Cost of Living Comparison Between Myanmar and ChinaCost of Living Comparison Between Myanmar and China
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $307 in Myanmar versus $712 in China.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $532 in Myanmar versus $1,132 in China.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $757 in Myanmar versus $1,551 in China.
🙂Living in Myanmar costs about 57% less than in China on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: Myanmar77% lower, China47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Myanmar
China
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.02MMK 4,230
$2.81¥18.98
-28.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.12MMK 40.0K
$23.30¥158
-17.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.98MMK 10.4K
$5.01¥33.87
-0.60%
Cappuccino
$1.72MMK 3,601
$3.01¥20.38
-42.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79MMK 1,661
$0.45¥3.03
75.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69MMK 1,438
$0.29¥1.97
137.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.99MMK 2,062
$0.95¥6.41
4.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78MMK 3,732
$2.05¥13.87
-13.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Myanmar
China
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MMK 3,565
$1.76¥11.87
-3.41%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13MMK 2,366
$1.62¥10.98
-30.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.45MMK 3,030
$0.95¥6.45
52.63%
Eggs
$1.61MMK 3,379
$1.56¥10.55
3.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91MMK 16.6K
$13.06¥88.3
-39.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.29MMK 13.2K
$3.28¥22.17
91.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.88MMK 16.5K
$10.65¥72.0
-26.01%
Apples(1kg)
$4.39MMK 9,194
$1.78¥12.03
146.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.04MMK 2,168
$1.24¥8.42
-16.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.64MMK 5,528
$1.50¥10.12
76.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.53MMK 5,304
$1.15¥7.79
120.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.14MMK 4,478
$0.75¥5.07
185.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09MMK 2,278
$0.86¥5.81
26.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00MMK 2,096
$0.62¥4.17
61.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30MMK 636
$0.56¥3.81
-46.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.66MMK 3,473
$3.51¥23.76
-52.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.86MMK 20.6K
$11.66¥78.9
-15.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91MMK 1,899
$0.80¥5.40
13.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50MMK 3,146
$1.66¥11.25
-9.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Myanmar
China
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23MMK 481
$0.43¥2.93
-46.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.61MMK 20.1K
$20.86¥141
-53.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.22MMK 2,558
$1.37¥9.26
-10.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.98MMK 2,054
$0.35¥2.38
180.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.18MMK 6,649
$6.63¥44.82
-52.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$9.30MMK 19.5K
$1.14¥7.69
715.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7KMMK 72.7M
$19.2K¥129.7K
80.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.9KMMK 77.2M
$16.8K¥113.4K
119.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Myanmar
China
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.5MMK 124.6K
$51.2¥346
16.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.70MMK 22.4K
$10.16¥68.7
5.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.90MMK 60.5K
$11.51¥77.9
151.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Myanmar
China
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.2MMK 111.3K
$40.53¥274
31.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.78MMK 20.5K
$15.05¥102
-35.02%
Cinema Ticket
$2.58MMK 5,399
$6.10¥41.26
-57.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Myanmar
China
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$342MMK 715.5K
$402¥2,719
-15.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.0KMMK 23.0M
$17.7K¥119.5K
-37.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Myanmar
China
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.33MMK 88.6K
$45.57¥308
-7.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.2MMK 119.8K
$33.26¥225
71.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.8MMK 160.8K
$72.6¥491
5.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120MMK 251.6K
$74.5¥503
61.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Myanmar
China
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$489MMK 1.0M
$429¥2,903
13.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$207MMK 433.5K
$257¥1,739
-19.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,047MMK 2.2M
$895¥6,055
16.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$788MMK 1.6M
$541¥3,660
45.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,821MMK 3.8M
$5,015¥33.9K
-63.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$370MMK 773.7K
$2,469¥16.7K
-85.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Myanmar
China
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$262MMK 548.4K
$1,055¥7,132
-75.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
4.06
170.94%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Myanmar: June 1, 2026
Last update for China: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰National salary averages: $241 in Myanmar, $861 in China. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 109% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 200% more in China.
⭐Public transport is 1700% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 257% higher in China, giving China 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
Myanmar vs China: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or Myanmar?
At $865 per month in China and $414 in Myanmar, there's a 109% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: China or Myanmar?
Myanmar is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
How do rents compare between China and Myanmar?
Rent in China beats Myanmar across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
How far does $1,200 go in China vs Myanmar?
In Myanmar, $1,200 covers most cities easily. In China, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
How do I choose between living in China and Myanmar?
It depends on what you're after. Myanmar wins on affordability; China may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.