Objective To examine the quality of life QoL among patients with gastrointestinal cancer GIC in China and to explore the association between overall socioeconomic status SES and QoL. Method Data were derived from the Investigation on Nutrition Status and Its Clinical Outcome of Common Cancers INSCOC . Patients with GIC from October 2013 to October 2023 were selected. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 EORTC QLQ-C30 was used for QoL assessment. A linear regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between SES and QoL. Result A total of 12 006 GIC patients were included with a mean QoL summary score of 86. 77 ± 12. 04. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that overall SES was positively correlated with the QoL summary score b = 1. 89 P < 0. 001 b = 1. 94 P < 0. 01 functional scale b = 14. 90 P < 0. 001 b = 17. 75 P < 0. 001 and global health status/ QoL b = 3. 21 P < 0. 001 b = 4. 19 P < 0. 001 and negatively correlated with symptom scale / item scores b = -21. 01 P < 0. 001 b = -26. 28 P < 0. 001 . The associations between the three SES indicators and QoL summary score functional scale global health status/ QoL and symptom scale / item were similar to the overall SES. However employment status was not significantly associated with global health status/ QoL. Conclusion The QoL of patients with GIC in China needs improvement. Social and economic support should be strengthened to enhance their quality of life.