Cost Of Living For a Student in Macao 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MOP
Average monthly spending for students in Macao
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Macao?
Students in Macao spend around 3,700 MOP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 560 MOP or as high as 25,000 MOP. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Macao
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 19,000 MOP | 37,000 MOP | 50,000 MOP |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 620 MOP | 940 MOP | 2,500 MOP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 940 MOP | 1,500 MOP | 3,700 MOP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1,200 MOP | 1,900 MOP | 5,000 MOP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 120,000 MOP | 190,000 MOP | 370,000 MOP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 150,000 MOP | 250,000 MOP | 940,000 MOP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 250,000 MOP | 750,000 MOP | 1.5M MOP |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 750 MOP | 940 MOP | 1,200 MOP |
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 830 MOP | 1,100 MOP | 3,700 MOP |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
| 500 MOP | 680 MOP | 1,500 MOP |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 500 MOP | 750 MOP | 1,500 MOP |
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
| 580 MOP | 830 MOP | 1,500 MOP |
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
| 620 MOP | 750 MOP | 1,100 MOP |
Laptop or Computer
| 680 MOP | 830 MOP | 1,500 MOP |
How do students spend their money in Macao?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $17 130 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $110 890 MOP |
| HIGH | $740 5,900 MOP |
| Per Month |
Students in Macao typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 890 MOP with expenditure ranging from 130 MOP to 5,900 MOP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $2.8 22 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $18 150 MOP |
| HIGH | $120 990 MOP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Macao ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 150 MOP with 22 MOP and 990 MOP being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.9 39 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $32 260 MOP |
| HIGH | $210 1,700 MOP |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 39 MOP to 1,700 MOP in a month on commuting with 260 MOP being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $14 110 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $92 740 MOP |
| HIGH | $610 4,900 MOP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Macao is 740 MOP. The cost of groceries can range between 110 MOP to 4,900 MOP. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $4.2 34 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $28 220 MOP |
| HIGH | $180 1,500 MOP |
| Per Month |
Students in Macao allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 34 MOP to 1,500 MOP with 220 MOP being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $3.5 28 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $23 190 MOP |
| HIGH | $150 1,200 MOP |
| 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 28 MOP to 1,200 MOP with 190 MOP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $13 110 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $87 700 MOP |
| HIGH | $580 4,700 MOP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 700 MOP per month with 110 MOP being the minimum spent amount and 4,700 MOP being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $10 84 MOP |
| AVERAGE | $69 560 MOP |
| HIGH | $460 3,700 MOP |
| Per Month |
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 Macao
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Macao?
Around 56% of surveyed students think that living in Macao is affordable with proper budgeting while 44% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Macao
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 students 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 students living in Macao 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 For Students
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 students of Macao whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes52%
No48%
Based on the survey, 48% of the students living in Macao said that they don't have an emergency fund while 52% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Macao
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 Leteracy51%
We asked student guardians and parents in Macao whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% 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 51% 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 students of Macao have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 50% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 50% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance50%
Easily manages finances50%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Macao
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Macao
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 620 MOP | 940 MOP | 2,500 MOP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 940 MOP | 1,500 MOP | 3,700 MOP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,200 MOP | 1,900 MOP | 5,000 MOP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,500 MOP | 2,500 MOP | 6,800 MOP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,000 MOP | 7,500 MOP | 15,000 MOP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 2,500 MOP | 3,700 MOP | 11,000 MOP |
House monthly rent cost
| 3,000 MOP | 7,500 MOP | 15,000 MOP |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 3,700 MOP | 9,400 MOP | 15,000 MOP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Macao ranges between 620 MOP and 2,500 MOP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 940 MOP to 3,700 MOP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,200 MOP and 5,000 MOP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,500 MOP to 6,800 MOP. The average rent of a townhouse in Macao is around 3,700 MOP while house rental costs can be as high as 7,500 MOP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,700 MOP to 15,000 MOP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Macao
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 120,000 MOP | 190,000 MOP | 370,000 MOP |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 150,000 MOP | 250,000 MOP | 940,000 MOP |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 250,000 MOP | 750,000 MOP | 1.5M MOP |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 830,000 MOP | 1.2M MOP | 3.7M MOP |
| $100,000 | $150,000 | $460,000 |
Townhouse price
| 1.1M MOP | 2.5M MOP | 9.4M MOP |
House price
| 1.2M MOP | 7.5M MOP | 11M MOP |
Villa price
| 1.5M MOP | 8.3M MOP | 12M MOP |
The average price of a studio apartment in Macao can range from 120,000 MOP to 370,000 MOP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 150,000 MOP to 940,000 MOP. A villa can cost you 8.3M MOP on average with prices ranging from 1.5M MOP to 12M MOP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Macao 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
| 34 | x96 monthly income | 198 |
Property prices in Macao can be x96 to x198 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x96 multiples of the average monthly salary in Macao.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Macao is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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
28% 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.
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.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Macao
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Macao
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 150 MOP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 37 MOP to 100 MOP with 75 MOP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 50 MOP but can range between 30 MOP and 150 MOP depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Macao is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Macao
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Macao
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Macao is approximatly 15 MOP with meal cost ranging from 7.5 MOP to 25 MOP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 25 MOP and 75 MOP with 37 MOP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Macao.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 50 MOP to 300 MOP with the average cost being 75 MOP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Macao.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Macao is around 10 MOP. Price ranges between 6.2 MOP and 15 MOP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Macao is 6 MOP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 7.5 MOP and the minimum being 5 MOP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 5 MOP on average with 3.7 MOP and 7.5 MOP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Macao is between 8.5 MOP and 16 MOP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 11 MOP.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 15 MOP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Macao costs around 5.5 MOP on average with prices rangeing between 4 MOP and 7.8 MOP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.5 MOP to 3.7 MOP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 3.5 MOP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Macao is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 110 MOP to 4,900 MOP with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
