Cost of living in Macao is 30% more expensive than in Hsinchu City (Taiwan)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16 prices entered by 7 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 18% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Macao is 18% more expensive than in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 90 Pataca (368 NT$) | 208 NT$ | + 77% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 46 Pataca (188 NT$) | 136 NT$ | + 38% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 30 Pataca (123 NT$) | - | - | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 19 Pataca (79 NT$) | 108 NT$ | - 27% | |
12 eggs, large | 28 Pataca (115 NT$) | 66 NT$ | + 73% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Pataca (116 NT$) | - | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 55 Pataca (226 NT$) | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Pataca (92 NT$) | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 25 Pataca (103 NT$) | 83 NT$ | + 25% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 13 Pataca (51 NT$) | - | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 132 Pataca (537 NT$) | 516 NT$ | + 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 16 Pataca (63 NT$) | 53 NT$ | + 19% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Pataca (55 NT$) | - | - | |
Housing | + 90% | |||
Housing in Macao is 90% more expensive than in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 16,372 Pataca (66,716 NT$) | 29,605 NT$ | + 125% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,482 Pataca (50,864 NT$) | 20,026 NT$ | + 154% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 845 Pataca (3,444 NT$) | - | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 11,749 Pataca (47,880 NT$) | 15,905 NT$ | + 201% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,195 Pataca (33,396 NT$) | 8,612 NT$ | + 288% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 664 Pataca (2,704 NT$) | - | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 175 Pataca (714 NT$) | - | - | |
40” flat screen tv | 5,906 Pataca (24,068 NT$) | - | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,290 Pataca (5,258 NT$) | - | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 80 Pataca (325 NT$) | - | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 42 Pataca (172 NT$) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 20% | |||
Clothes in Macao is 20% more expensive than in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 617 Pataca (2,513 NT$) | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 328 Pataca (1,336 NT$) | 754 NT$ | + 77% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 681 Pataca (2,776 NT$) | - | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,013 Pataca (4,127 NT$) | - | - | |
Transportation | - 7% | |||
Transportation in Macao is 7% cheaper than in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 272,113 Pataca (1,108,888 NT$) | 823,715 NT$ | + 35% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 11 Pataca (46 NT$) | - | - | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 223 Pataca (910 NT$) | 1,192 NT$ | - 24% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 101 Pataca (410 NT$) | 611 NT$ | - 33% | |
Personal Care | ||||
Personal Care in Macao is about the same as in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 61 Pataca (247 NT$) | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 114 Pataca (463 NT$) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 291 Pataca (1,184 NT$) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 42 Pataca (173 NT$) | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 Pataca (138 NT$) | - | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 62 Pataca (252 NT$) | - | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 13 Pataca (54 NT$) | - | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | 24 Pataca (99 NT$) | - | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 261 Pataca (1,063 NT$) | - | - | |
Entertainment | ||||
Entertainment in Macao is about the same as in Hsinchu City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Macao | Hsinchu City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 338 Pataca (1,376 NT$) | - | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | 262 Pataca (1,068 NT$) | - | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,290 Pataca (5,258 NT$) | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 620 Pataca (2,526 NT$) | - | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 97 Pataca (395 NT$) | - | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 41 Pataca (168 NT$) | - | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51 Pataca (207 NT$) | - | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,392 Pataca (17,898 NT$) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.10 Pataca (4.50 NT$) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,187 Pataca (4,838 NT$) | - | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 46 Pataca (189 NT$) | - | - | |
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TOTAL | + 30% |

These prices were last updated on February 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.075
TWD
/
MOP
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For example, you would need at least 109,421 NT$ (26,851 Pataca) in Macao to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 84,000 NT$ in Hsinchu City.
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