Mawlamyine, the fourth largest city in Myanmar, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocating or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Mawlamyine, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2 on average.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer costs around $1.5 per bottle.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A bottle of Coke or Pepsi is priced at $0.5.
  • Cappuccino - A regular cappuccino costs about $1.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $0.9 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.5.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced at $3.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs $8.4 per kg.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs $0.2.
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced at $2.1 per kg.
  • Apples (1kg) - Apples cost $1.64 per kg.
  • Oranges (1kg) - Oranges are priced at $1.74 per kg.
  • Potato (1kg) - Potatoes cost $1.5 per kg.
  • Lettuce (1 head) - A head of lettuce costs $1.52.
  • Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes are priced at $2.77 per kg.
  • Banana (1kg) - Bananas cost $0.89 per kg.
  • Onion (1kg) - Onions are priced at $0.35 per kg.
  • Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round costs $3.78 per kg.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.5.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.75 per liter.
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) - Taxi fares start at $2.
  • Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) - The cost per km in a taxi is $2.5.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $250.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $120.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $600.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $250.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is $800.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter is $500.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $75.
  • Internet - Internet services cost $50.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $25.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2023.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$2.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.90
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.50
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.00
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.40
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.20
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.10
Apples (1kg)
$1.64
Oranges (1kg)
$1.74
Potato (1kg)
$1.50
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.52
Tomato (1kg)
$2.77
Banana (1kg)
$0.89
Onion (1kg)
$0.35
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$3.78
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.50
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.75
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$50,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.50
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,000.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$250.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$120.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$600.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$250.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$75.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$50.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$25.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$120.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$10.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$36.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$24.00
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$800.00
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$500.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
5%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$500.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$9,000.00
Mawlamyine Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Mawlamyine offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable dining and housing options.

Transportation and utilities are also reasonably priced, making it an attractive option for those looking to live in Myanmar.

While some imported goods and services may be more expensive, local products and services remain budget-friendly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mawlamyine presents an affordable living environment with a blend of cultural richness and modern amenities.

Potential residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the high costs associated with larger cities, making it an appealing choice for both locals and expatriates.