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Moving to Macau? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Originally written in English & checked by Managing Editor: Ian Wright
Last Updated:

Macau is the gambling capital of Asia and has some of the fanciest hotels and casino complexes in the world.

Macau is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China but has a high degree of autonomy. It has a rich history with its Chinese ties and the fact it was a Portuguese territory for over four centuries. It covers 30.5 sq. kms and has a population of almost 700,000, making it the most densely populated territory on earth.

If you are considering moving to Macau, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.

Quick Macau Facts:

  1. Population: 695,168 (2022 estimate)
  2. Official Language: Chinese and Portuguese, although very few people still speak Portuguese.
  3. GDP Per Capita:$34,584.86 (2022)
  4. Bungy Jump: Macau has the world’s highest bungy jump from a building – 764 feet (233m).
  5. Currency: Macanese pataca (MOP/$). As of 2024, $1 USD = $8.01 MOP, £1 = $10.49 MOP, €1 = $8.79 MOP, $1 CAD = $5.87 MOP, and $1 AUD = $5.41 MOP.

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Macau

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from a range of cities around the world, and shipping it to Macau:

Origin City20FT40FT
Beijing$2,800 - $2,900$4,900 - $5,100
Berlin$3,300 - $3,400$5,700 - $5,900
Chicago$3,600 - $3,700$6,200 - $6,400
Chongqing$2,850 - $2,950$5,000 - $5,200
Delhi$3,500 - $3,600$6,100 - $6,300
Dubai$3,200 - $3,300$5,700 - $5,900
Houston$3,650 - $3,750$6,250 - $6,450
Los Angeles$3,550 - $3,650$6,100 - $6,300
Madrid$3,350 - $3,450$5,800 - $6,000
New York City$3,500 - $3,600$6,150 - $6,350
Paris$3,350 - $3,450$5,800 - $6,000
Phoenix$3,600 - $3,700$6,200 - $6,400
Rome$3,350 - $3,450$5,800 - $6,000
Shanghai$2,900 - $3,000$5,100 - $5,300
Sydney$3,750 - $3,850$6,350 - $6,550
Toronto$3,600 - $3,700$6,200 - $6,400
Vancouver$3,550 - $3,650$6,100 - $6,300
Vienna$3,400 - $3,500$5,850 - $6,050
  • All figures are in USD;
  • The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (October 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from sites such as Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
  • To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
  • Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Macau Housing Costs

Almost everyone in Macau lives in apartments, especially on Macau island. The majority of expats rent their accommodation, with as few as 5% actually buying in the area. As you would expect in a territory with a high density population, renting an apartment or house in Macau is expensive and it can be difficult to find something that suits your needs. 

Monthly Rental Prices in Macau – in MOP$

  • 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: $8,000.00 – $13,374.23  
  • 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $4,500.00 – $11,000.00
  • 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: $15,000.00 – $20,000.00
  • 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $12,000.00 – $24,000.00
  • Price per square meter (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $86,111.28 – $120,000.00
  • Price per square meter (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $60,000.00 – $100,000.00

Source:  Numbeo

Macau Housing Cost Comparison

Below are how rents in Macau compare with other countries around the globe.

United Kingdom is 13.95% cheaper
United States is 30.02% more expensive
Canada is 7.21% cheaper
Australia is 0.41% cheaper
France is 30.19% cheaper
Spain is 40.70% cheaper
Italy is 43.74% cheaper
Germany is 28.22% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

  • Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flat mate: Expat, Macau Roommate, Erasmusu, Macau Classified, and Roomster.
  • Different areas – different prices. Prices are generally the same in every area of Macau as it’s a small territory and land and accommodation are in high demand.

3. Macau Food, Grocery, and Restaurant Costs

Macau attracts tourists from all over the world and its restaurants and hotels reflect that diversity.  You’ll find food from every country represented in Macau from the US’s MacDonalds to 15 Michelin star restaurants.

