Cost of Living in Macao (China) - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Macao (China)
Address: MO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $862 (excluding rent), and $1,818 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,159 (excluding rent), and $4,036 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.18 MOP 49.67

$4.82 MOP 38.77

$9.88 MOP 79.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$55.1 MOP 443

$36.75 MOP 295

$184 MOP 1,477

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.97 MOP 47.97

$5.42 MOP 43.60

$6.27 MOP 50.4

Cappuccino

$4.69 MOP 37.74

$2.74 MOP 22.01

$10.94 MOP 88.0

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.93 MOP 7.52

$0.59 MOP 4.76

$2.37 MOP 19.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 MOP 5.96

$0.35 MOP 2.83

$1.42 MOP 11.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.65 MOP 45.40

$3.64 MOP 29.27

$7.04 MOP 56.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.04 MOP 56.6

$4.86 MOP 39.04

$9.47 MOP 76.1

Milk (1 liter)

$2.73 MOP 21.98

$1.54 MOP 12.36

$3.62 MOP 29.09

White Bread (500g)

$1.61 MOP 12.91

$1.28 MOP 10.26

$4.85 MOP 38.97

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 MOP 12.39

$1.02 MOP 8.18

$2.35 MOP 18.92

Eggs

$2.85 MOP 22.94

$1.69 MOP 13.58

$3.61 MOP 29.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.48 MOP 157

$5.64 MOP 45.33

$41.35 MOP 332

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.78 MOP 62.6

$3.71 MOP 29.87

$9.91 MOP 79.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.69 MOP 182

$9.25 MOP 74.4

$47.87 MOP 385

Apples (1kg)

$3.77 MOP 30.33

$1.85 MOP 14.89

$4.94 MOP 39.69

Banana (1kg)

$3.09 MOP 24.86

$2.01 MOP 16.14

$3.77 MOP 30.32

Oranges (1kg)

$3.75 MOP 30.19

$1.48 MOP 11.87

$7.37 MOP 59.3

Tomato (1kg)

$2.79 MOP 22.40

$1.28 MOP 10.25

$4.84 MOP 38.94

Potato (1kg)

$4.22 MOP 33.94

$1.45 MOP 11.63

$7.22 MOP 58.1

Onion (1kg)

$3.44 MOP 27.67

$1.87 MOP 15.05

$7.49 MOP 60.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.63 MOP 13.13

$0.49 MOP 3.93

$3.03 MOP 24.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MOP 8.43

$0.61 MOP 4.93

$1.89 MOP 15.18

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.03 MOP 48.48

$6.63 MOP 53.3

Wine (Bottle)

$12.03 MOP 96.7

$7.30 MOP 58.7

$14.57 MOP 117

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.43 MOP 11.48

$0.83 MOP 6.69

$1.91 MOP 15.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 MOP 16.41

$1.10 MOP 8.88

$2.20 MOP 17.68

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MOP 5.81

$0.36 MOP 2.90

$1.93 MOP 15.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.53 MOP 181

$11.26 MOP 90.6

$25.03 MOP 201

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 MOP 20.61

$2.33 MOP 18.71

$2.56 MOP 20.61

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.22 MOP 9.78

$1.01 MOP 8.15

$2.03 MOP 16.30

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.71 MOP 118

$12.25 MOP 98.5

$14.71 MOP 118

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.81 MOP 14.59

$1.76 MOP 14.18

$1.89 MOP 15.16

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.7K MOP 247.0K

$25.3K MOP 203.5K

$36.9K MOP 296.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K MOP 218.6K

$25.2K MOP 202.9K

$31.2K MOP 251.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$93.2 MOP 749

$61.5 MOP 494

$184 MOP 1,483

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.10 MOP 202

$20.74 MOP 167

$35.68 MOP 287

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.46 MOP 285

$25.25 MOP 203

$50.3 MOP 404

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.3 MOP 630

$62.6 MOP 504

$150 MOP 1,209

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.77 MOP 22.25

$1.23 MOP 9.89

$3.69 MOP 29.66

Cinema Ticket

$14.37 MOP 116

$12.60 MOP 101

$15.76 MOP 127

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$676 MOP 5,434

$369 MOP 2,964

$1,843 MOP 14.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.6K MOP 109.4K

$3,148 MOP 25.3K

$19.9K MOP 159.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.0 MOP 523

$25.03 MOP 201

$125 MOP 1,006

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.76 MOP 231

$18.55 MOP 149

$37.11 MOP 298

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 MOP 728

$62.5 MOP 502

$112 MOP 904

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 MOP 828

$62.8 MOP 505

$188 MOP 1,515

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,145 MOP 9,208

$853 MOP 6,857

$1,462 MOP 11.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$843 MOP 6,776

$493 MOP 3,966

$1,110 MOP 8,924

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,053 MOP 16.5K

$1,853 MOP 14.9K

$2,446 MOP 19.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,754 MOP 14.1K

$1,365 MOP 11.0K

$2,481 MOP 19.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.3K MOP 99.2K

$10.4K MOP 83.5K

$15.8K MOP 126.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$10.9K MOP 87.9K

$7,353 MOP 59.1K

$13.2K MOP 106.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,018 MOP 16.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.21

1.8

4.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

By City in Macao (China)

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Macao	622567	88	$876	$1,748	$2,147	$3,814	146.85	199.62
2	Taipa	78497	91	$688	$1,822	$2,147	$3,968	61.54	157.23

Macao (China) Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Macao (China) - Frequently Asked Questions

Macao presents a mixed affordability picture. Cost of Living in Macao (China) is driven by location, with pricier options near casino hubs and waterfront, and more affordable pockets in residential areas like Taipa or Coloane. You’ll find delicious local meals and everyday groceries that fit a modest budget, but lifestyle choices, nightlife, and peak-tourist seasons push costs higher in top areas. For value, target longer leases in quieter neighborhoods and use public transport to reduce costs. Tip: map out a few housing candidates and compare monthly utilities, internet, and proximity to coworking spaces before deciding.

Daily life in Macao revolves around neighborhood choice and budgeting. For housing, consider longer leases in Taipa, Coloane, or newer apartments on the Macao Peninsula, where proximity to services matters. Food options range from affordable local stalls to international dining near casino districts. Transport relies on a robust bus network, with taxis and ride-hailing readily available for evenings out. Co-working spaces are common and often flexible, ideal for digital nomads. Errands like groceries, banks, and services are concentrated in central districts but spread across the island. Macao (China) living cost varies by district, so plan a phased search and compare total monthly outlays. Tip: set a baseline budget for utilities and internet before you commit to a place.

Quality of life in Macao rewards a practical budgeting framework and neighborhood fit. Start with a simple monthly split: housing, food, transport, and leisure, then adjust as you settle. Save by cooking at home with fresh markets, choosing local eateries, and using buses or walking instead of taxis for short hops. Seasonality affects crowds and prices, so plan longer stays outside peak holidays and weekends if possible. Neighborhood cues help: Taipa and Coloane feel more residential and spacious, while Macao Peninsula offers proximity to culture and nightlife. Include a flexible coworking plan to balance focus and social breaks. Tip: test a day-by-day rhythm in different districts before committing to a long-term lease.