Cost of living in Laos compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 39% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Laos is 39% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46,667 ₭ (23元) | 43元 | - 46% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 52,500 ₭ (26元) | 37元 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ (9元) | 17元 | - 44% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ (7元) | 14元 | - 48% | |
12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ (5.54元) | 16元 | - 66% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ (4.80元) | 9元 | - 45% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 100,000 ₭ (50元) | 48元 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 38,881 ₭ (20元) | 13元 | + 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ (6元) | 6元 | + 3% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,500 ₭ (4.78元) | 7元 | - 29% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113,333 ₭ (57元) | 97元 | - 41% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 16,167 ₭ (8元) | 9元 | - 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12,500 ₭ (6元) | 13元 | - 52% | |
Housing | - 6% | |||
Housing in Laos is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ (18,551元) | 13,898元 | + 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ (6,023元) | 8,379元 | - 28% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 899,750 ₭ (453元) | 462元 | - 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ (3,159元) | 6,525元 | - 52% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,376元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ (201元) | 516元 | - 61% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 246,757 ₭ (124元) | 140元 | - 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,510,140 ₭ (1,767元) | 1,829元 | - 3% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ (403元) | 546元 | - 26% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ (94元) | 50元 | + 89% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ (5.98元) | 66元 | - 91% | |
Clothes | - 28% | |||
Clothes in Laos is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ (327元) | 511元 | - 36% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ (252元) | 288元 | - 13% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ (503元) | 654元 | - 23% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ (252元) | 844元 | - 70% | |
Transportation | - 24% | |||
Transportation in Laos is 24% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 190,900,000 ₭ (96,107元) | 148,501元 | - 35% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,140 ₭ (4.60元) | 8元 | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ (181元) | 206元 | - 12% | |
Personal Care | - 51% | |||
Personal Care in Laos is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ (8元) | 28元 | - 73% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 27元 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ (236元) | 386元 | - 39% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ (14元) | 30元 | - 54% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,138 ₭ (12元) | 19元 | - 40% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ (15元) | 44元 | - 65% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ (5.01元) | 21元 | - 76% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 16,829 ₭ (8元) | 16元 | - 47% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 30,333 ₭ (15元) | 82元 | - 81% | |
Entertainment | - 39% | |||
Entertainment in Laos is 39% cheaper than in China | ||||
Laos | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ (30元) | 260元 | - 88% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ (66元) | 122元 | - 46% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 417元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 480,645 ₭ (242元) | 319元 | - 24% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ (31元) | 90元 | - 65% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29,323 ₭ (15元) | 31元 | - 52% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10,790 ₭ (5.43元) | 19元 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 2,968元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ (0.08元) | 0.24元 | - 66% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ (378元) | 410元 | - 8% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 16,000 ₭ (8元) | 38元 | - 79% | |
TOTAL | - 23% |

These prices were last updated on May 04, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00050
CNY
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 23% cheaper than in China
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