I lived there in 2010 and lived in a big but old and problem free furnished apartment for 1500pcm, it's probably gone up a bit but I have no idea since I haven't had to rent since I left. Of course you can pay as much as you like, I think my friend who had a really nice modern one was paying 2500. These were both within walking distance of the main shopping street.
Overall I remember it being cheap, but I live in Hangzhou now which is expensive
Even though it's a small city it's got all the stuff like gyms and pools although I never went to either. There is a massive less than 5 years old public sports centre in the business district with a pool, tennis courts etc which looked very impressive when I went past it and I bet there are a lot of private gyms with dance classes etc again though, I never went