Prices in MOP$

  1. Inexpensive Restaurant: $30.00 – $100.00
  2. Domestic beer: $15.00 – $40.00
  3. Coke/Pepsi: $4.50 – $9.44
  4. 1L of milk: $15.00 – $33.57
  5. Loaf of Bread: $9.00 – $35.00
  6. 12 Eggs: $14.00 – $30.00
  7. 1kg Chicken Fillets: $25.00 – $68.00
  8. 1kg Beef: $50.00 – $240.00
  9. 1kg Apples: $15.00 – $40.00-
  10. 1kg White Rice: $10.00 – $30.00

 Source:  Numbeo 

Below is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.

  • UKrestaurants are 40% more expensive and groceries are 34.42% cheaper than Macau.
  • US restaurants are 02% more expensive and groceries are 4.54% cheaper than Macau.
  • Canadian restaurants are 84% more expensive and groceries are 13.46% cheaper than Macau.
  • Australian restaurants are06% more expensive and groceries are 4.10% cheaper than Macau.
  • French restaurants are 10% more expensive and groceries are 13.38% cheaper than Macau.
  • Spanish restaurants are 72% more expensive and groceries are 45.65% cheaper than Macau.
  • Italian restaurants are 89% more expensive and groceries are 30.89% cheaper than Macau.
  • German restaurants are 81% more expensive and groceries are 32.60% cheaper than Macau.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

4. Macau Alcohol Costs

There are no laws governing alcohol in Macau; anyone of any age can buy and drink alcohol.  The locals drink very little, but the gamblers and tourists make up for it.

Prices in MOP$

  • Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $30.00 – $70.00     
  • Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $15.00 – $40.00
  • Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $6.50 – $12.00
  • Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $9.00 – $22.29
  • Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $75.00 – $168.00

Source:  Numbeo

How to drink for less in Macau

  • Scour the internet and local papers for information on which shops, bars and restaurants are offering deals that day. Many bars, clubs and restaurants have happy hours late afternoon and early evening, where you can enjoy half price drinks.  Browse the following sites for tips on where to go to save money on a night out Macau Lifestyle, TripAdvisor,  Night Flow, and Trip Factory.

5. Macau Transportation Fares

Macau has a great transport system comprising of affordable, reliable light rapid transit, bus and tram services, plus ferries which take you to various parts of Macau, Hong Kong and China.  MTR runs the light rapid transit and Transmac and TCM run the bus services. Information on the various ferries and ferry routes can be found here.

Below are some example ticket costs (MOP$)

  • One-way ticket (Local transport: $3.00 – $6.00
  • Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): $90.00 – $400.00
  • Taxi start (normal tariff): $19.00 – $20.19
  • Taxi 1km (normal tariff): $7.50 – $19.00

Source:  Numbeo 

How to save money on public transport

  • Public buses and taxis are the cheapest in Macau.
  • Renting a bike, motorcycle or scooter is a good option for convenience and flexibility if you’re prepared to brave the traffic

6. Cost of Internet in Macau

Internet speed and coverage is excellent in Macau. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from late 2022 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym, and Leisure

Macau has a subtropical climate with hot, rainy summers and mild winters. January is the coldest month with temperatures of between 10C and 15C.  Summers are hot with temperatures of over 35C on most days. Macau has an average annual rainfall of 2,000mm, with June being the wettest month.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices (MOP$).

  • Pair of Jeans: $200.00 – $1,000.00
  • Summer Dress: $200.00 – $600.00
  • Running Shoes (Trainers): $260.00 – $800.00
  • Business Shoes: $450.00 – $1,300.00
  • Short Doctor’s visit (15 mines): $200
  • Deodorant: $31.00
  • Shampoo: $52.00
  • Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $10.00
  • Gym membership per month: $500.00 – $1,500.00
  • Movie (cinema) ticket: $90.00 – $150.00

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Macau

You can use your home country driving licence for short visits to Macau which are covered by a tourist visa, but you’ll need an International Driving Licence for longer visits.  If you’re staying for over 12 months, you’ll need to exchange your driving licence for a local one. Buying a new or second hand car is a fairly simple process. All vehicles have to pass an annual inspection, so you’ll know your second hand vehicle is roadworthy when you buy it. Road regulations and rules are numerous and attract fines which are handed out by diligent traffic police in the territory.

  • Fuel: MOP$10.50 – MOP$14
  • New Vehicle: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 – MOP$206,000 – MOP$300,000
  • Other fees (if any): The average monthly cost of running a car in Macau is MOP$2,500

Source: Numbeo

Ways to save money driving in Macau

Need your car/vehicle moved to Macau? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping

9. Taxes in Macau

Everyone who is working for a company in Macau is required to pay tax even if they are working outside the territory. The tax rate ranges from 0% to 12% depending on the amount earned. Corporate tax in Macau is 12%. There’s no VAT on goods and services. Go to GSL for more detailed information on taxation in Macau.

10. Flight Costs from Macau

If you do make the move to Macau, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of late 2022 (MOP$):

  • London: $26,236.82
  • Paris: $26,497.45
  • New York: $35,813.69
  • Los Angeles: $39,455.42
  • Toronto: $36,660.00
  • Dubai: $15,793.90
  • Sydney: $15,556.11
  • Melbourne: $16,010.93
  • Cape Town: $32,047.85
  • Hong Kong: $4,316.21

Other Macau Relocation Tips

The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Macau. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Relocating to Macau Alone

Relocating abroad is exciting but moving alone can be challenging. The upbeat atmosphere in Macau and the friendly people will help ease you into your new life. Here are a few tips about settling in Macau.

  • Meetups:Connect with like-minded souls through Meetup to participate in a wide range of activities in Macau.
  • Attend local events: There is always something going on in Macau and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Travel Lens, Planetware and China Highlights

12. Moving to Macau with a Family

Relocating abroad with family is exciting but it can also be a little daunting. Macau has a lot to attract families. There are indoor play areas, museums, historical sites, amusement parks, art galleries, music, the beach, swimming, and much more.

  • New parents (or parents-to-be):Have a look at Little Steps Asia and Our Globetrotters for advice, courses, and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
  • Live in a family-friendly area:Taipa, the middle of the three islands that make up Macau, is definitely the best area to live in with a family. There’s a better variety of housing available and some good schools.
  • Find things to do with the kids:Macau has many things for children to do. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Travel2Next, Macau Lifestyle and China Highlights.

13. Moving to Macau for Work

Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make a move.

Macau is a big destination for both tourism and gambling.  It’s always looking for people in the service industry – hotels, casinos, restaurants, bars and night clubs. Other sectors that employ expats include education, finance, construction, IT, medicine and administration.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

  1. Salary:Salaries in Macau are lower than Hong Kong but higher than mainland China. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can check salary ranges for your profession at Glassdoor and Payscale.
  2. How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Macau, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: We Xpats, LinkedIn, HK Jobs and Glassdoor. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Macau from Australia

Approximately 2,000 Aussies live and work in Macau. If you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

  • Size comparison:Australia is 258,040.6 times bigger than Macau. The population of Australia is 25,739,000 whereas the population of Macau is a mere 658,391.
  • Join expat groups: Have a look at Meetup and Internations to meet fellow Aussies in Macau.

15. Moving to Macau from Canada

There’s a large Canadian contingent in Macau. If you’re considering making the move from Canada, here are a few things to consider.

  • Size:Canada is 332,822.3 times bigger than Macau. The population of Canada is 38,246,000 whereas the population of Macau is only 658,391 people.
  • Expat groups:Meet fellow Canadians in Macau through Meetup and Internations.

16. Moving to Macau from the United Kingdom

There are a fair number of Brits living in Macau who mainly work in the casinos and hotels. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:

  • Size: The UK is 8,120.3 times bigger than Macau. The population of the UK is 67,327,000 whereas the population of Macau is 658,391.
  • Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Macau through MeetUp and  Internations.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Macau you can start by comparing moving quotes here.

Other Useful Guides to Macau and China

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