As of November 12, 2026, the cheaper of the two for travelers is Macau: a mid-range day costs about $153 there, against $164 in the other (Hong Kong), a gap of 7.4%. Over the past year the one that moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor is Macau (+2.8% after inflation, against +2.6%). The lower US advisory belongs to Hong Kong (Level 2, against Level 3).
| Measure | Hong Kong | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $164 | $153 |
| Lean day | $72 | $66 |
| Comfortable day | $389 | $387 |
| Real change, 12 months | +2.6% | +2.8% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +0.9% | +0.9% |
| Versus 5-year average | +7.0% | +10.2% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 3 · Reconsider travel |
| Ease of travel | 4.9 · Effortless | 4.8 · Effortless |
| Index score | 55 | 50 |
| Best months | Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, Apr | Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder months | Jan, Feb, May | Jan, Feb, May |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
A vertical city with country parks behind it, priced in a currency pegged to the dollar.
The catchHotel rooms are small and expensive. The advisory reflects the national security law and its arbitrary enforcement.
A Portuguese-Chinese port turned into the world's biggest casino town.
The catchWeekend and holiday hotel rates double or more. Outside the historic center and the casinos there is not much to do.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.