Prices and Cost of Living in Laos

Food and beverage prices in Laos

Popular food products found on store shelves in Laos include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1.82 LAK (1.82 USD) for a kilo of onions to 10.11 LAK (10.11 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.86 LAK (1.86 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 1.72 LAK (1.72 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 2.26 LAK (2.26 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 4.73 LAK (4.73 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 0.55 LAK (0.55 USD). Dairy prices in Laos, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 3.07 LAK (3.07 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 11.89 LAK (11.89 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 4.82 LAK (4.82 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 2.18 LAK (2.18 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 3.79 LAK (3.79 USD) per kilo.

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Laos vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 2.33 LAK (2.33 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 1.01 LAK (1.01 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 5 LAK (5 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 20.83 LAK (20.83 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 3.21 LAK (3.21 USD).

How much does transportation cost in Laos?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 0.68 LAK (0.68 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 5.94 LAK (5.94 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 3 LAK (3 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 1.49 LAK (1.49 USD).

Fuel prices in Laos

Average fuel prices in Laos are 28759 LAK (1.31 USD) per liter of gasoline and 19056 LAK (0.87 USD) per liter of diesel.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Laos?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Laos varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 258 LAK (258 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 562 LAK (562 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 2493 LAK (2493 USD) per square meter.