With the recent economic take-off, Beijing residents are generally well off in terms of living standard and are marching towards a more affluence life.  In 2002, the average per capita disposable income of Beijing's urban residents was 12,463.9 Yuan (approximately 1,501.67 U.S. dollars) and the average living expenses was 10,286 Yuan (approximately 1,239.28 U.S. dollars) per person. 

Consumption structure of Beijing residents has seen significant changes during recent years with the ever-reducing basic living expenses for survival and increasing expenditures devoted to leisure and development among the gross expenditures. 

Engel's Coefficient for urban residents of Beijing was 33.8%.  The per capita living space of urban residents in Beijing was 18.2 square meters.  The average per capita disposable income of Beijing's rural residents in 2002 was 5,880 Yuan (approximately 708.43 U.S. dollars) and the average living space per person was 32.6 square meters.
 
[Beijing Foreign Affairs Office]