Cost of living in Macao is 81% 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 18 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 53% 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 (RM49) | RM17 | + 187% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 46 Pataca (RM25) | RM16 | + 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 30 Pataca (RM16) | RM11 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 18 Pataca (RM10) | RM8 | + 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 28 Pataca (RM15) | RM8 | + 87% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Pataca (RM16) | RM8 | + 90% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 55 Pataca (RM30) | RM26 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Pataca (RM12) | RM8 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 25 Pataca (RM14) | RM6 | + 119% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM11 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 132 Pataca (RM72) | RM109 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 16 Pataca (RM8) | RM4.55 | + 87% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM3.18 | + 132% | |
| Housing | + 173% | |||
| Housing in Macao is 173% 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 (RM8,953) | RM2,505 | + 257% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,482 Pataca (RM6,825) | RM1,780 | + 283% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 845 Pataca (RM462) | RM197 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 11,749 Pataca (RM6,425) | RM1,411 | + 355% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,195 Pataca (RM4,481) | RM902 | + 397% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 664 Pataca (RM363) | RM196 | + 85% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 175 Pataca (RM96) | RM125 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,906 Pataca (RM3,230) | RM1,828 | + 77% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,290 Pataca (RM706) | RM623 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 80 Pataca (RM44) | RM29 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 42 Pataca (RM23) | RM16 | + 48% | |
| Clothes | + 30% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 30% 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 (RM337) | RM291 | + 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 328 Pataca (RM179) | RM139 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 681 Pataca (RM372) | RM294 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,013 Pataca (RM554) | RM319 | + 74% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is 12% 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 (RM148,801) | RM157,853 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 11 Pataca (RM6) | RM2.52 | + 143% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 223 Pataca (RM122) | RM117 | + 4% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 100 Pataca (RM55) | RM44 | + 26% | |
| Personal Care | + 135% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 135% 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 (RM33) | RM12 | + 179% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 114 Pataca (RM62) | RM20 | + 215% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 291 Pataca (RM159) | RM79 | + 101% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 42 Pataca (RM23) | RM34 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 Pataca (RM19) | RM7 | + 160% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 62 Pataca (RM34) | RM12 | + 179% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13 Pataca (RM7) | RM5.06 | + 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 24 Pataca (RM13) | RM7 | + 87% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 261 Pataca (RM143) | RM39 | + 264% | |
| Entertainment | + 169% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 169% 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 (RM185) | RM61 | + 202% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 262 Pataca (RM143) | RM26 | + 444% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,290 Pataca (RM706) | RM70 | + 908% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 620 Pataca (RM339) | RM114 | + 198% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 97 Pataca (RM53) | RM26 | + 101% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 41 Pataca (RM22) | RM12 | + 82% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51 Pataca (RM28) | RM16 | + 78% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,321 Pataca (RM2,363) | RM1,762 | + 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.10 Pataca (RM0.60) | RM0.27 | + 120% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,187 Pataca (RM649) | RM180 | + 260% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 50 Pataca (RM28) | RM17 | + 67% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 81% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 18 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.547
MYR
/
MOP
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For example, you would need at least RM14,870 (27,192 Pataca) in Macao to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,200 in Kota Kinabalu.
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