Cost of living in Macao compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 63% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 63% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 105 Pataca (95元) | 42元 | + 126% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 45 Pataca (41元) | 37元 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 41 Pataca (37元) | 15元 | + 154% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 11 Pataca (10元) | 14元 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 30 Pataca (27元) | 16元 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 22 Pataca (20元) | 11元 | + 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 72 Pataca (65元) | 50元 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 22 Pataca (20元) | 16元 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13 Pataca (12元) | 7元 | + 77% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6.00 Pataca (5.43元) | 7元 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 100 Pataca (91元) | 94元 | - 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 14 Pataca (13元) | 9元 | + 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 30 Pataca (27元) | 13元 | + 117% | |
| Housing | + 45% | |||
| Housing in Macao is 45% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 22,000 Pataca (19,922元) | 13,997元 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,328 Pataca (9,352元) | 6,833元 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 700 Pataca (634元) | 450元 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,044 Pataca (9,095元) | 6,875元 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,552 Pataca (6,839元) | 3,656元 | + 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 680 Pataca (615元) | 296元 | + 108% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 204 Pataca (185元) | 100元 | + 86% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,500 Pataca (4,075元) | 1,460元 | + 179% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,500 Pataca (1,358元) | 553元 | + 146% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 61 Pataca (55元) | 43元 | + 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 37 Pataca (33元) | 55元 | - 40% | |
| Clothes | + 20% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 20% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 750 Pataca (679元) | 418元 | + 63% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 349 Pataca (316元) | 296元 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 569 Pataca (515元) | 570元 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 700 Pataca (634元) | 705元 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | + 42% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is 42% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 273,913 Pataca (248,039元) | 148,726元 | + 67% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12 Pataca (11元) | 8元 | + 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360 Pataca (326元) | 233元 | + 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 60 Pataca (54元) | 51元 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 57 Pataca (51元) | 84元 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 200 Pataca (181元) | 114元 | + 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 48 Pataca (43元) | 67元 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Pataca (28元) | 57元 | - 50% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 52 Pataca (47元) | 25元 | + 89% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10 Pataca (9元) | 7元 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12 Pataca (11元) | 13元 | - 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 212 Pataca (192元) | 85元 | + 127% | |
| Entertainment | + 158% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 158% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Macao | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 350 Pataca (317元) | 178元 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 400 Pataca (362元) | 109元 | + 233% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,400 Pataca (2,173元) | 703元 | + 209% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 550 Pataca (498元) | 320元 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 85 Pataca (77元) | 81元 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45 Pataca (41元) | 28元 | + 47% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 65 Pataca (59元) | 15元 | + 288% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,550 Pataca (4,120元) | 3,924元 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.25 Pataca (4.76元) | 0.34元 | + 1317% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Pataca (906元) | 414元 | + 119% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 43 Pataca (39元) | 26元 | + 45% | |
| TOTAL | + 60% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 778 prices entered by 113 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.906
CNY
/
MOP
Cost of living in Macao is 60% more expensive than in China
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