Objective To investigate quality of life (QOL) of living related kidney donors and recipients after renal transplantation. Methods The demographic, socioeconomic, transplantation process, data of QOL and psychosocial outcomes of 169 living related kidney donors and recipients were analyzed by self-made sociodemographic questionnaire, short form 36 health survey (SF-36), Zung self-rating anxiety(SAS) and depression scales(SDS). Results Most donors (81.8%, 90/110) and recipients (83.1%, 103/124) were with an education background of secondary school or lower; and 85.5%(94/110) of donors and 54.8%(68/124) of recipients had moderate- or low-incomes. The donors were predominantly females (61.8%, 68/110). A few donors (5.5%, 6/110) witnessed a negative impact on their marriage due to kidney donation. The evaluation results of the donors’ QOL were not significantly different from those of the Chinese norm, and they had no anxiety or depression after operation. The QOL of recipients was greatly improved compared with the patients on hemodialysis. There was slight anxiety (1.6%, 2/124) and depression (5.6%, 7/124) among recipients. Conclusion Living related kidney transplantation has no noticeable adverse effect on the lives and psychological aspects of donors and can significantly improve the lives of recipients. Careful donor selection, close follow-up and social support are recommended for them.