🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,754 in Macao versus $2,122 in Nampa, ID.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,830 in Macao versus $3,084 in Nampa, ID.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,906 in Macao versus $4,045 in Nampa, ID.
🙂Living in Macao costs roughly 17% less than in Nampa, ID, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Macao31% above, Nampa, ID58% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.36MOP 51.3
$14.80$14.80
-57.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.97MOP 395
$64.3$64.3
-23.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.37MOP 51.4
$8.95$8.95
-28.83%
Cappuccino
$4.66MOP 37.59
$4.62$4.62
0.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21MOP 9.76
$2.63$2.63
-53.99%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87MOP 7.06
$2.27$2.27
-61.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.63MOP 45.46
$5.65$5.65
-0.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.23MOP 58.3
$5.06$5.06
42.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.86MOP 23.04
$0.90$0.90
217.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.59MOP 12.83
$2.92$2.92
-45.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.47MOP 11.83
$3.98$3.98
-63.07%
Eggs
$3.18MOP 25.69
$3.98$3.98
-20.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.41MOP 141
$12.72$12.72
36.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.78MOP 62.8
$7.43$7.43
4.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.26MOP 188
$13.31$13.31
74.76%
Apples(1kg)
$3.82MOP 30.79
$4.87$4.87
-21.56%
Banana(1kg)
$3.12MOP 25.16
$1.33$1.33
134.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.73MOP 30.09
$3.61$3.61
3.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.83MOP 22.87
$4.91$4.91
-42.36%
Potato(1kg)
$4.31MOP 34.78
$2.47$2.47
74.49%
Onion(1kg)
$3.33MOP 26.88
$2.14$2.14
55.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.70MOP 13.70
$1.94$1.94
-12.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03MOP 8.34
$2.17$2.17
-52.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.25MOP 50.4
$7.85$7.85
-20.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.31MOP 99.4
$7.04$7.04
74.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37MOP 11.10
$1.85$1.85
-25.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11MOP 17.04
$2.54$2.54
-16.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77MOP 6.19
$2.04$2.04
-62.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.70MOP 183
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.58MOP 20.84
$2.22$2.22
16.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.18MOP 9.51
$1.52$1.52
-22.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.01MOP 121
$23.75$23.75
-36.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74MOP 14.02
$0.94$0.94
85.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.6KMOP 254.9K
$33.9K$33.9K
-6.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KMOP 220.5K
$25.3K$25.3K
8.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100MOP 809
$138$138
-27.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.40MOP 205
$49.68$49.68
-48.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.00MOP 266
$70.9$70.9
-53.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.8MOP 708
$35.15$35.15
149.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.33MOP 26.85
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.91MOP 112
$10.16$10.16
36.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$681MOP 5,495
$1,240$1,240
-45.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KMOP 108.4K
$23.3K$23.3K
-42.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.4MOP 520
$52.6$52.6
22.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.28MOP 228
$34.19$34.19
-17.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7MOP 724
$80.2$80.2
11.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102MOP 823
$62.4$62.4
63.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,068MOP 8,619
$1,117$1,117
-4.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$777MOP 6,272
$1,155$1,155
-32.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,002MOP 16.2K
$2,206$2,206
-9.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,638MOP 13.2K
$1,748$1,748
-6.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$12.7KMOP 102.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,956MOP 64.2K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Macao
Nampa, ID
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,048MOP 16.5K
$3,070$3,070
-33.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.28
6.58
-50.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Macao: April 19, 2026
Last update for Nampa, ID: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,068 in Macao and $1,117 in Nampa, ID. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Nampa, ID pays 50% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $49 in Macao vs $64 in Nampa, ID. Groceries flip the comparison at $365 vs $331, with Nampa, ID cheaper for home cooking.
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
Macao vs Nampa, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Macao or Nampa, ID?
Macao wins on cost – living expenses run 21% lower than in Nampa, ID. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Macao the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Macao or Nampa, ID?
On paper, Nampa, ID earns 50% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Macao vs Nampa, ID?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,068 in Macao versus $1,117 in Nampa, ID. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Macao or Nampa, ID?
Shoppers in Nampa, ID pay roughly 11% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Macao compared to Nampa, ID?
All in, you'll spend $1,754 per month in Macao versus $2,122 in Nampa, ID – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Macao or Nampa, ID?
At $1,754 in Macao versus $2,122 in Nampa, ID, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Macao but tight or insufficient in Nampa, ID. The gap between the two cities makes Macao the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Macao or Nampa, ID?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Macao compared to Nampa, ID?
Safety-wise, Macao and Nampa, ID are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Macao gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Nampa, ID. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.