Anything we can do, they can do -- and usually cheaper

1. How much does a nose job cost?

L.A. $3,332

Shanghai $250

2. How much bottled water is guzzled yearly per person?

L.A. 40 liters

Shanghai eight liters

3. How much does it cost to fill a 15-gallon gasoline tank?

L.A. $37.50 at $2.50/gallon

Shanghai $27.75 at $1.85/gallon

4. How much does it cost to take the crosstown bus?

L.A. $1.25

Shanghai 25 cents (no A/C: 12 cents )

5. What does it cost to fill up on dumplings?

L.A. $4 for eight

Shanghai 25 cents for eight

6. What does a month at a top kindergarten cost?

L.A. $1,120

Shanghai $48

7. How much does a house cost?

L.A. $320 per square foot

Shanghai $270 per square foot

8. How much does a BMW 530i cost?

L.A. $46,500

Shanghai $72,252

9. What’s the average income?

L.A. $20,683 in 1999

Shanghai $3,720 in 2000

10. How long is the average commute?

L.A. 29 minutes

Shanghai 40 minutes

11. How many people live in the city?

L.A. 3.7 million in 2000

Shanghai 16.74 million in 2000

Sources: 1) American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Guardian; 2) Shanghai Star; 3) Department of Energy, Sinocast; 4) interview; 5) interview; 6) Corinne A. Seeds University Elementary School, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences; 7) China Daily, Real Estate Journal; 8) International Herald Tribune; 9) U.S. Census Bureau, People’s Daily Online; 10) U.S. Census Bureau, Asiaweek.com; 11) U.S. Census Bureau, Shanghai Population Census