Cost of living in Macao compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Macao is 13% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 105 Pataca (¥1,883) | ¥1,035 | + 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 45 Pataca (¥807) | ¥817 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 41 Pataca (¥735) | ¥618 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 11 Pataca (¥197) | ¥237 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 30 Pataca (¥538) | ¥335 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 22 Pataca (¥395) | ¥439 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 72 Pataca (¥1,291) | ¥1,195 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 22 Pataca (¥395) | ¥822 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13 Pataca (¥233) | ¥509 | - 54% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6.00 Pataca (¥108) | ¥312 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 100 Pataca (¥1,794) | ¥1,267 | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 14 Pataca (¥251) | ¥276 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 30 Pataca (¥538) | ¥293 | + 84% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in Macao is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 22,000 Pataca (¥394,590) | ¥365,082 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 10,328 Pataca (¥185,244) | ¥197,811 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 700 Pataca (¥12,555) | ¥19,132 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 10,044 Pataca (¥180,140) | ¥145,654 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,552 Pataca (¥135,456) | ¥106,059 | + 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 680 Pataca (¥12,189) | ¥8,349 | + 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 204 Pataca (¥3,666) | ¥4,448 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,500 Pataca (¥80,712) | ¥74,559 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,500 Pataca (¥26,904) | ¥25,414 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 61 Pataca (¥1,088) | ¥1,338 | - 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 37 Pataca (¥660) | ¥2,815 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | + 26% | |||
| Clothes in Macao is 26% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 750 Pataca (¥13,452) | ¥9,315 | + 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 349 Pataca (¥6,254) | ¥5,103 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 569 Pataca (¥10,198) | ¥9,892 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 700 Pataca (¥12,555) | ¥12,189 | + 3% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Macao is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 273,913 Pataca (¥4,912,884) | ¥3,060,780 | + 61% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12 Pataca (¥210) | ¥169 | + 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360 Pataca (¥6,457) | ¥8,198 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Macao is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 60 Pataca (¥1,076) | ¥2,133 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 57 Pataca (¥1,015) | ¥2,551 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 200 Pataca (¥3,587) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 48 Pataca (¥852) | ¥1,337 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Pataca (¥560) | ¥930 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 52 Pataca (¥937) | ¥622 | + 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10 Pataca (¥178) | ¥224 | - 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12 Pataca (¥215) | ¥188 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 212 Pataca (¥3,809) | ¥4,604 | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | + 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Macao is 66% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Macao | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 350 Pataca (¥6,278) | ¥4,908 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 400 Pataca (¥7,174) | ¥3,881 | + 85% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,400 Pataca (¥43,046) | ¥7,212 | + 497% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 550 Pataca (¥9,865) | ¥8,269 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 85 Pataca (¥1,525) | ¥1,244 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45 Pataca (¥807) | ¥547 | + 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 65 Pataca (¥1,166) | ¥674 | + 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,550 Pataca (¥81,608) | ¥51,659 | + 58% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.25 Pataca (¥94) | ¥52 | + 81% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Pataca (¥17,936) | ¥9,530 | + 88% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 46 Pataca (¥825) | ¥613 | + 35% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 404 prices entered by 93 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
17.936
JPY
/
MOP
Cost of living in Macao is 14% more expensive than in Japan
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