Cost of living in Macao is 127% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 48 prices entered by 5 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 110% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 110% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 89 Pataca (955 Ngultrum) | 468 Ngultrum | + 104% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 45 Pataca (488 Ngultrum) | 510 Ngultrum | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 35 Pataca (381 Ngultrum) | 216 Ngultrum | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Pataca (177 Ngultrum) | 76 Ngultrum | + 133% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 29 Pataca (315 Ngultrum) | 152 Ngultrum | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 26 Pataca (285 Ngultrum) | 61 Ngultrum | + 365% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 59 Pataca (632 Ngultrum) | 353 Ngultrum | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Pataca (253 Ngultrum) | 146 Ngultrum | + 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 23 Pataca (250 Ngultrum) | 38 Ngultrum | + 556% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 11 Pataca (119 Ngultrum) | 75 Ngultrum | + 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 120 Pataca (1,290 Ngultrum) | 683 Ngultrum | + 89% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 14 Pataca (153 Ngultrum) | 91 Ngultrum | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 18 Pataca (191 Ngultrum) | 41 Ngultrum | + 360% | |
| Housing | + 276% | |||
| Housing in Macao is 276% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,912 Pataca (193,026 Ngultrum) | 38,226 Ngultrum | + 405% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,482 Pataca (134,509 Ngultrum) | 23,365 Ngultrum | + 476% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 845 Pataca (9,108 Ngultrum) | 3,395 Ngultrum | + 168% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 11,749 Pataca (126,618 Ngultrum) | 31,702 Ngultrum | + 299% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,195 Pataca (88,316 Ngultrum) | 18,938 Ngultrum | + 366% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 664 Pataca (7,151 Ngultrum) | 3,867 Ngultrum | + 85% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 175 Pataca (1,888 Ngultrum) | 887 Ngultrum | + 113% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,906 Pataca (63,647 Ngultrum) | 40,494 Ngultrum | + 57% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,290 Pataca (13,904 Ngultrum) | 7,715 Ngultrum | + 80% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 80 Pataca (860 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 178% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 42 Pataca (455 Ngultrum) | 325 Ngultrum | + 40% | |
| Clothes | + 90% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 90% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 617 Pataca (6,647 Ngultrum) | 2,784 Ngultrum | + 139% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 328 Pataca (3,534 Ngultrum) | 2,143 Ngultrum | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 681 Pataca (7,340 Ngultrum) | 5,991 Ngultrum | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,013 Pataca (10,915 Ngultrum) | 3,388 Ngultrum | + 222% | |
| Transportation | + 36% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is 36% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 272,113 Pataca (2,932,455 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | + 91% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 11 Pataca (120 Ngultrum) | 63 Ngultrum | + 92% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 223 Pataca (2,406 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | + 5% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 101 Pataca (1,083 Ngultrum) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 139% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 139% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 61 Pataca (653 Ngultrum) | 118 Ngultrum | + 453% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 114 Pataca (1,224 Ngultrum) | 294 Ngultrum | + 316% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 291 Pataca (3,132 Ngultrum) | 2,498 Ngultrum | + 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 42 Pataca (458 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | + 76% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 Pataca (366 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | + 84% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 62 Pataca (667 Ngultrum) | 309 Ngultrum | + 115% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13 Pataca (142 Ngultrum) | 107 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 24 Pataca (263 Ngultrum) | 55 Ngultrum | + 378% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 261 Pataca (2,812 Ngultrum) | 350 Ngultrum | + 703% | |
| Entertainment | + 163% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 163% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 338 Pataca (3,639 Ngultrum) | 1,515 Ngultrum | + 140% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 262 Pataca (2,825 Ngultrum) | 472 Ngultrum | + 499% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,290 Pataca (13,905 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 718% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 620 Pataca (6,681 Ngultrum) | 2,274 Ngultrum | + 194% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 97 Pataca (1,045 Ngultrum) | 726 Ngultrum | + 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 41 Pataca (443 Ngultrum) | 225 Ngultrum | + 97% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51 Pataca (548 Ngultrum) | 104 Ngultrum | + 429% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,392 Pataca (47,332 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.10 Pataca (12 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 341% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,187 Pataca (12,793 Ngultrum) | 2,361 Ngultrum | + 442% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 46 Pataca (501 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | + 51% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 127% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 48 prices entered by 5 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
10.777
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For example, you would need at least 274,708 Ngultrum (25,491 Pataca) in Macao to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 121,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu.
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