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

Name: Macao (China)
Address: MO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $885 (excluding rent), and $1,792 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,181 (excluding rent), and $3,952 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.07 MOP 48.75

$4.74 MOP 38.06

$9.71 MOP 78.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$56.4 MOP 453

$37.60 MOP 302

$188 MOP 1,510

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.11 MOP 49.10

$5.56 MOP 44.62

$6.42 MOP 51.6

Cappuccino

$4.80 MOP 38.55

$2.80 MOP 22.49

$11.19 MOP 89.9

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

$0.96 MOP 7.69

$0.61 MOP 4.86

$2.42 MOP 19.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 MOP 6.56

$0.39 MOP 3.11

$1.56 MOP 12.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.85 MOP 46.94

$3.77 MOP 30.26

$7.28 MOP 58.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.32 MOP 58.8

$5.05 MOP 40.57

$9.85 MOP 79.1

Milk (1 liter)

$2.79 MOP 22.42

$1.57 MOP 12.61

$3.70 MOP 29.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.54 MOP 12.38

$1.23 MOP 9.84

$4.65 MOP 37.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.46 MOP 11.74

$0.97 MOP 7.75

$2.23 MOP 17.93

Eggs

$2.90 MOP 23.30

$1.72 MOP 13.79

$3.67 MOP 29.49

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.31 MOP 155

$5.59 MOP 44.87

$40.98 MOP 329

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.69 MOP 61.7

$3.67 MOP 29.48

$9.79 MOP 78.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.62 MOP 182

$9.22 MOP 74.1

$47.72 MOP 383

Apples (1kg)

$3.76 MOP 30.19

$1.85 MOP 14.82

$4.92 MOP 39.51

Banana (1kg)

$3.02 MOP 24.22

$1.96 MOP 15.73

$3.68 MOP 29.55

Oranges (1kg)

$3.89 MOP 31.21

$1.53 MOP 12.27

$7.63 MOP 61.3

Tomato (1kg)

$2.65 MOP 21.25

$1.21 MOP 9.72

$4.60 MOP 36.93

Potato (1kg)

$4.34 MOP 34.84

$1.49 MOP 11.93

$7.42 MOP 59.6

Onion (1kg)

$3.48 MOP 27.91

$1.89 MOP 15.18

$7.56 MOP 60.7

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.68 MOP 13.51

$0.50 MOP 4.04

$3.12 MOP 25.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 MOP 8.74

$0.64 MOP 5.11

$1.96 MOP 15.74

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.36 MOP 51.0

$6.99 MOP 56.1

Wine (Bottle)

$12.23 MOP 98.2

$7.38 MOP 59.3

$14.82 MOP 119

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 MOP 10.86

$0.79 MOP 6.33

$1.81 MOP 14.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 MOP 16.87

$1.14 MOP 9.13

$2.26 MOP 18.18

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.71 MOP 5.70

$0.36 MOP 2.85

$1.90 MOP 15.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.36 MOP 180

$11.18 MOP 89.8

$24.84 MOP 199

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.59 MOP 20.78

$2.35 MOP 18.86

$2.59 MOP 20.78

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.17 MOP 9.36

$0.97 MOP 7.80

$1.94 MOP 15.60

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.95 MOP 120

$12.45 MOP 100

$14.95 MOP 120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.75 MOP 14.09

$1.71 MOP 13.70

$1.82 MOP 14.64

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

$31.0K MOP 248.6K

$25.5K MOP 204.8K

$37.1K MOP 298.3K

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

$27.8K MOP 222.9K

$25.8K MOP 206.9K

$31.9K MOP 256.1K

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

$92.7 MOP 745

$61.2 MOP 492

$184 MOP 1,475

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

$25.00 MOP 201

$20.66 MOP 166

$35.55 MOP 285

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.19 MOP 275

$24.35 MOP 196

$48.46 MOP 389

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.3 MOP 629

$62.6 MOP 503

$150 MOP 1,207

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.86 MOP 22.96

$1.27 MOP 10.21

$3.81 MOP 30.62

Cinema Ticket

$14.17 MOP 114

$12.42 MOP 99.8

$15.53 MOP 125

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

$675 MOP 5,417

$368 MOP 2,955

$1,840 MOP 14.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K MOP 106.5K

$3,067 MOP 24.6K

$19.4K MOP 155.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.1 MOP 522

$25.04 MOP 201

$125 MOP 1,005

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.88 MOP 232

$18.63 MOP 150

$37.26 MOP 299

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.1 MOP 732

$62.8 MOP 505

$113 MOP 908

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 MOP 821

$62.4 MOP 501

$187 MOP 1,502

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,159 MOP 9,310

$863 MOP 6,933

$1,480 MOP 11.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$850 MOP 6,823

$497 MOP 3,994

$1,119 MOP 8,987

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,099 MOP 16.9K

$1,895 MOP 15.2K

$2,501 MOP 20.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,779 MOP 14.3K

$1,384 MOP 11.1K

$2,516 MOP 20.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.4K MOP 99.6K

$10.4K MOP 83.8K

$15.8K MOP 127.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.0K MOP 88.2K

$7,390 MOP 59.3K

$13.3K MOP 106.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,039 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.

Last update: January 13, 2026

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.