I will be in Shanghai in June for a month.
Will it be less expensive to rent an apartment for a month than to pay the daily rate for a hotel?

Your responses will be appreciated.

I think in this instance, this is all a case of semantics. For one month, you will probably stay in a serviced apartment as one month leases on regular apartments are not available. Serviced apartments as well as hotels come in all price ranges. It also depends where in Shanghai you want to stay as downtown city locations are about twice the price of places that are available by subway within 20 minutes from downtown. For a full month all things being equal, you may save a little in a serviced apartment. Hotels that are acceptable by western standards start at about $USD 30 per night.

To rent a apartment is cheaper, that's for sure, but it would be difficult to look for a good one as you are not in SH. what's more, you may have to deposit some besides the rent, and tell them you would only be there for one month (most of them requiry at least 6 months, or they will take the deposit) As I know to rent a good one, with everything inside and in a good position of the city may cost more than 2000 yuan (USD 300 at least).
But to stay in hotel you don't have to worry, just book online, and bargain over the price, and you can easily change another one too. the price will be around 100 yuan (USD 18) per night. if you don't have to stay in a five-star hotel, hehe.

USD 18, don't know why a smile comes up.