Why Shanghai, China changes your FIRE math
Shanghai is useful for people comparing high-opportunity global cities where earnings potential and spending pressure both run high.
Small shifts in recurring expenses can move the required FIRE portfolio by hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.
The real question is not just salary level, but how much of that salary turns into consistent long-term invested capital.
Local tax context
China — ~6% effective
Compared with a $52,000/year US baseline
$20,000 lower
25x rule implication
Every $1,000/year you cut lowers the target by $25,000.