Philippines (2024)

34.0

Philippines : Cost of Living by City

• Cebu
• Davao
• Dumaguete
• Makati
• Manila
• Quezon City

RESTAURANTS

Eating out is definitely more expensive than cooking at home, but the Philippines offer some great cooking – and not as expensive as it would be expected.

Of course, there are many high-end fancy restaurants and they’re not cheap, but you can also eat at an inexpensive restaurant for less than 4$ and have a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant for only about 22$.

MARKETS

Cooking at home is cheaper probably by 40 to 50% than eating outside.

You can shop at many supermarkets or the Robinsons mall and if you really want to splurge, you’ll need around 500$ a month.

There are also small bakeries in the neighborhood that sell cheap bread and sari-sari stores (variety stores) where you can buy goods in smaller packages.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation isn’t the best in the Philippines.

You can use Grab Car or Uber, and keep in mind that if you use a normal taxi in Manila you might get ripped off.

Jeepneys are the cheapest way to get around and could significantly decrease your transportation costs.

Transportation is, in general, very cheap though.

A monthly pass for public transport costs around 11$.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Utilities are just ridiculously expensive in the Philippines.

You can easily spend around 100$ per month.

That would include using an air conditioner for around eight hours per day.

Lights, gadget charging, TV, and hot water in an apartment of around 85m2 will cost you over 100$.

The water bill is around 5$ per month.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Cities in the Philippines are filled with cinemas, theaters, and other leisure opportunities, and a ticket for a movie in a cinema will cost you around 5$.

Indulging in sports and fitness is more expensive, like in most countries.

If you want a gym or a fitness club membership, it will amount to around 34$.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Major cities like Manila are literally brimming with large malls that are just waiting for you.

They also offer great shopping opportunities since the prices are pretty low.

For example, you can buy Levi’s jeans for around 40$, while a pair of running shoes from brands like Nike cost around 70$.

Lighter pieces of clothing like shirts and summer dresses are around 25$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rent for an apartment is at least 100$ per month around the city.

But if you are alone, you might prefer to stay in a boarding house or lodging house.

Depending on the part of the city, you can find an apartment for 100$, or 350$ – if you have your mind set on living in the city center.

For a larger apartment for the whole family, you’ll have to pay at least 400$.

10.4%

37.6%

12.6%

9%

6.2%

3.3%

20.9%

Average Salary$303.86

Minimum Wage$158.7

Mortgage Interest Rate7.28%

Philippines Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Philippines Safety Review

Safety Index:

• OVERALL RISK: HIGH
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: HIGH
• TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
• SCAMS RISK: HIGH
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM