Cost Of Living in Myanmar 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Myanmar
Whether you're living in Myanmar or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure550,000 MMK
per month$26042,000 MMK $20
$2,600 5.5M MMK
Single380,000 MMK
per month$180130,000 MMK $61
$1,200 2.5M MMK
Couple640,000 MMK
per month$300210,000 MMK $100
$1,600 3.4M MMK
Family850,000 MMK
per month$400300,000 MMK $140
$2,200 4.7M MMK
Student250,000 MMK
per month$12098,000 MMK $47
$210 440,000 MMK
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Myanmar is 380,000 MMK. Expenses can range from 130,000 MMK at the minimum level to 2.5M MMK at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Myanmar is 640,000 MMK. Expenditure can range from 210,000 MMK to 3.4M MMK per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Myanmar is 850,000 MMK per month. Families spend anywhere from 300,000 MMK to 4.7M MMK.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Myanmar is 250,000 MMK. Students spend from 98,000 MMK to 440,000 MMK per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Myanmar
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal | 550 MMK | 1,100 MMK | 1,800 MMK |
Restaurant meal for one | 1,800 MMK | 2,700 MMK | 5,500 MMK |
Fine dining meal for one | 3,600 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 22,000 MMK |
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte | 460 MMK | 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken | 620 MMK | 800 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb | 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK | 2,200 MMK |
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride | 460 MMK | 550 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
Average car full tank | 2,700 MMK | 3,600 MMK | 7,300 MMK |
Average car 1-day rental | 2,700 MMK | 3,600 MMK | 5,500 MMK |
Average car price | 1.4M MMK | 2.7M MMK | 3.6M MMK |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service | 3,600 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 11,000 MMK |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual | 7,600 MMK | 23,000 MMK | 150,000 MMK |
Utility Bill - Couple | 11,000 MMK | 32,000 MMK | 170,000 MMK |
Utility Bill - Family | 8,900 MMK | 25,000 MMK | 140,000 MMK |
Internet and cable | 2,700 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 7,300 MMK |
Mobile phone charges | 2,200 MMK | 3,600 MMK | 11,000 MMK |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket | 1,400 MMK | 1,800 MMK | 2,700 MMK |
One month gym membership | 4,400 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 11,000 MMK |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants | 3,200 MMK | 4,600 MMK | 6,800 MMK |
Woman dress | 3,000 MMK | 4,200 MMK | 14,000 MMK |
Woman shoes | 2,900 MMK | 3,900 MMK | 9,100 MMK |
Men's shoes | 2,500 MMK | 3,000 MMK | 6,100 MMK |
Men suit | 2,700 MMK | 3,400 MMK | 18,000 MMK |
Regular t-shirt | 1,400 MMK | 1,800 MMK | 5,500 MMK |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 46,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK | 180,000 MMK |
1-bedroom apartment | 68,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK |
2-bedroom apartment | 91,000 MMK | 140,000 MMK | 360,000 MMK |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 55,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK | 91,000 MMK |
Double Bed | 36,000 MMK | 55,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK |
Single Bed | 32,000 MMK | 42,000 MMK | 55,000 MMK |
Living Room | 61,000 MMK | 78,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK |
Dining Table | 27,000 MMK | 36,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK |
Sofa or Couch | 36,000 MMK | 50,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 36,000 MMK | 55,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK |
Fridge or Freezer | 32,000 MMK | 50,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK |
Washing Machine | 42,000 MMK | 61,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK |
Stove or Cooker | 39,000 MMK | 50,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK |
Mobile Phone | 46,000 MMK | 55,000 MMK | 78,000 MMK |
Laptop or Computer | 50,000 MMK | 61,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Myanmar
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
87%
81% to 96%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 4% |
| 50% - 60% | 9% |
| 60% - 70% | 15% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 21% |
| 90% - 100% | 11% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Myanmar is 87%
This means that on average, people spend around 87% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 15% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
78%
Spending-Income-Ratio
73%
86%
Couple
83%
Spending-Income-Ratio
77%
91%
Family
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
85%
100%
How do people spend their money in Myanmar?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure23%
23% of total expenses on average (12% to 31%)
| LOW | $6.1 13,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $79 170,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $790 1.7M MMK |
| Per Month |
People living in Myanmar typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 170,000 MMK with expenditure ranging from 13,000 MMK to 1.7M MMK. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $1 2,100 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $13 28,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $130 280,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Myanmar ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 28,000 MMK with 2,100 MMK and 280,000 MMK being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $2 4,200 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $26 55,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $260 550,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 4,200 MMK to 550,000 MMK on commuting with 55,000 MMK being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $5.1 11,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $66 140,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $660 1.4M MMK |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Myanmar is 140,000 MMK. The cost of groceries can range between 11,000 MMK to 1.4M MMK. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $1.4 3,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $18 39,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $180 390,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
People in Myanmar allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 3,000 MMK to 390,000 MMK with 39,000 MMK being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $0.81 1,700 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $11 22,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $110 220,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,700 MMK to 220,000 MMK with 22,000 MMK being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.2 2,500 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $16 33,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $160 330,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 33,000 MMK per month with 2,500 MMK being the minimum spent amount and 330,000 MMK being the maximum.
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $2.6 5,500 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $34 72,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $340 720,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Myanmar every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Myanmar manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 56% of the surveyed people in Myanmar said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 44% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Myanmar
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 56% | 44% |
| Couples | 51% | 49% |
| Families | 46% | 54% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
12,000 MMK
$5.8 | 160,000 MMK
$76 | 1.6M MMK
$760 |
For most people, 8% to 28% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 15% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 160,000 MMK on average with savings ranging from 12,000 MMK to 1.6M MMK.
56% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 51% of couples said the same. 46% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Myanmar?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
37,000 MMK
$17 | 110,000 MMK
$52 | 730,000 MMK
$350 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 32% |
| 10% - 20% | 25% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 40% - 50% | 10% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to savings, with 19% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 110,000 MMK with 37,000 MMK and 730,000 MMK being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
61,000 MMK
$29 | 180,000 MMK
$87 | 980,000 MMK
$470 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 36% |
| 10% - 20% | 27% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 8% |
| 40% - 50% | 7% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9% to 29% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 180,000 MMK with 61,000 MMK and 980,000 MMK being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
86,000 MMK
$41 | 240,000 MMK
$120 | 1.3M MMK
$640 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 39% |
| 10% - 20% | 30% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 5% |
| 40% - 50% | 4% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Myanmar can save anywhere between 8% to 27% of their monthly income, with 14% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 240,000 MMK with 86,000 MMK and 1.3M MMK being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Myanmar
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Myanmar?
Around 47% of surveyed residents think that living in Myanmar is affordable with proper budgeting while 53% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Myanmar
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options55%
Few low-cost options45%
Based on the survey, 55% of the people living in Myanmar have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Myanmar whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes47%
No53%
Based on the survey, 53% of the people living in Myanmar said that they don't have an emergency fund while 47% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Myanmar
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy42%
We asked residents of Myanmar whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 58% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 42% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Myanmar have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 49% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 51% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance49%
Easily manages finances51%
Financial goals of people in Myanmar
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Myanmar, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 44% |
| Retirement Savings | 10% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 6% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 6% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 14% |
| Financial Independence | 4% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 44% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Myanmar
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Myanmar. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 13% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 12% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 21% |
| Inflation | 13% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Myanmar
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 13% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 21% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Myanmar
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Myanmar and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Myanmar is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Myanmar:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 1.4M MMK |
| 30 | 2.8M MMK |
| 35 | 5M MMK |
| 40 | 7.1M MMK |
| 45 | 11M MMK |
| 50 | 15M MMK |
| 55 | 18M MMK |
| 60 | 22M MMK |
| 65 | 26M MMK |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Myanmar about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 15% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Myanmar 94,000 MMK
$45 | 280,000 MMK
$130 | 1.9M MMK
$900 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Myanmar
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 28% of the people in Myanmar have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 72% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Myanmar
Debt to income ratio
32%
25% to 41%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of the people's monthly income in Myanmar goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 19% |
| 40% - 50% | 15% |
| 30% - 40% | 17% |
| 20% - 30% | 10% |
| 10% - 20% | 11% |
| 0% - 10% | 25% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Myanmar pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Myanmar
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 8% |
| Auto Loan | 14% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 30% |
| Personal Loan | 44% |
8% of debtors in Myanmar confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Myanmar.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Myanmar
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Myanmar how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 50% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Myanmar
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Myanmar
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 46,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK | 180,000 MMK |
1-bedroom apartment | 68,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK |
2-bedroom apartment | 91,000 MMK | 140,000 MMK | 360,000 MMK |
3-bedroom apartment | 110,000 MMK | 180,000 MMK | 500,000 MMK |
Furnished apartment | 220,000 MMK | 550,000 MMK | 1.1M MMK |
Townhouse | 180,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK | 780,000 MMK |
House | 220,000 MMK | 550,000 MMK | 1.1M MMK |
Villa | 270,000 MMK | 680,000 MMK | 1.1M MMK |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Myanmar ranges between 46,000 MMK and 180,000 MMK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 68,000 MMK to 270,000 MMK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 91,000 MMK and 360,000 MMK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 110,000 MMK to 500,000 MMK. The average rent of a townhouse in Myanmar is around 270,000 MMK while house rental costs can be as high as 550,000 MMK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 270,000 MMK to 1.1M MMK per month.
