Beijing and Shanghai are both large cities in China, and both have a relatively high cost of living. Some indicators show that there is not much difference between the cost of living in Beijing and Shanghai. Here is some information for your reference:

House prices: According to the latest data, house prices in both Beijing and Shanghai are among the highest in the country. Undoubtedly, this is one of the main reasons for the higher cost of living in both cities.

Food: Some people think that food prices are higher in Shanghai, but this is not always true. For example, according to some surveys, there is not much price difference between the same food in Beijing and Shanghai.

Transportation: Public ****transportation is relatively inexpensive in Beijing and Shanghai, but private transportation, such as buying a car, is expensive. Also, traffic congestion during peak hours is a common problem in both cities and can increase transportation costs.

Overall, there is little difference, and if you need to choose a cheaper city to live in, it may also depend on your specific needs and expectations.