Cost of Living in Macau, China
Macau is a city in China, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,711 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,121 per month, or $1,081 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 223 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Macau scores 86/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter highs around 66°F, with roughly 167 sunny days a year.
Macau Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Macau
How Macau Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Macau ranks in the top 5% for safety, but sits in the bottom 27% for air quality. It costs more than 53% of them.
| Metric | Macau | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,711 | #183 of 340 | #63 of 65 |
| Safety | 86/100 | #16 of 340 | #4 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 67/100 | #179 of 340 | #29 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 223 Mbps | #115 of 340 | #19 of 65 |
| Walkability | 70/100 | #100 of 340 | #13 of 65 |
| Public transit | 75/100 | #41 of 340 | #13 of 65 |
| Food scene | 85/100 | #64 of 340 | #27 of 65 |
| Air quality | 75/100 | #250 of 340 | #31 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Macau
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Macau.
- Osaka, Japan — $1,301/mo, 24% cheaper, safety 82/100
- Fukuoka, Japan — $1,180/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan — $1,056/mo, 38% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Hiroshima, Japan — $1,111/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 86/100
Macau FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Macau?
A single person should budget around $1,711 per month in Macau, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Macau?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Macau averages $1,121 per month, dropping to about $1,081 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,050.
Is Macau safe?
Macau scores 86/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.
How fast is the internet in Macau?
Median download speeds in Macau are around 223 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 12 coworking spaces in the city.
Does China offer a digital nomad visa?
China does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Macau?
Macau sees summer highs around 88°F and winter highs near 66°F, with about 167 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 101 days.
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