Living in Beijing is generally affordable, especially when compared to hotels in the Schengen zone. For instance, the most luxurious hotels in Beijing (4-5 stars) typically range from 55 to 510 USD per night.
If you opt for central Beijing hostels, you can expect to pay around 8 USD per bed in a shared room or starting from 23 USD for a double room per night. As you move towards the outskirts, room prices tend to become more budget-friendly. The Chongwen district, known for its chain of economical hostels, and the Zhaodaisuo district offer some of the cheapest accommodation options in Beijing.