Last update: Oct 2026 682.1K

Cost of Living in Macao (China)

Name: Macao (China)
Address: MO

Across Macao (China), living costs for one person average $2,016 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $31 a day.

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🇲🇴 Macao (China)

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Macao (China)

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Macao (China) actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $2,016 including rent across Macao (China).

$2,016 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $3,061 including rent across Macao (China).

$3,061 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,107 including rent across Macao (China).

$4,107 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.06 MOP 49.00

$4.73 MOP 38.23

$9.09 MOP 73.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.8 MOP 443

$36.52 MOP 295

$183 MOP 1,475

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.07 MOP 49.06

$5.69 MOP 46.00

$6.33 MOP 51.1

Cappuccino

$5.00 MOP 40.39

$2.67 MOP 21.59

$10.70 MOP 86.4

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

$1.03 MOP 8.36

$0.76 MOP 6.12

$1.91 MOP 15.39

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.86 MOP 6.94

$0.51 MOP 4.15

$1.55 MOP 12.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.87 MOP 47.45

$3.79 MOP 30.61

$7.33 MOP 59.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.26 MOP 58.7

$4.93 MOP 39.79

$9.60 MOP 77.6

Milk (1 liter)

$3.10 MOP 25.04

$1.52 MOP 12.24

$4.12 MOP 33.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.74 MOP 14.04

$1.55 MOP 12.49

$4.75 MOP 38.37

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.71 MOP 13.84

$1.00 MOP 8.11

$2.50 MOP 20.23

Eggs

$3.44 MOP 27.76

$1.94 MOP 15.66

$5.22 MOP 42.20

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.04 MOP 130

$8.82 MOP 71.3

$28.18 MOP 228

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$19.42 MOP 157

$8.55 MOP 69.1

$30.99 MOP 250

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$29.27 MOP 236

$11.62 MOP 93.9

$48.62 MOP 393

Apples (1kg)

$2.66 MOP 21.51

$1.31 MOP 10.59

$4.74 MOP 38.30

Banana (1kg)

$2.95 MOP 23.85

$2.02 MOP 16.34

$3.79 MOP 30.61

Oranges (1kg)

$1.89 MOP 15.26

Tomato (1kg)

$2.46 MOP 19.87

$2.35 MOP 18.96

$2.53 MOP 20.45

Potato (1kg)

$3.85 MOP 31.14

$1.50 MOP 12.09

$7.26 MOP 58.6

Onion (1kg)

$2.91 MOP 23.50

$1.92 MOP 15.53

$3.73 MOP 30.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 MOP 5.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 MOP 9.23

$0.61 MOP 4.89

$4.59 MOP 37.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.59 MOP 53.2

$7.08 MOP 57.2

Wine (Bottle)

$12.48 MOP 101

$7.46 MOP 60.3

$24.97 MOP 202

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 MOP 13.91

$1.26 MOP 10.15

$1.85 MOP 14.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 MOP 18.34

$1.88 MOP 15.16

$2.31 MOP 18.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.75 MOP 6.08

$0.77 MOP 6.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.29 MOP 180

$21.97 MOP 178

$43.95 MOP 355

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.63 MOP 21.24

$2.38 MOP 19.20

$2.63 MOP 21.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.24 MOP 10.01

$0.97 MOP 7.87

$1.46 MOP 11.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.83 MOP 120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.83 MOP 14.76

$1.75 MOP 14.11

$1.88 MOP 15.17

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

$30.6K MOP 247.6K

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

$31.9K MOP 257.4K

$31.4K MOP 253.6K

$32.3K MOP 261.2K

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

$124 MOP 1,002

$75.6 MOP 611

$189 MOP 1,527

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

$23.90 MOP 193

$11.29 MOP 91.2

$33.49 MOP 271

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.46 MOP 303

$25.06 MOP 202

$49.87 MOP 403

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.4 MOP 650

$60.7 MOP 490

$121 MOP 980

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.70 MOP 29.89

Cinema Ticket

$14.24 MOP 115

$12.49 MOP 101

$15.62 MOP 126

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

$1,234 MOP 9,973

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$19.0K MOP 153.9K

$15.1K MOP 122.1K

$24.8K MOP 200.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.2 MOP 551

$42.46 MOP 343

$84.9 MOP 686

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.91 MOP 274

$25.12 MOP 203

$37.68 MOP 304

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.6 MOP 756

$62.4 MOP 504

$124 MOP 1,006

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$136 MOP 1,098

$86.5 MOP 699

$185 MOP 1,497

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,115 MOP 9,011

$878 MOP 7,095

$1,355 MOP 10.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$935 MOP 7,558

$738 MOP 5,967

$1,575 MOP 12.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,126 MOP 17.2K

$1,634 MOP 13.2K

$2,488 MOP 20.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,641 MOP 13.3K

$1,363 MOP 11.0K

$2,230 MOP 18.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,902 MOP 80.0K

$9,695 MOP 78.3K

$16.0K MOP 129.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,923 MOP 55.9K

$6,749 MOP 54.5K

$13.4K MOP 107.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,974 MOP 15.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Macao (China) $2,016

Accommodation & Living

$935 46.4%

Groceries & Markets

$425 21.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$185 9.2%

Eating Out

$178 8.8%

Clothing & Footwear

$149 7.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$109 5.4%

Getting Around

$34 1.7%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $1,076 in Macao (China). For reference, capital rent is $1,095 in Macao, and $1,056 in Taipa.

National average salary: $2,042. With average costs at $2,016, most workers manage but need to budget carefully.

Expect to spend about $422 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $55 for two.

In Macao (capital), expect about $2,158 per month, while Taipa offers the lowest costs at $2,004 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($2,016) is 48% above the global median of $1,361.

Average rent ($1,076) is 63% above the global median of $661.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($55) is 15% above the global median of $48.

Public transport ($23) is 30% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

05:21 5:21 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

682,100

💱 Currency

Macanese Pataca MOP P

📈 Exchange rate

1 MOP = 0.124 USD

1 MOP = 0.111 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	104	$970	$2,158	$2,373	$3,948	237.07	187.3
2	Taipa	78497	98	$912	$2,004	$2,251	$4,310	171.55	148.24

Macao (China) Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.

Monthly costs in Macao (China) range from $2,004 to $2,158 depending on the city, so you’ll need a solid income to live comfortably here.

Outside the capital, costs in Macao (China) drop noticeably. Taipa is one of the best budget options.

$2,500 a month goes far in Macao (China), especially outside the big cities. It’s a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Even regional cities in Macao (China) are pricier than the global average, with Macao at the top. If you’re coming from a lower-cost country, budget carefully – the sticker shock on housing, food, and services is real.