Cost of living in Laos compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is 13% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46,667 ₭ (32元) | 54元 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 52,500 ₭ (36元) | 36元 | + 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ (13元) | 15元 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ (10元) | 14元 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ (8元) | 14元 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ (7元) | 9元 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 100,000 ₭ (69元) | 56元 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 38,881 ₭ (27元) | 12元 | + 121% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ (9元) | 6元 | + 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,500 ₭ (7元) | 6元 | + 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113,333 ₭ (79元) | 108元 | - 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 16,167 ₭ (11元) | 9元 | + 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12,500 ₭ (9元) | 10元 | - 12% | |
| Housing | + 79% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 79% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ (25,557元) | 7,480元 | + 242% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ (8,298元) | 4,546元 | + 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 899,750 ₭ (624元) | 406元 | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ (4,352元) | 6,893元 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,954元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ (277元) | 261元 | + 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 246,757 ₭ (171元) | 84元 | + 104% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,510,140 ₭ (2,435元) | 2,223元 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ (555元) | 622元 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ (130元) | 47元 | + 179% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ (8元) | 44元 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | + 34% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 34% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ (451元) | 359元 | + 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ (347元) | 227元 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ (694元) | 569元 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ (347元) | 513元 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | + 10% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 10% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 190,900,000 ₭ (132,403元) | 160,747元 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,140 ₭ (6元) | 6元 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ (250元) | 177元 | + 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ (10元) | 29元 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 35元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ (325元) | 441元 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ (19元) | 31元 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,138 ₭ (16元) | 38元 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ (21元) | 33元 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ (7元) | 9元 | - 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16,829 ₭ (12元) | 11元 | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 30,333 ₭ (21元) | 84元 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 25% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ (42元) | 201元 | - 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ (91元) | 94元 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 978元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 480,645 ₭ (333元) | 413元 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ (43元) | 70元 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29,323 ₭ (20元) | 34元 | - 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10,790 ₭ (7元) | 31元 | - 76% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,170元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ (0.12元) | 0.55元 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ (520元) | 419元 | + 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 16,000 ₭ (11元) | 22元 | - 50% | |
| TOTAL | + 18% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,903 prices entered by 199 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00069
CNY
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 18% more expensive than in China
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