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: $305 in Myanmar versus $712 in China.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $523 in Myanmar versus $1,131 in China.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $741 in Myanmar versus $1,550 in China.
🌍Living in Myanmar costs about 57% less than in China on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: Myanmar 77% lower, China 47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Myanmar
China
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06MMK 4,308
$2.86¥19.35
-27.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.60MMK 41.0K
$23.44¥159
-16.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.02MMK 10.5K
$4.84¥32.75
3.72%
Cappuccino
$1.63MMK 3,417
$3.11¥21.06
-47.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75MMK 1,568
$0.44¥3.00
70.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69MMK 1,450
$0.29¥1.99
137.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.98MMK 2,048
$0.98¥6.64
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78MMK 3,734
$2.05¥13.88
-13.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Myanmar
China
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MMK 3,569
$1.84¥12.47
-7.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14MMK 2,379
$1.62¥10.94
-29.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41MMK 2,948
$0.93¥6.28
51.61%
Eggs
$1.61MMK 3,371
$1.63¥11.03
-1.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.08MMK 16.9K
$13.15¥89.0
-38.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51MMK 13.6K
$3.26¥22.09
99.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.88MMK 16.5K
$10.62¥71.9
-25.80%
Apples(1kg)
$4.26MMK 8,924
$1.80¥12.19
136.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.03MMK 2,157
$1.30¥8.77
-20.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.66MMK 5,569
$1.46¥9.90
82.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54MMK 5,323
$1.20¥8.15
111.67%
Potato(1kg)
$2.18MMK 4,556
$0.76¥5.14
186.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.14MMK 2,382
$0.88¥5.93
29.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02MMK 2,138
$0.57¥3.86
78.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28MMK 584
$0.54¥3.63
-48.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.66MMK 3,471
$3.42¥23.17
-51.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.35MMK 19.6K
$11.75¥79.5
-20.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92MMK 1,917
$0.80¥5.40
15.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50MMK 3,149
$1.62¥10.95
-7.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Myanmar
China
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23MMK 479
$0.43¥2.94
-46.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.61MMK 20.1K
$20.47¥139
-53.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17MMK 2,442
$1.36¥9.24
-13.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.98MMK 2,042
$0.35¥2.39
180.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.29MMK 6,888
$6.50¥43.97
-49.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$9.47MMK 19.8K
$1.12¥7.59
745.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3KMMK 74.0M
$19.5K¥131.8K
81.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6KMMK 74.6M
$16.9K¥114.1K
111.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Myanmar
China
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.7MMK 125.0K
$51.7¥350
15.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.95MMK 22.9K
$10.17¥68.8
7.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.35MMK 61.4K
$11.16¥75.5
162.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Myanmar
China
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.0MMK 110.9K
$39.62¥268
33.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.19MMK 21.3K
$14.53¥98.3
-29.87%
Cinema Ticket
$2.55MMK 5,333
$6.38¥43.19
-60.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Myanmar
China
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$351MMK 734.3K
$407¥2,756
-13.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMMK 22.3M
$17.8K¥120.7K
-40.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Myanmar
China
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.84MMK 87.6K
$45.53¥308
-8.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.3MMK 118.0K
$32.31¥219
74.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.9MMK 165.2K
$72.6¥491
8.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119MMK 249.0K
$74.4¥504
59.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Myanmar
China
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$484MMK 1.0M
$443¥2,996
9.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$211MMK 441.1K
$258¥1,747
-18.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,063MMK 2.2M
$910¥6,162
16.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$813MMK 1.7M
$543¥3,677
49.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,812MMK 3.8M
$4,934¥33.4K
-63.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$374MMK 782.0K
$2,398¥16.2K
-84.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Myanmar
China
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$259MMK 541.9K
$1,065¥7,205
-75.69%
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for China: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰National salary averages: $241 in Myanmar, $855 in China. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 105% higher in China.
⭐Dining out costs 200% more in China.
⭐Public transport is 1700% more expensive in China.
⭐Salaries are 255% higher in China, and purchasing power comes out stronger in China.
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 $862 per month in China and $411 in Myanmar, there's a 110% 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?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Myanmar: 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 is consistently higher than in 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 compared to Myanmar?
In Myanmar, $1,200 covers most cities easily; in China it stretches only to regional areas and 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 in 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.