Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Macao
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 42 (92 Pataca) | 87 Pataca | + 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 (70 Pataca) | 10 Pataca | + 603% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (33 Pataca) | 39 Pataca | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (14 Pataca) | 25 Pataca | - 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (33 Pataca) | 21 Pataca | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.00 (11 Pataca) | 27 Pataca | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (44 Pataca) | 49 Pataca | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (17 Pataca) | 31 Pataca | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.66 (8 Pataca) | 26 Pataca | - 69% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (22 Pataca) | 7 Pataca | + 217% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 (141 Pataca) | 109 Pataca | + 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (19 Pataca) | 14 Pataca | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (10 Pataca) | 15 Pataca | - 36% | |
| Housing | + 61% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 61% more expensive than in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,818 (21,654 Pataca) | 14,605 Pataca | + 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,908 (15,236 Pataca) | 10,328 Pataca | + 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 (1,953 Pataca) | 700 Pataca | + 179% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,950 (13,123 Pataca) | 10,044 Pataca | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,006 (8,836 Pataca) | 7,552 Pataca | + 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 650 (1,434 Pataca) | 680 Pataca | + 111% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (729 Pataca) | 204 Pataca | + 256% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 931 (2,053 Pataca) | 4,500 Pataca | - 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 (783 Pataca) | 1,500 Pataca | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (94 Pataca) | 61 Pataca | + 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (81 Pataca) | 37 Pataca | + 120% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 194 (428 Pataca) | 750 Pataca | - 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 (409 Pataca) | 349 Pataca | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 340 (750 Pataca) | 569 Pataca | + 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 (750 Pataca) | 700 Pataca | + 7% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 33% cheaper than in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 95,977 (211,681 Pataca) | 273,913 Pataca | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.08 (7 Pataca) | 12 Pataca | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 (216 Pataca) | 360 Pataca | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | + 30% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 30% more expensive than in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 (30 Pataca) | 60 Pataca | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 (67 Pataca) | 57 Pataca | + 18% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 (600 Pataca) | 200 Pataca | + 200% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (61 Pataca) | 48 Pataca | + 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (38 Pataca) | 31 Pataca | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (50 Pataca) | 52 Pataca | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (28 Pataca) | 10 Pataca | + 182% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (26 Pataca) | 12 Pataca | + 119% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 (95 Pataca) | 212 Pataca | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 29% cheaper than in Macao | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Macao | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 (372 Pataca) | 350 Pataca | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (203 Pataca) | 400 Pataca | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 (705 Pataca) | 2,400 Pataca | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 292 (645 Pataca) | 550 Pataca | + 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (178 Pataca) | 85 Pataca | + 109% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (45 Pataca) | 45 Pataca | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (87 Pataca) | 65 Pataca | + 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,948 (4,297 Pataca) | 3,299 Pataca | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (1.56 Pataca) | 5.25 Pataca | - 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 (574 Pataca) | 1,000 Pataca | - 43% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (43 Pataca) | 52 Pataca | - 17% | |
| TOTAL | + 0% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
2.206
MOP
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,211 prices entered by 287 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Macao
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