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

Name: Macao (China)
Address: MO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $858 (excluding rent), and $1,830 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,179 (excluding rent), and $3,933 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.3 MOP 50.6

$4.92 MOP 39.47

$10.09 MOP 80.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$56.8 MOP 456

$37.88 MOP 304

$189 MOP 1,519

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.11 MOP 48.99

$5.55 MOP 44.52

$6.42 MOP 51.5

Cappuccino

$4.57 MOP 36.63

$2.66 MOP 21.37

$10.65 MOP 85.4

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

$0.97 MOP 7.75

$0.61 MOP 4.9

$2.44 MOP 19.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 MOP 6.57

$0.39 MOP 3.12

$1.56 MOP 12.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.89 MOP 47.24

$3.8 MOP 30.46

$7.34 MOP 58.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.23 MOP 58

$4.99 MOP 40.03

$9.73 MOP 78

Milk (1 liter)

$2.73 MOP 21.92

$1.54 MOP 12.33

$3.62 MOP 29.01

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 MOP 12.62

$1.25 MOP 10.03

$4.75 MOP 38.1

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.52 MOP 12.17

$1 MOP 8.03

$2.32 MOP 18.58

Eggs

$2.9 MOP 23.25

$1.72 MOP 13.76

$3.67 MOP 29.41

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.06 MOP 153

$5.52 MOP 44.24

$40.44 MOP 324

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.56 MOP 60.7

$3.61 MOP 28.97

$9.63 MOP 77.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.55 MOP 181

$9.19 MOP 73.7

$47.57 MOP 382

Apples (1kg)

$3.77 MOP 30.25

$1.85 MOP 14.85

$4.94 MOP 39.59

Banana (1kg)

$3.11 MOP 24.93

$2.02 MOP 16.18

$3.79 MOP 30.41

Oranges (1kg)

$3.77 MOP 30.27

$1.48 MOP 11.9

$7.41 MOP 59.4

Tomato (1kg)

$2.73 MOP 21.87

$1.25 MOP 10.01

$4.74 MOP 38.01

Potato (1kg)

$4.31 MOP 34.58

$1.48 MOP 11.84

$7.37 MOP 59.1

Onion (1kg)

$3.33 MOP 26.73

$1.81 MOP 14.54

$7.25 MOP 58.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.65 MOP 13.24

$0.49 MOP 3.97

$3.07 MOP 24.59

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 MOP 8.29

$0.6 MOP 4.85

$1.86 MOP 14.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.17 MOP 49.51

$6.79 MOP 54.5

Wine (Bottle)

$12.41 MOP 99.6

$7.51 MOP 60.2

$15.04 MOP 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 MOP 11.01

$0.8 MOP 6.41

$1.84 MOP 14.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 MOP 16.42

$1.11 MOP 8.88

$2.21 MOP 17.69

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 MOP 6.17

$0.38 MOP 3.08

$2.06 MOP 16.5

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.76 MOP 183

$11.38 MOP 91.3

$25.29 MOP 203

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 MOP 20.57

$2.33 MOP 18.67

$2.56 MOP 20.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.18 MOP 9.5

$0.99 MOP 7.92

$1.97 MOP 15.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15 MOP 120

$12.5 MOP 100

$15 MOP 120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.82 MOP 14.59

$1.77 MOP 14.18

$1.89 MOP 15.16

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

$30.6K MOP 245.7K

$25.2K MOP 202.4K

$36.8K MOP 294.8K

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

$27.6K MOP 221.8K

$25.7K MOP 205.8K

$31.8K MOP 254.7K

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

$94 MOP 754

$62.1 MOP 498

$186 MOP 1,493

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

$24.99 MOP 200

$20.64 MOP 166

$35.52 MOP 285

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.21 MOP 282

$25.07 MOP 201

$49.9 MOP 400

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.8 MOP 624

$62.3 MOP 499

$149 MOP 1,198

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.78 MOP 22.27

$1.23 MOP 9.9

$3.7 MOP 29.69

Cinema Ticket

$14.17 MOP 114

$12.42 MOP 99.7

$15.53 MOP 125

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

$693 MOP 5,557

$378 MOP 3,031

$1,890 MOP 15.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K MOP 106.5K

$3,072 MOP 24.6K

$19.4K MOP 155.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.2 MOP 523

$25.1 MOP 201

$126 MOP 1,007

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.2 MOP 234

$18.84 MOP 151

$37.68 MOP 302

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.7 MOP 728

$62.6 MOP 502

$113 MOP 903

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 MOP 831

$63.2 MOP 507

$189 MOP 1,520

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,160 MOP 9,305

$864 MOP 6,929

$1,481 MOP 11.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$856 MOP 6,863

$501 MOP 4,018

$1,127 MOP 9,040

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,072 MOP 16.6K

$1,871 MOP 15K

$2,470 MOP 19.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,744 MOP 14K

$1,356 MOP 10.9K

$2,466 MOP 19.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.4K MOP 99.7K

$10.5K MOP 83.9K

$15.9K MOP 127.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11K MOP 87.9K

$7,372 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: November 30, 2025

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.