Many of us are familiar with Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. But have you heard of New Taipei City? Where is it located, and how is it different from Taipei? What districts does each city cover?
Taipei and New Taipei City are both located in northern Taiwan, and both are classified as “special municipalities.” But the similarities end there. If you’re a newcomer, it’s important to learn how to distinguish between the two cities — not only in terms of location but also cost of living, job opportunities, salaries, transportation, and other aspects.
Differences Between Taipei and New Taipei City
In this article, we will take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Taipei and New Taipei City. In particular, we will compare them based on geography, population, cost of living, job opportunities, salaries, transportation, landmarks, and communities.
Geography and Population
First things first: location. Taipei, the capital city, is surrounded by the much larger New Taipei City. In other words, New Taipei City completely encircles Taipei. Now, let’s take a look at the district composition, land area, and population of each city.
Situated in the northern part of the country, Taipei covers a total land area of 271.80 square kilometers. It is composed of 12 districts: Beitou, Daan, Datong, Nangang, Neihu, Shilin, Songshan, Wanhua, Wenshan, Xinyi, Zhongshan, and Zhongzheng. The city government headquarters is located in Xinyi District. As of March 2023, the population of Taipei City was almost 2.5 million.
New Taipei City, on the other hand, is much larger — spanning 2,052.57 square kilometers, almost eight times bigger than Taipei in terms of total area. In fact, New Taipei City is the largest municipality in the whole country! It is composed of 29 districts, namely: Bali, Banqiao, Gongliao, Jinshan, Linkou, Luzhou, Pinglin, Pingxi, Ruifang, Sanchong, Sanxia, Sanzhi, Shenkeng, Shiding, Shimen, Shuangxi, Shulin, Taishan, Tamsui, Tucheng, Wanli, Wugu, Wulai, Xindian, Xinzhuang, Xizhi, Yingge, Yonghe, and Zhonghe.
Notably, New Taipei City used to be called “Taipei County.” In 2010, its population exceeded two million (the limit for county status), and so it was renamed “New Taipei City.” As of January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 4 million — making it the most populous city in the whole country! The municipal seat of New Taipei City is headquartered in Banqiao District.
Image Credit: travel.taipei
Cost of Living
Generally speaking, Taipei has a higher cost of living than New Taipei City. This applies to housing and properties (both purchase and rental costs), food and groceries, dining out, and entertainment.
In contrast, the cost of living in New Taipei City is lower, especially housing and rental costs. That being said, costs may still vary per district, with areas that are closer to Taipei being more expensive than districts that are farther away from the capital.
Job Opportunities and Salaries
Taipei is regarded as the “economic hub” of Taiwan; therefore, it offers more job opportunities in finance, international business, “higher end” education, technology, tourism, and other sectors. There are jobs available for entry-level and higher level positions.
At the same time, New Taipei City is fast becoming a “business-industrial hub,” with more than 300,000 factories and companies. There are numerous job opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, services, technology, tourism, and other sectors. What’s more, there are job openings available for entry-level and higher level positions, as well.
When it comes to wages, reports show that the average salaries in Taipei are about 9 percent higher than those in New Taipei City. Nonetheless, it is clear that both cities are able to provide employment opportunities for all types of workers.
Image Credit: newtaipei.travel
Transportation
Taipei has an excellent and well-developed public transportation system. Getting around the capital city is easy and convenient, thanks to the Taipei Metro and other means of transportation.
Likewise, the public transportation system in New Taipei City is also good. It has connections to the Taipei Metro, although obviously, some areas are farther and take a longer time to reach the capital.
Since Taipei and New Taipei City are connected by the metro, travel between the two cities is typically fast and easy. In fact, many residents from New Taipei City commute daily to work in Taipei, while taking advantage of the lower living costs in their areas.
Landmarks and Attractions
Every year, millions of visitors come to Taipei, and the tourism industry here is thriving. The city has many landmarks, including: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, Taipei 101 Skyscraper, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Ximending, Dihua Street, Shilin Night Market, and Yangmingshan National Park, to name a few.
Similarly, New Taipei City features plenty of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Some of the most popular attractions here are: Jiufen Old Street, Sanxia Old Street, Shifen Old Street, Tamsui Old Street, Wulai Old Street, Houtong, Shifen Waterfall, Laomei Green Reef, and Yehliu Geopark.
Image Credit: newtaipei.travel
Culture and Community
As the country’s capital, Taipei has a diverse population, which includes foreign workers and residents from all over the world. There are many establishments, both traditional and modern — offering various activities, recreation, and entertainment.
On the other hand, New Taipei City has a more “suburban” feel. There are plenty of establishments, though daily life appears “slower” and less hectic, compared to living in the capital.
That being said, since Taipei and New Taipei City are well-connected by the metro, travel between them is easy… making it possible for residents to experience both city and suburban life!
Image Credit: travel.taipei
Taipei and New Taipei City may have its differences, but there are many similarities, as well. Both cities offer opportunities for employment, and both have a flourishing tourism industry. What’s more, travel within and between these cities is convenient, thanks to the country’s well-developed public transportation system!
Aside from Taipei and New Taipei City, there are other places in Taiwan where you could reside in and build a career. Check out this article to learn about the best cities in Taiwan for Filipinos to live in!