City Comparison
Macau vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Macau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Macau
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
49% higher compared to Macau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macau's average rent is
17% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Macau | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,117 | $1,338 | -17% |
| Groceries | $425 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $24 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,996 | $1,338 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 65% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Macau is estimated at
$35,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Macau | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $26,796 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,796 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $58,835 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Macau | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Macau.
Macau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Macau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Macau | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macau is the larger city
— approximately 27.5x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Macau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macau | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 723,188 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 1.60% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macau
Advantages
Macau has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reaching 83.5 years in 2025.
The city boasts a strong economy with a high GDP per capita, driven by its prominent tourism and gaming industries.
Macau maintains a generally safe environment with low crime rates, contributing to a high quality of life.
The median monthly employment earnings in Macau were MOP 18,000 (approximately $2,233 USD) as of 2024, indicating a competitive salary landscape.
Residential rents in Macau saw a year-on-year increase in 2024, marking the first rise since 2019, indicating a strengthening rental market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Macau is very high, with a single person estimated to cost $4125 per month.
Housing costs are a significant burden, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at $1,069.
Macau is the second most densely populated region in the world, leading to space constraints.
The median age in Macau is 40.3 years, indicating a rapidly aging population.
While the economy is strong, there is an uneven distribution of wealth between gaming/financial and service workers.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Macau
#20Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,117
Avg Salary
$26,796
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
1.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Moscow
#72Idaho, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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