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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $858 (excluding rent), and $1,811 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,169 (excluding rent), and $4,063 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.13 MOP 49.49
$4.79 MOP 38.63
$9.81 MOP 79.2
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.7 MOP 458
$37.81 MOP 305
$189 MOP 1,526
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.10 MOP 49.19
$5.54 MOP 44.70
$6.40 MOP 51.7
Cappuccino
$4.70 MOP 37.93
$2.74 MOP 22.12
$10.96 MOP 88.4
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02 MOP 8.23
$0.65 MOP 5.21
$2.58 MOP 20.83
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 MOP 6.53
$0.38 MOP 3.10
$1.55 MOP 12.48
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.62 MOP 45.37
$3.62 MOP 29.25
$7.01 MOP 56.5
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.35 MOP 59.3
$5.07 MOP 40.92
$9.88 MOP 79.8
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.80 MOP 22.60
$1.58 MOP 12.71
$3.71 MOP 29.91
White Bread (500g)
$1.52 MOP 12.23
$1.21 MOP 9.72
$4.58 MOP 36.94
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.46 MOP 11.75
$0.96 MOP 7.76
$2.22 MOP 17.94
Eggs
$2.87 MOP 23.17
$1.70 MOP 13.71
$3.63 MOP 29.32
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.91 MOP 153
$5.47 MOP 44.17
$40.14 MOP 324
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.93 MOP 64.0
$3.79 MOP 30.57
$10.10 MOP 81.5
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.62 MOP 183
$9.22 MOP 74.4
$47.72 MOP 385
Apples (1kg)
$3.84 MOP 30.99
$1.88 MOP 15.21
$5.03 MOP 40.56
Banana (1kg)
$3.01 MOP 24.27
$1.95 MOP 15.75
$3.67 MOP 29.60
Oranges (1kg)
$3.76 MOP 30.33
$1.48 MOP 11.92
$7.38 MOP 59.5
Tomato (1kg)
$2.72 MOP 21.97
$1.25 MOP 10.05
$4.73 MOP 38.19
Potato (1kg)
$4.37 MOP 35.29
$1.50 MOP 12.09
$7.48 MOP 60.4
Onion (1kg)
$3.43 MOP 27.69
$1.87 MOP 15.06
$7.47 MOP 60.3
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 MOP 13.78
$0.51 MOP 4.12
$3.17 MOP 25.57
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 MOP 8.47
$0.61 MOP 4.95
$1.89 MOP 15.26
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36 MOP 51.3
$6.36 MOP 51.3
$7.00 MOP 56.5
Wine (Bottle)
$12.49 MOP 101
$7.53 MOP 60.8
$15.13 MOP 122
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 MOP 11.04
$0.80 MOP 6.43
$1.83 MOP 14.77
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 MOP 16.56
$1.11 MOP 8.96
$2.21 MOP 17.84
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.76 MOP 6.13
$0.38 MOP 3.06
$2.03 MOP 16.40
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.26 MOP 180
$11.13 MOP 89.8
$24.74 MOP 200
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.57 MOP 20.78
$2.34 MOP 18.86
$2.57 MOP 20.78
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 MOP 9.48
$0.98 MOP 7.90
$1.96 MOP 15.79
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.95 MOP 121
$12.45 MOP 101
$14.95 MOP 121
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.74 MOP 14.08
$1.70 MOP 13.68
$1.81 MOP 14.63
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K MOP 246.1K
$25.1K MOP 202.8K
$36.6K MOP 295.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0K MOP 225.7K
$26.0K MOP 209.5K
$32.1K MOP 259.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.3 MOP 745
$60.9 MOP 492
$183 MOP 1,475
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.49 MOP 206
$21.06 MOP 170
$36.24 MOP 292
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.15 MOP 276
$24.31 MOP 196
$48.39 MOP 391
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.1 MOP 614
$60.9 MOP 492
$146 MOP 1,180
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.87 MOP 23.13
$1.27 MOP 10.28
$3.82 MOP 30.84
Cinema Ticket
$14.05 MOP 113
$12.32 MOP 99.4
$15.40 MOP 124
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$675 MOP 5,447
$368 MOP 2,971
$1,841 MOP 14.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.4K MOP 107.9K
$3,092 MOP 25.0K
$19.5K MOP 157.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.6 MOP 529
$25.23 MOP 204
$126 MOP 1,018
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.35 MOP 237
$18.93 MOP 153
$37.86 MOP 306
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.9 MOP 726
$62.0 MOP 501
$112 MOP 901
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 MOP 815
$61.6 MOP 497
$185 MOP 1,492
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,176 MOP 9,487
$875 MOP 7,065
$1,501 MOP 12.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$846 MOP 6,827
$495 MOP 3,996
$1,114 MOP 8,991
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,043 MOP 16.5K
$1,844 MOP 14.9K
$2,434 MOP 19.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,755 MOP 14.2K
$1,365 MOP 11.0K
$2,482 MOP 20.0K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$12.6K MOP 102.0K
$10.6K MOP 85.8K
$16.2K MOP 130.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.1K MOP 89.2K
$7,435 MOP 60.0K
$13.3K MOP 107.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,032 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: April 12, 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
622567
88 $881 $1,744 $2,114 $3,790
237.07
187.3
2
78497
91 $724 $1,818 $1,915 $3,933
171.55
148.24
Macao (China) Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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
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.

Macao (China) vs other spots: cost of living compared

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