Cost of living in Philippines
Summary of cost of living in Philippines
- Family of four estimated monthly costs: Php147,232
- Single person estimated monthly costs: Php74,482
- Cost of living in Philippines is cheaper than in 56% of countries in Asia (9 out of 16)
- Cost of living in Philippines is cheaper than in 69% of countries in the World (61 out of 89)
Food | |||
---|---|---|---|
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Php228 | ||
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Php181 | ||
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Php114 | ||
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Php88 | ||
12 eggs, large | Php128 | ||
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Php93 | ||
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Php176 | ||
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Php149 | ||
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Php111 | ||
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Php69 | ||
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Php519 | ||
2 liters of coca-cola | Php86 | ||
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Php64 | ||
Housing | |||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Php63,676 | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Php37,229 | ||
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Php6,496 | ||
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Php31,558 | ||
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Php15,545 | ||
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Php4,091 | ||
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Php1,948 | ||
40” flat screen tv | Php14,276 | ||
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Php4,781 | ||
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Php394 | ||
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Php3,019 | ||
Clothes | |||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Php2,538 | ||
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Php1,430 | ||
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Php3,847 | ||
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Php3,401 | ||
Transportation | |||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Php1,267,040 | ||
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Php68 | ||
Monthly ticket public transport | Php691 | ||
Personal Care | |||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Php301 | ||
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Php679 | ||
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Php1,761 | ||
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Php191 | ||
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Php97 | ||
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Php198 | ||
4 rolls of toilet paper | Php143 | ||
Tube of toothpaste | Php77 | ||
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Php306 | ||
Entertainment | |||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Php1,451 | ||
2 tickets to the movies | Php603 | ||
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Php3,775 | ||
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Php1,566 | ||
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Php315 | ||
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Php145 | ||
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Php84 | ||
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Php14,492 | ||
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Php8 | ||
1 month of gym membership in business district | Php2,479 | ||
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Php134 |
Moving to Philippines with your children?
International Schools in Philippines
Map of Cost of Living in Philippines

This map shows only the top cities in Philippines. We also have on this page a list of all the cities available in Expatistan:
List of all the cities available in Expatistan
The color of each marker corresponds with the cost of living in the city red markers show more expensive cities green ones show cheaper cities
Moving the mouse on top of a city will show its name and the Cost of Living Index of that city.
What is the Cost of Living Index? To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a
central reference city (that happens to be Prague).
Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the
database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.
Cost of Living Ranking in Philippines
(top cities by data quality)
Ranking | City | Price Index * |
---|---|---|
1st | San Juan, La Union | 108 |
2nd | Manila | 92 |
3rd | Davao | 66 |
Price Index:
To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.
Are you moving to Philippines? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in Philipp. of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a salary calculation for:
List of all cities available in Philippines
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 37% more expensive than in Cairo
- Cost of living in Davao is 66% cheaper than in Portland, Oregon
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 21% cheaper than in Manila
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 63% cheaper than in Dallas, Texas
- Cost of living in Manila is 6% cheaper than in Bangkok
- Cost of living in Manila is 54% cheaper than in Pyongyang
- Cost of living in Manila is 24% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 35% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Manila is 12% more expensive than in Accra
- Cost of living in Manila is 45% cheaper than in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Cost of living in Manila is 29% more expensive than in Baguio City
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 39% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Manila is 28% more expensive than in Mumbai
- Cost of living in Manila is 63% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Davao is 65% cheaper than in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Cost of living in Manila is 58% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Manila is 47% cheaper than in Dallas, Texas
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 50% cheaper than in Southampton
- Cost of living in Manila is 51% cheaper than in Sacramento, California
- Cost of living in Cebu City is 61% cheaper than in Chicago, Illinois
Compare other countries
Prices recently added
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Manila costs Php135 (about 20 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in normal area in Manila costs Php10,000 (3 days ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Manila costs Php80 (5 days ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Manila costs Php82 (5 days ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Manila costs Php135 (9 days ago)