At a glance
| Factor | Beijing | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | RMB 220,000 to 380,000 (USD 31,000 to 53,000) | EUR 15,000 to 27,000 (USD 16,300 to 29,300) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American, Canadian | IB, British, American, Italian-bilingual |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Beijing and Rome are broadly similar on living costs; Beijing housing in expat areas is roughly 25 percent higher (Numbeo, May 2026) | |
| Family visa | Z work visa with S1 dependent visa for spouse and children | Italian Nulla Osta work permit plus family reunification |
| Expat share of population | Around 0.3 percent of Beijing metro, concentrated in Shunyi and Chaoyang | Around 10 percent of Rome metro |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks |
Beijing is the higher-fee city by some distance, but corporate packages routinely include school fees and housing. Rome is a Mediterranean lifestyle play with smaller school choice but EU residency and broader weekend travel. Both run rigorous IB Diploma pathways.
Schools landscape side by side
Beijing's international market is among the deepest in Asia. Flagships include the International School of Beijing (ISB) in Shunyi, the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), Beijing City International School (BCIS) in Chaoyang, Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow Beijing, Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS), the Canadian International School and the British School of Beijing. Most run IB Diploma; Dulwich and Harrow run A Levels. See the Beijing schools hub.
Rome has a smaller but well-regarded international tier. Flagships include the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR), the Rome International School (RIS), St George's British International School, Marymount International School and the Britannia International School. The Lycee Francais Chateaubriand and the German School complete European-language coverage. Most run IB Diploma or A Levels; a few combine Italian Maturita as a bilingual route. See the Rome schools hub.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Beijing premium IB and British fees at ISB, WAB, BCIS, Dulwich and Harrow sit between RMB 280,000 and RMB 380,000 per year (USD 39,000 to 53,000). Mid-tier American and Canadian options run RMB 180,000 to RMB 260,000. Add a one-off capital levy at the British and American flagships of RMB 50,000 to RMB 100,000, plus bus and meals. The all-in cost typically runs 15 to 25 percent above headline tuition. See the fees explorer.
Rome premium IB and British fees at AOSR, RIS, St George's and Marymount run EUR 18,000 to EUR 27,000 per year (USD 19,500 to 29,300) for upper secondary. Primary fees run EUR 13,000 to EUR 19,000. Bilingual scuole paritarie deliver English-Italian programmes at EUR 6,000 to EUR 14,000, the most affordable European option. Capital fees of EUR 500 to 1,500 per year plus bus at EUR 2,000 to 3,500 are typical add-ons.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover IB and Cambridge pathways. Beijing tilts heavily IB at ISB, WAB and BCIS, with Cambridge A Level concentrated at Dulwich and Harrow. Rome splits more evenly: IB at AOSR, RIS and Marymount, A Levels at St George's and Britannia, plus bilingual Italian-English provision at scuole paritarie. The IB Diploma remains the most portable credential. Mandarin acquisition in Beijing is a serious career asset for younger children; Italian fluency in Rome is less directly career-relevant but excellent for cultural integration.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Beijing expat families cluster in Shunyi (Capital Paradise, River Garden, Yosemite) for ISB and the British School, in Chaoyang (Sanlitun, Lido) for WAB, BCIS and YCIS, and in Liangmaqiao for the diplomatic district. A four-bedroom villa in Shunyi runs RMB 35,000 to RMB 60,000 per month (USD 4,900 to 8,400).
In Rome expat families pick the leafy north of the city, Parioli and Camilluccia for proximity to AOSR and Marymount, Cassia and Olgiata for those who want suburban villa living near St George's and Marymount Primary, and EUR district for those who want modern infrastructure. A four-bedroom apartment in Parioli runs EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,000 per month.
Lifestyle and climate
Beijing has a continental climate, minus 5 to 30 degrees, with cold dry winters and warm humid summers. Air quality has improved markedly since 2015 but still has bad days in winter; most schools have indoor air-filtered domes for sport. Family weekends lean on the Great Wall, 798 art district and short flights to Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul. Rome is Mediterranean: 4 to 32 degrees, hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Family life is centred on piazzas, gelato and the coast at Ostia or Fregene 30 minutes away, plus weekend trips across the EU on cheap flights.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Beijing if you are joining a regional HQ or multinational on a full package, want Mandarin immersion for your child and value academic intensity. Five-year savings against most Western hubs are excellent when tuition and housing are covered.
Choose Rome if you want a Mediterranean lifestyle, EU residency on the back of an Italian work permit, and acceptable IB and British schools at half the Beijing fee. Italian schools are quieter, calmer and place strongly into UK and US universities. Most families we work with model both through the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beijing or Rome cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Rome is materially cheaper on tuition. Premium IB and British at AOSR, RIS, St George's and Marymount runs EUR 18,000 to EUR 27,000 per child. Beijing premium IB and British at ISB, WAB, BCIS, Dulwich and Harrow runs RMB 280,000 to RMB 380,000 (USD 39,000 to 53,000). Living costs are broadly comparable, with Beijing expat-area housing running slightly higher.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Beijing has greater depth and a higher concentration of British and American flagships, plus the world's largest concentration of Dulwich and Harrow campuses outside the UK. Rome has fewer but consistently strong IB and British options. Quality at the top is comparable for IB Diploma; British depth and scale favour Beijing.
Is the family visa easier in Beijing or Rome?
Beijing is faster. China's Z work visa with S1 dependent visa is typically issued in eight to twelve weeks. Italy's Nulla Osta work permit followed by family reunification usually takes ten to sixteen weeks, with annual renewal through the Questura for the first five years.
How does the climate compare for families?
Beijing is continental, minus 5 to 30 degrees, with cold dry winters, warm humid summers and the occasional poor air-quality day. Rome is Mediterranean, 4 to 32 degrees, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Outdoor sport runs year-round in Rome and is excellent in Beijing from April to October.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Beijing families cluster in Shunyi (Capital Paradise, River Garden) and Chaoyang (Sanlitun, Lido). In Rome they pick Parioli, Cassia and Olgiata, plus the EUR business district, chosen for school proximity and weekend travel access.
