Shanghai's consumer price index, a gauge of inflation and price levels, increased by 3.1 percent last year. Food prices accounted for 7.7 percent of the rise.

The survey showed that among the 29 percent of respondents whose wages had increased, only 9 percent said their pay had gone up by more than 10 percent.

Lu You said she pays 8 yuan a day for commuting, 30 yuan for food and 1,800 a month in rent for a one-bedroom apartment, while saving 1,000 yuan a month for rainy days. "That takes up the bulk of my 5,000-yuan salary, leaving me hardly any money for entertainment."

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