😐A single person spends $2,182 per month in Australia vs $1,797 in Macao (China), rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,216 per month in Australia vs $2,831 in Macao (China), rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,250 per month in Australia vs $3,864 in Macao (China), rent included.
😐Australia costs about 21% more than Macao (China) on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Australia and Macao (China) are pricier than the global median – Australia by 63%, Macao (China) by 34%.
📏Australia has a wider regional cost range ($1,579–$2,759) than Macao (China) ($1,764–$1,830), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Australia.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17A$22.94
$6.04MOP 48.74
167.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.6A$111
$54.9MOP 443
43.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.48A$13.45
$6.28MOP 50.6
50.96%
Cappuccino
$3.56A$5.05
$4.74MOP 38.28
-24.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60A$3.68
$0.97MOP 7.82
168.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21A$3.14
$0.75MOP 6.03
194.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.47A$9.18
$5.82MOP 46.99
11.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.19A$10.20
$7.28MOP 58.7
-1.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56A$2.21
$2.77MOP 22.37
-43.68%
White Bread(500g)
$2.53A$3.59
$1.58MOP 12.75
60.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.02A$2.87
$1.48MOP 11.91
36.49%
Eggs
$4.47A$6.34
$2.85MOP 23.02
56.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.86A$12.57
$18.99MOP 153
-53.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.38A$11.89
$7.68MOP 62.0
9.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.71A$19.44
$23.15MOP 187
-40.78%
Apples(1kg)
$3.23A$4.58
$3.71MOP 29.94
-12.94%
Banana(1kg)
$2.84A$4.03
$3.08MOP 24.83
-7.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.98A$4.23
$3.82MOP 30.79
-21.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.38A$6.21
$2.75MOP 22.20
59.27%
Potato(1kg)
$2.45A$3.47
$4.39MOP 35.44
-44.19%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11A$3.00
$3.52MOP 28.40
-40.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.16A$3.07
$1.65MOP 13.30
30.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58A$2.25
$1.08MOP 8.74
46.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$30.61A$43.42
$6.08MOP 49.08
403.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.23A$20.19
$12.18MOP 98.3
16.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.55A$6.45
$1.42MOP 11.49
220.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.91A$6.96
$2.09MOP 16.82
134.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.89A$4.10
$0.71MOP 5.71
307.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.5A$138
$22.48MOP 181
333.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54A$5.02
$2.53MOP 20.42
39.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.75A$2.48
$1.18MOP 9.51
48.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.10A$54.1
$14.64MOP 118
160.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16A$1.64
$1.78MOP 14.35
-34.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8KA$40.9K
$30.5KMOP 246.0K
-5.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KA$32.9K
$28.0KMOP 225.7K
-17.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179A$254
$93.4MOP 753
91.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.75A$37.94
$25.67MOP 207
4.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.7A$76.2
$34.24MOP 276
56.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.44A$68.7
$78.3MOP 632
-38.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.88A$23.95
$2.83MOP 22.83
496.47%
Cinema Ticket
$13.61A$19.31
$14.27MOP 115
-4.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,605A$2,276
$683MOP 5,506
135.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.7KA$18.1K
$13.5KMOP 108.8K
-5.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.4A$101
$64.7MOP 522
10.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.0A$71.0
$28.78MOP 232
73.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.8A$142
$89.6MOP 723
11.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109A$155
$102MOP 825
6.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,385A$1,965
$1,144MOP 9,226
21.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,076A$1,527
$857MOP 6,910
25.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,284A$3,240
$2,059MOP 16.6K
10.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,757A$2,492
$1,760MOP 14.2K
-0.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,462A$10.6K
$11.1KMOP 89.6K
-32.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,617A$7,968
$8,298MOP 67.0K
-32.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
Macao (China)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,070A$5,773
$1,980MOP 16.0K
105.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.35
3.21
97.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: June 1, 2026
Last update for Macao (China): June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,233 in Australia vs $1,143 in Macao (China). For reference, capital cities sit at $1,548 in Canberra and $1,064 in Macao.
💰Average salary: $3,906 in Australia vs $1,983 in Macao (China). The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 8% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 54% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 509% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 97% higher in Australia, giving Australia stronger purchasing power.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Australia vs Macao (China): Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Macao (China)?
Macao (China) is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 21% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Australia consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Macao (China), contributing to the overall 21% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Australia or Macao (China)?
$2,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Macao (China), but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or Macao (China)?
Macao (China) is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.