Cost of living in Laos compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is 20% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 94,647 ₭ (32元) | 42元 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 75,353 ₭ (25元) | 39元 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ (6元) | 14元 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ (4.94元) | 14元 | - 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ (3.68元) | 16元 | - 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ (3.19元) | 10元 | - 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 140,000 ₭ (47元) | 50元 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 130,000 ₭ (44元) | 16元 | + 168% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ (4.16元) | 6元 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 16,282 ₭ (5.45元) | 6元 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 159,294 ₭ (53元) | 89元 | - 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | 8元 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 40,000 ₭ (13元) | 13元 | + 7% | |
| Housing | - 28% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ (12,341元) | 12,713元 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ (4,007元) | 5,917元 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 ₭ (100元) | 450元 | - 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ (2,102元) | 6,564元 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,518元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ (134元) | 296元 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 180,000 ₭ (60元) | 100元 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,000,000 ₭ (1,675元) | 1,460元 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ (268元) | 553元 | - 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ (63元) | 43元 | + 46% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ (3.98元) | 55元 | - 93% | |
| Clothes | - 48% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 48% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ (218元) | 418元 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ (167元) | 296元 | - 43% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ (335元) | 553元 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ (167元) | 705元 | - 76% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 20% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 700,000,000 ₭ (234,434元) | 148,726元 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12,000 ₭ (4.02元) | 8元 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ (121元) | 228元 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | - 59% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 59% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ (5.02元) | 42元 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50,000 ₭ (17元) | 59元 | - 72% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ (157元) | 114元 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ (9元) | 67元 | - 86% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 62,500 ₭ (21元) | 57元 | - 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ (10元) | 25元 | - 60% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ (3.33元) | 6元 | - 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 30,000 ₭ (10元) | 13元 | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 75,000 ₭ (25元) | 85元 | - 70% | |
| Entertainment | - 51% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Laos | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ (20元) | 178元 | - 89% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ (44元) | 105元 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 500,000 ₭ (167元) | 320元 | - 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ (21元) | 81元 | - 74% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45,000 ₭ (15元) | 28元 | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25,000 ₭ (8元) | 19元 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 8,811,000 ₭ (2,951元) | 3,924元 | - 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ (0.06元) | 0.34元 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ (251元) | 412元 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30,000 ₭ (10元) | 25元 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 30% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 802 prices entered by 118 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00033
CNY
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 30% cheaper than in China
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