Cost Of Living For a Student in Myanmar 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MMK
Average monthly spending for students in Myanmar
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Myanmar?
Students in Myanmar spend around 280,000 MMK per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 42,000 MMK or as high as 1.9M MMK. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Myanmar
Dining, food, and beverages costs
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 |
Cappuccino or latte
| 460 MMK | 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 620 MMK | 800 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
Pack of beef
| 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK | 2,200 MMK |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
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 - Student
| 1,700 MMK | 11,000 MMK | 76,000 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 |
How do students spend their money in Myanmar?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $4.8 10,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $32 68,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $220 450,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Students in Myanmar typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 68,000 MMK with expenditure ranging from 10,000 MMK to 450,000 MMK. 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 utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $0.81 1,700 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $5.4 11,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $36 76,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Myanmar ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 11,000 MMK with 1,700 MMK and 76,000 MMK 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 | $1.4 3,000 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $9.4 20,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $63 130,000 MMK |
| 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 3,000 MMK to 130,000 MMK in a month on commuting with 20,000 MMK 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 | $4 8,500 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $27 57,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $180 380,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Myanmar is 57,000 MMK. The cost of groceries can range between 8,500 MMK to 380,000 MMK. 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 | $1.2 2,500 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $8.1 17,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $54 110,000 MMK |
| Per Month |
Students in Myanmar 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 2,500 MMK to 110,000 MMK with 17,000 MMK being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $1 2,100 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $6.7 14,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $45 94,000 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 2,100 MMK to 94,000 MMK with 14,000 MMK being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $3.8 8,100 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $26 54,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $170 360,000 MMK |
| 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 54,000 MMK per month with 8,100 MMK being the minimum spent amount and 360,000 MMK being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $3 6,400 MMK |
| AVERAGE | $20 43,000 MMK |
| HIGH | $130 280,000 MMK |
| 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 Myanmar
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Myanmar?
Around 47% of surveyed students 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 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 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 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 Myanmar whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes47%
No53%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students 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 student guardians and parents in 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 students of Myanmar have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked 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%
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 monthly rent cost
| 46,000 MMK | 68,000 MMK | 180,000 MMK |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 68,000 MMK | 110,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 91,000 MMK | 140,000 MMK | 360,000 MMK |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 110,000 MMK | 180,000 MMK | 500,000 MMK |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 220,000 MMK | 550,000 MMK | 1.1M MMK |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 180,000 MMK | 270,000 MMK | 780,000 MMK |
House monthly rent cost
| 220,000 MMK | 550,000 MMK | 1.1M MMK |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 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 price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 78M MMK | 180M MMK | 680M MMK |
House price
| 91M MMK | 550M MMK | 780M MMK |
| $43,000 | $260,000 | $370,000 |
Villa price
| 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.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Myanmar
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Myanmar
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,700 MMK | 11,000 MMK | 76,000 MMK |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,700 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 7,300 MMK |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,200 MMK | 3,600 MMK | 11,000 MMK |
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 11,000 MMK. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,700 MMK to 7,300 MMK with 5,500 MMK being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,600 MMK but can range between 2,200 MMK and 11,000 MMK 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 Myanmar is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Myanmar
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Myanmar
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 550 MMK | 1,100 MMK | 1,800 MMK |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Myanmar is approximatly 1,100 MMK with meal cost ranging from 550 MMK to 1,800 MMK. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,800 MMK | 2,700 MMK | 5,500 MMK |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,800 MMK and 5,500 MMK with 2,700 MMK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Myanmar.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,600 MMK | 5,500 MMK | 22,000 MMK |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,600 MMK to 22,000 MMK with the average cost being 5,500 MMK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Myanmar.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 460 MMK | 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Myanmar is around 730 MMK. Price ranges between 460 MMK and 1,100 MMK 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 Myanmar is 440 MMK. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 550 MMK and the minimum being 360 MMK depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 360 MMK on average with 270 MMK and 550 MMK being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 620 MMK | 800 MMK | 1,100 MMK |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Myanmar is between 620 MMK and 1,100 MMK depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 800 MMK.
Pack of beef price
| 730 MMK | 1,100 MMK | 2,200 MMK |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,100 MMK. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Myanmar costs around 400 MMK on average with prices rangeing between 290 MMK and 570 MMK depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 110 MMK to 270 MMK. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 260 MMK 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 Myanmar 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 8,500 MMK to 380,000 MMK with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
