City Overview

Taipei is Taiwan's capital, blending Chinese heritage with a modern urban vibe. More affordable than Hong Kong or Japan, with vibrant night markets, efficient MRT, and friendly locals — one of the most livable cities in the Chinese-speaking world.

Cost of Living Snapshot

Source: RichBay editorial estimate — indicative, not guaranteed Estimate baseline: 2026-07-20 · Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around Taipei

Dense MRT network covers the city; buses fill gaps. Scooters are the dominant local transport. YouBike sharing is convenient and affordable.

Main transport

• Taipei Metro (MRT) ↗ A clean, frequent network covering the city and near suburbs; tap on with an EasyCard. Trains run every 2–6 minutes.
• Buses A dense bus network fills the gaps between MRT lines; the same EasyCard gives a discounted transfer to and from the metro within an hour.
• YouBike & THSR YouBike public bikes are everywhere and integrate with the EasyCard; the THSR high-speed rail reaches Taichung and Kaohsiung in 1–2 hours.
• Taxis & scooters Metered taxis are cheap and plentiful; the city runs on scooters, though newcomers usually stick to the MRT + YouBike.

Typical costs

Airport access

• Taoyuan International (TPE) ↗ The main international gateway ~40 km west: the Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in ~35 min (NT$150); THSR and buses are alternatives.
• Songshan (TSA) ↗ The compact downtown airport for domestic and short-haul regional flights — directly on MRT lines (Brown/Green), minutes from the centre.

Good to know for newcomers

• Buy an EasyCard (悠遊卡, NT$100 refundable deposit) — it covers MRT, buses, YouBike and most convenience stores, and undercuts single-ride fares.
• If you commute, the TPASS (NT$1,200/mo) usually pays off within a few weeks and covers the whole greater-Taipei area.
• No eating or drinking anywhere in the MRT system — fines are enforced; finish your bubble tea before the gates.
• From Taoyuan, the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station is the simplest option — NT$150, ~35 min, and it runs late.

Commuting & where to live

• Rent tracks MRT proximity; central Da’an/Xinyi cost most, while New Taipei stops (Banqiao, Xindian, Sanchong) on the same lines cut rent sharply.
• The TPASS makes living further out along an MRT line cheap to commute from — pick the line to your workplace, not just the district.
• Locals rely heavily on scooters, but newcomers can live comfortably car- and scooter-free on the MRT + YouBike + bus.
• Rush hour on the Bannan (blue) and Tamsui-Xinyi (red) lines is intense — fewer transfers matters more than raw distance.

Housing & Neighborhoods

Universities in Taipei (1)

• National Taiwan University

Deep Dive Guides

Why Live Here

• Vibrant night market culture, street food paradise
• Safe city, welcoming to foreign residents
• National Health Insurance covers ARC holders
• Chinese-language environment, easy cultural integration