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

62.12
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $884 (excluding rent), and $1,797 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,171 (excluding rent), and $3,934 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.24 MOP 50.4
$4.87 MOP 39.37
$9.98 MOP 80.7
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.2 MOP 454
$37.46 MOP 303
$187 MOP 1,514
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.02 MOP 48.69
$5.47 MOP 44.25
$6.33 MOP 51.2
Cappuccino
$4.81 MOP 38.9
$2.81 MOP 22.69
$11.22 MOP 90.7
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 MOP 8.29
$0.65 MOP 5.24
$2.59 MOP 20.97
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 MOP 6.22
$0.37 MOP 2.95
$1.47 MOP 11.89
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.93 MOP 47.96
$3.82 MOP 30.92
$7.39 MOP 59.8
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.36 MOP 59.5
$5.08 MOP 41.06
$9.9 MOP 80.1
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.8 MOP 22.64
$1.58 MOP 12.74
$3.71 MOP 29.97
White Bread (500g)
$1.58 MOP 12.8
$1.26 MOP 10.17
$4.78 MOP 38.64
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.46 MOP 11.83
$0.97 MOP 7.81
$2.23 MOP 18.06
Eggs
$2.86 MOP 23.13
$1.69 MOP 13.69
$3.62 MOP 29.26
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.07 MOP 154
$5.52 MOP 44.62
$40.47 MOP 327
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.63 MOP 61.7
$3.64 MOP 29.46
$9.72 MOP 78.6
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.51 MOP 182
$9.18 MOP 74.2
$47.49 MOP 384
Apples (1kg)
$3.7 MOP 29.89
$1.81 MOP 14.67
$4.84 MOP 39.11
Banana (1kg)
$3.08 MOP 24.9
$2 MOP 16.17
$3.76 MOP 30.37
Oranges (1kg)
$3.71 MOP 30.03
$1.46 MOP 11.81
$7.29 MOP 59
Tomato (1kg)
$2.72 MOP 22.01
$1.25 MOP 10.07
$4.73 MOP 38.25
Potato (1kg)
$4.42 MOP 35.73
$1.51 MOP 12.24
$7.56 MOP 61.1
Onion (1kg)
$3.32 MOP 26.86
$1.81 MOP 14.61
$7.23 MOP 58.4
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.7 MOP 13.71
$0.51 MOP 4.1
$3.15 MOP 25.45
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 MOP 8.49
$0.61 MOP 4.96
$1.89 MOP 15.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.16 MOP 49.79
$6.16 MOP 49.79
$6.77 MOP 54.8
Wine (Bottle)
$12.53 MOP 101
$9.4 MOP 76
$18.79 MOP 152
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43 MOP 11.55
$0.83 MOP 6.73
$1.91 MOP 15.46
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.1 MOP 16.97
$1.14 MOP 9.18
$2.26 MOP 18.28
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.71 MOP 5.7
$0.35 MOP 2.85
$1.89 MOP 15.25
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.54 MOP 182
$11.27 MOP 91.1
$25.05 MOP 202
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.53 MOP 20.49
$2.3 MOP 18.6
$2.53 MOP 20.49
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.23 MOP 9.97
$1.03 MOP 8.31
$2.06 MOP 16.62
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.85 MOP 120
$12.38 MOP 100
$14.85 MOP 120
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.77 MOP 14.33
$1.72 MOP 13.93
$1.84 MOP 14.89
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K MOP 247.1K
$25.2K MOP 203.6K
$36.7K MOP 296.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K MOP 221K
$25.4K MOP 205.1K
$31.4K MOP 253.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.3 MOP 763
$62.3 MOP 503
$187 MOP 1,510
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.68 MOP 208
$21.22 MOP 172
$36.52 MOP 295
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.14 MOP 284
$25.02 MOP 202
$49.79 MOP 403
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79 MOP 639
$63.2 MOP 511
$152 MOP 1,227
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.85 MOP 23.04
$1.27 MOP 10.24
$3.8 MOP 30.71
Cinema Ticket
$14.21 MOP 115
$12.46 MOP 101
$15.58 MOP 126
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$679 MOP 5,493
$371 MOP 2,996
$1,853 MOP 15K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.5K MOP 109.1K
$3,121 MOP 25.2K
$19.7K MOP 159.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.3 MOP 512
$24.36 MOP 197
$122 MOP 985
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.54 MOP 231
$18.42 MOP 149
$36.83 MOP 298
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.1 MOP 737
$62.9 MOP 508
$113 MOP 915
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 MOP 829
$62.5 MOP 506
$188 MOP 1,517
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,158 MOP 9,362
$862 MOP 6,972
$1,478 MOP 12K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$842 MOP 6,806
$493 MOP 3,984
$1,109 MOP 8,965
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,083 MOP 16.8K
$1,880 MOP 15.2K
$2,482 MOP 20.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,730 MOP 14K
$1,346 MOP 10.9K
$2,447 MOP 19.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$12.3K MOP 99.2K
$10.5K MOP 84.6K
$14.8K MOP 119.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.1K MOP 81.9K
$7,418 MOP 60K
$13.3K MOP 107.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,033 MOP 16.4K
-
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.
Cost of Living in Macao (China) - Frequently Asked Questions
How would you rate the overall affordability of Macao for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
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.
What does daily life look like in Macao: housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
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.
How can you maximize quality of life in Macao while staying within a practical budget and finding the right neighborhood fit?
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.
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