Cost of living in Manila (Philippines) is 7% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 267 prices entered by 55 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Manila (Philippines) is 11% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Php302 (RM23) | RM21 | + 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Php242 (RM19) | RM19 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Php138 (RM11) | RM11 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Php143 (RM11) | RM8 | + 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Php125 (RM10) | RM12 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Php140 (RM11) | RM8 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Php183 (RM14) | RM28 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Php134 (RM10) | RM9 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Php150 (RM12) | RM5.23 | + 123% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Php84 (RM7) | RM11 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Php541 (RM42) | RM147 | - 71% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Php98 (RM8) | RM4.89 | + 55% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Php60 (RM4.65) | RM3.59 | + 30% | |
| Housing | + 61% | |||
| Housing in Manila (Philippines) is 61% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Php87,974 (RM6,825) | RM2,760 | + 147% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Php40,481 (RM3,140) | RM1,631 | + 93% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Php5,620 (RM436) | RM257 | + 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Php29,174 (RM2,263) | RM1,723 | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Php14,835 (RM1,151) | RM1,046 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Php4,800 (RM372) | RM164 | + 127% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Php1,647 (RM128) | RM115 | + 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Php17,194 (RM1,334) | RM1,737 | - 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Php4,717 (RM366) | RM584 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Php444 (RM34) | RM30 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Php408 (RM32) | RM25 | + 26% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in Manila (Philippines) is 15% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Php2,126 (RM165) | RM295 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Php1,556 (RM121) | RM114 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Php4,561 (RM354) | RM289 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Php4,069 (RM316) | RM331 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Manila (Philippines) is 26% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Php1,307,460 (RM101,426) | RM160,078 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Php60 (RM4.65) | RM2.39 | + 94% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Php957 (RM74) | RM117 | - 37% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Php336 (RM26) | RM47 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Manila (Philippines) is 31% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Php274 (RM21) | RM14 | + 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Php442 (RM34) | RM22 | + 56% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Php926 (RM72) | RM78 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Php213 (RM17) | RM34 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Php176 (RM14) | RM7 | + 92% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Php185 (RM14) | RM12 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Php102 (RM8) | RM5.06 | + 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Php97 (RM8) | RM7 | + 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Php422 (RM33) | RM39 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | + 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Manila (Philippines) is 39% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manila | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Php1,216 (RM94) | RM46 | + 103% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Php822 (RM64) | RM26 | + 149% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Php1,565 (RM121) | RM70 | + 73% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Php1,852 (RM144) | RM114 | + 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Php383 (RM30) | RM26 | + 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Php172 (RM13) | RM12 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Php174 (RM13) | RM16 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Php29,517 (RM2,290) | RM1,865 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Php8 (RM0.61) | RM0.27 | + 123% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Php2,474 (RM192) | RM180 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Php179 (RM14) | RM17 | - 16% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 7% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 267 prices entered by 55 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.07757
MYR
/
PHP
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For example, you would need at least RM8,920 (Php114,989) in Manila to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,300 in Kota Kinabalu.
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