Cost of living in Macao compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 87 Pataca ($11) | $20 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 10 Pataca ($1.24) | $12 | - 89% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 39 Pataca ($4.79) | $5.54 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 25 Pataca ($3.10) | $1.06 | + 193% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 21 Pataca ($2.66) | $4.72 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 27 Pataca ($3.37) | $4.43 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 49 Pataca ($6) | $7 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 31 Pataca ($3.85) | $3.90 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 26 Pataca ($3.25) | $2.05 | + 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7 Pataca ($0.87) | $3.81 | - 77% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 109 Pataca ($14) | $18 | - 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 14 Pataca ($1.79) | $2.91 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 Pataca ($1.92) | $2.61 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Macao is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 14,605 Pataca ($1,813) | $2,829 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,328 Pataca ($1,282) | $2,103 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 700 Pataca ($87) | $222 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,044 Pataca ($1,247) | $2,059 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,552 Pataca ($938) | $1,494 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 680 Pataca ($84) | $161 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 204 Pataca ($25) | $59 | - 57% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,500 Pataca ($559) | $257 | + 117% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,500 Pataca ($186) | $149 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 61 Pataca ($8) | $14 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 37 Pataca ($4.57) | $33 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 750 Pataca ($93) | $56 | + 65% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 349 Pataca ($43) | $52 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 569 Pataca ($71) | $106 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 700 Pataca ($87) | $136 | - 36% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 273,913 Pataca ($34,007) | $30,251 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12 Pataca ($1.45) | $0.94 | + 55% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360 Pataca ($45) | $79 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 55% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 60 Pataca ($7) | $9 | - 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 57 Pataca ($7) | $21 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 200 Pataca ($25) | $168 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 48 Pataca ($5.90) | $9 | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Pataca ($3.88) | $5.36 | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 52 Pataca ($6) | $7 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10 Pataca ($1.24) | $5.05 | - 76% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12 Pataca ($1.49) | $2.33 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 212 Pataca ($26) | $30 | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | + 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 8% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Macao | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 350 Pataca ($43) | $61 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 400 Pataca ($50) | $29 | + 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,400 Pataca ($298) | $207 | + 44% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 550 Pataca ($68) | $101 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 85 Pataca ($11) | $15 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45 Pataca ($5.59) | $5.91 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 65 Pataca ($8) | $7 | + 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,550 Pataca ($565) | $468 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.25 Pataca ($0.65) | $0.53 | + 23% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Pataca ($124) | $65 | + 91% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 43 Pataca ($5.28) | $10 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.12415
USD
/
MOP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,121 prices entered by 2,086 different people.
Cost of living in Macao is 29% cheaper than in United States
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