How Big a House Can I Buy in China? (2026 Budget-to-Size Calculator)
This China property budget calculator starts with your total budget and converts it into an estimated apartment size. It is useful when you know how much capital you can deploy but need to compare whether that money buys a studio in Beijing, a two-bedroom in Chengdu, or a larger home in Wuhan or Chongqing. The result is a planning range, not a promise that a specific unit is available.
Understanding Your Results
The floor-area range is calculated by dividing your net property budget by the selected city's low-to-high price band for that tier. When taxes and fees are included, the calculator reserves about 6% of the total budget before estimating size. That makes the result more conservative and closer to a real purchase plan because buyers rarely spend every yuan on the property price alone. Read the output as a size envelope: the lower number is more likely in better locations or newer properties, while the higher number points to older stock, less central districts, or weaker amenities.
Budget-to-Size Calculation Method
This calculator reverses the usual house-price question. Instead of asking how much a selected apartment costs, it asks how much apartment your budget can buy. The method converts the entered budget into CNY, optionally reserves 6% for taxes and fees, then divides the remaining property budget by the selected city's price tier. The result is a square-meter range because a buyer can usually buy more space in older or outer stock and less space in central, newer, or school-linked properties.
Example
A buyer with a total budget of ¥3M in Chengdu at the mid-range tier, using an assumed ¥30k/sqm price, would have approximately ¥2.82Mavailable for the property after estimated taxes and fees. That translates to roughly 85-94 sqm in many planning scenarios, which is a comfortable two-bedroom apartment in central or near-central districts. If the same buyer switches to Beijing or Shanghai, the estimated size drops sharply; if they compare Chongqing or Wuhan, the same budget may stretch to a larger family unit.
Static Budget Examples
| Budget and city | Estimated net property budget | Estimated floor area | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¥3M in Chengdu, mid tier | About ¥2.82M after fees | Roughly 85-94 sqm | Often a comfortable two-bedroom apartment. |
| ¥3M in Beijing, lower tier | About ¥2.82M after fees | Often below 80 sqm in many practical districts | Usually a compact unit or outer-district compromise. |
| ¥2M in Chongqing, mid tier | About ¥1.88M after fees | Can exceed 100 sqm in some mainstream areas | Useful for buyers prioritizing space over Tier-1 liquidity. |
Data Limitations
The calculator uses broad city ranges and a simple 6% fee allowance. It does not model school district premiums, subway distance, building age, renovation condition, exact tax treatment, or developer discounts. Confirm market supply before treating a size estimate as achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "total budget" mean in this calculator?
Total budget means the full amount you can allocate to the purchase, including cash, mortgage proceeds, and closing-cost allowance. If the taxes and fees box is checked, the model reserves about 6% for transaction costs before calculating floor area.
Why does the floor area change when I tick "include taxes and fees"?
Because part of your budget is no longer available for the property price itself. Reserving 6% for taxes and fees leaves a smaller net property budget, so the estimated square-meter range falls.
How do I know which price tier to choose?
Choose low for outer districts or older units, mid for ordinary urban resale stock, and high for central districts, strong school access, newer compounds, or scarce premium supply. If unsure, start with mid and test low and high.
Can I use this calculator for new developments?
Yes for early planning, but new developments can price differently from resale apartments because of developer positioning, delivery timing, decoration, location, and policy restrictions. Always compare against current project price sheets.
Related Guides
Estimate price, mortgage, budget size, and rent vs buy scenarios
Compare China house prices by city and tier
Budget taxes, agent fees, down payment, and closing costs
Check residence, self-use, documentation, and approval rules
Sources & Disclaimer
City price assumptions use broad public reference ranges and China House Blog research updated in May 2026. Taxes, mortgage terms, eligibility rules, and local transaction practices can change by city, buyer status, property type, and bank policy.
These calculators are educational planning tools only. They are not legal, tax, lending, valuation, or investment advice. Verify current prices, policy, financing, and closing costs with qualified local professionals before making a purchase decision.