Cost of living in Macao is 75% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 71 prices entered by 7 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 32% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 90 Pataca (RM50) | RM21 | + 140% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 46 Pataca (RM25) | RM19 | + 37% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 30 Pataca (RM17) | RM11 | + 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 19 Pataca (RM11) | RM8 | + 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 28 Pataca (RM16) | RM12 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Pataca (RM16) | RM8 | + 104% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 55 Pataca (RM31) | RM28 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Pataca (RM12) | RM9 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 25 Pataca (RM14) | RM5.23 | + 168% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM11 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 132 Pataca (RM73) | RM147 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 16 Pataca (RM9) | RM4.89 | + 75% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM3.59 | + 108% | |
| Housing | + 159% | |||
| Housing in Macao is 159% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 16,372 Pataca (RM9,052) | RM2,760 | + 228% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,482 Pataca (RM6,901) | RM1,631 | + 323% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 845 Pataca (RM467) | RM257 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 11,749 Pataca (RM6,496) | RM1,723 | + 277% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,195 Pataca (RM4,531) | RM1,046 | + 333% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 664 Pataca (RM367) | RM164 | + 124% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 175 Pataca (RM97) | RM115 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,906 Pataca (RM3,265) | RM1,737 | + 88% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,290 Pataca (RM713) | RM584 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 80 Pataca (RM44) | RM30 | + 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 42 Pataca (RM23) | RM25 | - 7% | |
| Clothes | + 37% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 37% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 617 Pataca (RM341) | RM295 | + 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 328 Pataca (RM181) | RM114 | + 59% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 681 Pataca (RM377) | RM289 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,013 Pataca (RM560) | RM331 | + 69% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is 15% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 272,113 Pataca (RM150,452) | RM160,078 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 11 Pataca (RM6) | RM2.39 | + 158% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 223 Pataca (RM123) | RM117 | + 5% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 101 Pataca (RM56) | RM47 | + 18% | |
| Personal Care | + 136% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 136% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 61 Pataca (RM34) | RM14 | + 135% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 114 Pataca (RM63) | RM22 | + 186% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 291 Pataca (RM161) | RM78 | + 107% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 42 Pataca (RM23) | RM34 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 Pataca (RM19) | RM7 | + 163% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 62 Pataca (RM34) | RM12 | + 182% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM5.06 | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 24 Pataca (RM13) | RM7 | + 89% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 261 Pataca (RM144) | RM39 | + 268% | |
| Entertainment | + 170% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 170% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Macao | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 338 Pataca (RM187) | RM46 | + 302% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 262 Pataca (RM145) | RM26 | + 465% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,290 Pataca (RM713) | RM70 | + 919% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 620 Pataca (RM343) | RM114 | + 201% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 97 Pataca (RM54) | RM26 | + 104% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 41 Pataca (RM23) | RM12 | + 84% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51 Pataca (RM28) | RM16 | + 80% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,392 Pataca (RM2,428) | RM1,865 | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.10 Pataca (RM0.61) | RM0.27 | + 123% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,187 Pataca (RM656) | RM180 | + 264% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 46 Pataca (RM26) | RM17 | + 55% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 75% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 71 prices entered by 7 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.553
MYR
/
MOP
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For example, you would need at least RM13,845 (25,040 Pataca) in Macao to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,900 in Kota Kinabalu.
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