Apartment and house prices in Myanmar
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
3-bedroom apartment
Townhouse | 78M MMK | 180M MMK | 680M MMK |
House | 91M MMK | 550M MMK | 780M MMK |
| $43,000 | $260,000 | $370,000 |
Villa | 110M MMK | 610M MMK | 910M MMK |
| $52,000 | $290,000 | $430,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Myanmar can range from 9.1M MMK to 27M MMK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 11M MMK to 68M MMK. A villa can cost you 610M MMK on average with prices ranging from 110M MMK to 910M MMK.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Myanmar will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 29 | x82 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Myanmar can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Myanmar.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Myanmar is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 850 MMK | 11,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Myanmar
Housing29%
29% of total expenses on average (17% to 41%)
| LOW | $22 46,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $65 140,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $440 920,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water9%
9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)
| LOW | $3.6 7,600 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $11 23,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $73 150,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.8 10,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $15 31,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $97 200,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $9.7 20,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $29 61,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $190 410,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
| LOW | $5.5 11,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $16 34,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $110 230,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)
| LOW | $3 6,400 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $9.1 19,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $61 130,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $1.2 2,500 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $3.6 7,600 MMK |
| HIGH | $24 51,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses22%
22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $11 23,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $33 69,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $220 460,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Myanmar
Housing26%
26% of total expenses on average (19% to 36%)
| LOW | $33 70,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $100 210,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $530 1.1M MMK |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $5.1 11,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $15 32,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $81 170,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel9%
9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)
| LOW | $12 25,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $36 76,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $190 410,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)
| LOW | $14 30,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $42 89,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $230 480,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Healthcare14%
14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)
| LOW | $11 23,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $33 70,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $180 370,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $6.1 13,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $18 38,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $97 200,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $2 4,200 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $6.1 13,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $32 68,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)
| LOW | $17 36,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $52 110,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $270 580,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Myanmar
Housing25%
25% of total expenses on average (20% to 35%)
| LOW | $45 95,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $130 270,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $710 1.5M MMK |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $11 24,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $32 68,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $180 370,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
| LOW | $25 53,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $73 150,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $400 840,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
| LOW | $11 24,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $32 68,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $180 370,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $7.1 15,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $20 42,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $110 230,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Education13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
| LOW | $20 42,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $57 120,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $310 650,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses16%
16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $17 36,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $48 100,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $270 560,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Myanmar
Housing17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $11 24,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $28 59,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $51 110,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.9 3,900 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $4.7 9,800 MMK |
| HIGH | $8.4 18,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.3 6,900 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $8.2 17,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $15 31,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $9.4 20,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $23 49,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $42 89,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $2.8 5,900 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $7 15,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $13 27,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.3 4,900 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $5.9 12,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $11 22,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Education18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $8.9 19,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $22 47,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $40 84,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $7 15,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $18 37,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $32 66,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
