How Much Did People in Ancient Rome and China Earn in Today’s Money? (5 photos)

Ancient people certainly had different life priorities, values, and religious beliefs, but their basic needs were remarkably similar to our own: they needed food, clothing, and shelter. And all of that required money. Researchers set out to calculate average incomes in Ancient Rome—and even compared them to what people were making halfway across the world in ancient China. The results were surprisingly eye-opening.





A Quick Look at Ancient Economics

By the early part of the first millennium, the Roman Empire was the dominant powerhouse across Europe and much of Asia, with its only real rival being Han-dynasty China. American researchers set out to calculate the average incomes in these two ancient empires. To make the numbers relatable, they converted these historical earnings into modern US dollars—allowing us to see how ancient paychecks stack up against what we earn today.



Measuring grain. Mosaic from Ostia

The researchers compared the two empires at their respective peaks: 165 AD for Rome and 2 AD for the Han Dynasty. While both societies had extreme wealth disparities, the study focused on the median income of the vast majority of the population.

To standardize their analysis, researchers used a universal benchmark: wheat, a vital commodity in both Europe and Asia. They calculated that a basic subsistence level for one person per year was roughly 333 kilograms of grain. This figure covered not only the food needed to survive (equivalent to about 250 kg of wheat), but also the additional grain required to trade for essential non-food goods.





Chinese peasants working in the field. Illustration from an antique book

Historical records indicate that per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in Ancient Rome was about 750 kilograms of wheat—roughly 2.25 times the subsistence level. Conditions in the Han Empire were slightly lower, with an average annual per capita GDP of around 626 kg of wheat, or 1.88 times subsistence level. This suggests that the average Roman citizen enjoyed a higher standard of living than their Asian counterparts.

Average Earnings in Both Empires

Of course, GDP alone doesn't reflect actual take-home pay—it's merely a broad indicator of national economic output. However, by comparing income brackets against subsistence costs, researchers estimated actual earnings for ordinary citizens. It turns out that around 70 percent of Romans earned between 1.34 and 1.88 times the subsistence level, equivalent to 446–626 kg of wheat per person annually.



In Han China, the vast majority of the population were subsistence farmers. Roughly 75 percent earned between 1.03 and 1.44 times the subsistence level—or about 342–479 kg of wheat per year. The final step was converting these historical figures into a modern, relatable currency: US dollars.

To bridge the gap, researchers benchmarked these 2,000-year-old figures against the basic cost of living for an average American in 1990—pegged at roughly $400 per month (chosen for the dollar's relative stability that year). Based on 1990 US wheat prices, the average Roman earned roughly $536 to $752 per month in today's terms. Meanwhile, a resident of Han China made around $412 to $576 per month.



Looking at 1990 US dollars might make those numbers seem modest at first glance, but purchasing power tells a fuller story. Quality of life isn't just about cash flow; it's about what that money can buy. Given the lifestyle and lower consumer expectations of the ancient world, these incomes were likely enough to support a reasonably comfortable existence.

Fascinating, isn't it? Despite thousands of years separating us, we have far more in common with ancient civilizations than it might seem. What do you think—if you had to choose between living in Ancient Rome or Han China, which would you pick and why? Let us know in the comments below!