Livelihood issues affect people’s daily life，social progress and the development of the whole country.Through a survey of basic livelihood and life satisfaction of Chinese residents，the Social Survey Center of Public Opinion Research Laboratory in Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that nearly half of the respondents had a monthly income of 1500-5000 Yuan；almost half of them spent 501-2000 Yuan monthly on main and supplementary foodstuffs；their average outlays on education varied，and those who thought it affordable slightly out numbered those who did not.Most of their medical expenses were less than 3000 Yuan each year，and half of them thought it affordable.The respondents’ physical conditions were generally good.As for housing，respondents with agricultural accounts mainly built their own houses or lived in rental ones；nearly half of the non-agriculture account respondents had bought commercial houses.As for social security，87.5% of the respondents had bought medical insurance，72.6% of the respondents joined social endowment insurance.At the same time，the study found that more than 60% of the respondents thought that their living standard was better compared to five years ago；more than 70% of the respondents believed that their living standard was at an average or even lower level.The respondents were lead quite a harmonious family life generally；their life stress was mainly caused by inflation，low household income，and housing problems.Respondents were contented with their current occupation，but not with their incomes. <<