😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,122 in Macao versus $1,454 in Pyeongtaek.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,017 in Macao versus $2,854 in Pyeongtaek.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,911 in Macao versus $4,253 in Pyeongtaek.
🌍Living in Macao is roughly 46% more expensive than in Pyeongtaek, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Macao55% above, Pyeongtaek6% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.07MOP 49.06
$7.28₩10.0K
-16.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.9MOP 451
$22.42₩30.9K
149.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.04MOP 48.83
$4.85₩6,678
24.54%
Cappuccino
$4.98MOP 40.22
$3.56₩4,907
39.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02MOP 8.24
$1.22₩1,681
-16.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91MOP 7.35
$0.92₩1,269
-1.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.81MOP 46.97
$3.61₩4,982
60.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.37MOP 59.6
$4.17₩5,742
76.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.26MOP 26.31
$2.26₩3,120
44.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77MOP 14.27
$3.08₩4,243
-42.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72MOP 13.89
$3.07₩4,235
-43.97%
Eggs
$3.52MOP 28.45
$2.59₩3,569
35.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.03MOP 130
$11.11₩15.3K
44.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$19.54MOP 158
$10.34₩14.3K
88.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$28.40MOP 229
$25.05₩34.5K
13.37%
Apples(1kg)
$2.70MOP 21.84
$11.05₩15.2K
-75.57%
Banana(1kg)
$2.83MOP 22.83
$3.70₩5,093
-23.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87MOP 15.07
$8.03₩11.1K
-76.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39MOP 19.31
$6.03₩8,315
-60.36%
Potato(1kg)
$3.84MOP 31.03
$5.92₩8,158
-35.14%
Onion(1kg)
$2.85MOP 23.06
$3.33₩4,590
-14.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63MOP 5.08
$2.85₩3,931
-77.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17MOP 9.42
$1.26₩1,741
-7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.50MOP 52.5
$3.38₩4,660
92.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.36MOP 99.9
$18.79₩25.9K
-34.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70MOP 13.70
$2.44₩3,365
-30.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24MOP 18.09
$3.37₩4,650
-33.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.75MOP 6.09
$1.25₩1,719
-40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.69MOP 183
$45.47₩62.7K
-50.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.58MOP 20.88
$3.59₩4,946
-28.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.24MOP 10.05
$0.56₩766
121.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.76MOP 119
$9.02₩12.4K
63.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.77MOP 14.33
$1.39₩1,920
27.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6KMOP 247.3K
$15.3K₩21.1M
99.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KMOP 256.9K
$15.1K₩20.8M
110.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121MOP 975
$196₩270.7K
-38.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.66MOP 191
$16.88₩23.3K
40.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.16MOP 300
$27.22₩37.5K
36.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$65.1MOP 526
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.80MOP 30.67
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.40MOP 116
$12.05₩16.6K
19.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,221MOP 9,862
$627₩863.6K
94.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.2KMOP 154.8K
$21.3K₩29.4M
-10.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.5MOP 553
$105₩144.8K
-34.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.39MOP 270
$64.2₩88.5K
-48.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.9MOP 743
$91.2₩125.7K
0.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135MOP 1,087
$129₩177.3K
4.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,109MOP 8,957
$518₩713.4K
114.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,084MOP 8,756
$300₩414.0K
260.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,054MOP 16.6K
$1,853₩2.6M
10.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,459MOP 11.8K
$1,866₩2.6M
-21.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,173MOP 66.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,659MOP 45.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Macao
Pyeongtaek
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,036MOP 16.4K
$1,881₩2.6M
8.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3
4.22
-28.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Macao: September 13, 2026
Last update for Pyeongtaek: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,109 in Macao and $518 in Pyeongtaek. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Macao pays 8% 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: $56.0 in Macao vs $22.00 in Pyeongtaek. Groceries flip the comparison at $424 vs $484, with Macao 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 Pyeongtaek: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Macao or Pyeongtaek?
Pyeongtaek wins on cost – living expenses run 46% lower than in Macao. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Pyeongtaek the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Macao or in Pyeongtaek?
Average pay runs 8% higher in Macao, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Macao compared to Pyeongtaek?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,109 in Macao versus $518 in Pyeongtaek. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Macao and in Pyeongtaek?
Dining out is cheaper in Pyeongtaek – a meal for two runs $22.00 versus $56.0 in Macao. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Macao compared to Pyeongtaek?
All in, you'll spend $2,122 per month in Macao versus $1,454 in Pyeongtaek – a 46% 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 in Pyeongtaek?
At $1,454 in Pyeongtaek versus $2,122 in Macao, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Pyeongtaek but tight or insufficient in Macao. The gap between the two cities makes Pyeongtaek the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Macao or Pyeongtaek?
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 Pyeongtaek?
Safety-wise, Macao and Pyeongtaek 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 Pyeongtaek gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Macao. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.