Cost of living in Laos compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is about the same as in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46,667 ₭ (37元) | 45元 | - 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 52,500 ₭ (41元) | 34元 | + 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ (15元) | 15元 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ (12元) | 15元 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ (9元) | 13元 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ (8元) | 8元 | - 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 100,000 ₭ (79元) | 59元 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 38,881 ₭ (31元) | 15元 | + 105% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ (10元) | 6.00元 | + 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,500 ₭ (7元) | 5.17元 | + 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113,333 ₭ (89元) | 112元 | - 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 16,167 ₭ (13元) | 8元 | + 59% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12,500 ₭ (10元) | 14元 | - 29% | |
| Housing | + 92% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 92% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ (29,087元) | 9,398元 | + 210% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ (9,443元) | 4,943元 | + 91% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 899,750 ₭ (710元) | 431元 | + 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ (4,953元) | 5,740元 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,518,880 ₭ (3,567元) | 2,997元 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 300,000 ₭ (237元) | 285元 | - 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 246,757 ₭ (195元) | 93元 | + 108% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,510,140 ₭ (2,771元) | 2,464元 | + 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ (631元) | 561元 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ (148元) | 38元 | + 288% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ (9元) | 47元 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | + 31% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ (513元) | 481元 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ (395元) | 250元 | + 58% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ (789元) | 647元 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ (395元) | 620元 | - 36% | |
| Transportation | + 37% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 37% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 190,900,000 ₭ (150,690元) | 134,340元 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,140 ₭ (7元) | 7元 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ (284元) | 149元 | + 91% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 35% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ (12元) | 37元 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 45元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ (369元) | 347元 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ (22元) | 62元 | - 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,138 ₭ (18元) | 47元 | - 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ (24元) | 31元 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ (8元) | 8元 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16,829 ₭ (13元) | 12元 | + 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 30,333 ₭ (24元) | 71元 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 11% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ (47元) | 177元 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ (104元) | 100元 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,029元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 480,645 ₭ (379元) | 395元 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ (49元) | 68元 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29,323 ₭ (23元) | 33元 | - 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10,790 ₭ (9元) | 31元 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,256元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ (0.13元) | 0.31元 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ (592元) | 335元 | + 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 16,000 ₭ (13元) | 22元 | - 42% | |
| 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 3,031 prices entered by 354 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00079
CNY
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 30% more expensive than in China
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