Cost of Living in Boracay - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $785 monthly including rent, or $532 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,413 with rent, or $854 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,041 including rent, or $1,176 for daily expenses alone.

Boracay sits 28–41% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 25% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13 ₱193
$2.69 ₱166
$3.58 ₱221
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.30 ₱1,314
$10.66 ₱658
$21.30 ₱1,314
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.91 ₱303
$3.58 ₱221
$6.25 ₱385
Cappuccino
$2.36 ₱146
$1.04 ₱64.2
$4.35 ₱268
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱75.8
$0.88 ₱54.4
$1.59 ₱97.8
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 ₱17.46
$0.28 ₱17.46
$0.74 ₱45.92
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.30 ₱80.2
$0.87 ₱53.7
$2.26 ₱139
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 ₱130
$1.41 ₱86.8
$3.97 ₱245
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.75 ₱108
$1.58 ₱97.3
$1.92 ₱119
White Bread (500g)
$1.22 ₱75.1
$0.87 ₱53.9
$1.74 ₱107
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.85 ₱52.4
$0.85 ₱52.4
$0.85 ₱52.4
Eggs
$2.64 ₱163
$1.27 ₱78.5
$2.75 ₱170
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.83 ₱483
$3.47 ₱214
$13.85 ₱855
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.30 ₱266
$2.69 ₱166
$6.28 ₱387
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.49 ₱462
$6.02 ₱371
$10.02 ₱619
Apples (1kg)
$2.98 ₱184
$1.81 ₱111
$4.52 ₱279
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 ₱90.6
$1.38 ₱85.2
$1.56 ₱96.0
Oranges (1kg)
$2.58 ₱159
$1.38 ₱85.4
$5.10 ₱314
Tomato (1kg)
$1.43 ₱88.3
$0.81 ₱49.76
$2.68 ₱165
Potato (1kg)
$1.76 ₱108
$1.14 ₱70.5
$3.52 ₱217
Onion (1kg)
$2.62 ₱162
$1.80 ₱111
$4.52 ₱279
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ₱66.1
$0.57 ₱35.17
$1.74 ₱107
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71 ₱44.01
$0.42 ₱26.17
$1.28 ₱79.1
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.81 ₱235
$2.34 ₱144
$3.81 ₱235
Wine (Bottle)
$7.95 ₱491
$3.22 ₱199
$11.27 ₱696
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 ₱71.2
$0.78 ₱48.26
$1.73 ₱107
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 ₱121
$1.07 ₱66.3
$2.60 ₱160
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₱22.51
$0.22 ₱13.50
$0.36 ₱22.51
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₱49.99
$0.72 ₱44.37
$0.90 ₱55.6
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.57
$0.13 ₱8.26
$0.43 ₱26.56
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.19 ₱135
$2.19 ₱135
$3.65 ₱226
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 ₱77.9
$1.12 ₱69.2
$1.43 ₱88.5
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4K ₱1.6M
$24.6K ₱1.5M
$28.1K ₱1.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K ₱1.3M
$19.6K ₱1.2M
$21.3K ₱1.3M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$114 ₱7,039
$79.0 ₱4,873
$176 ₱10.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.80 ₱543
$8.80 ₱543
$43.99 ₱2,714
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.04 ₱2,347
$35.11 ₱2,166
$43.88 ₱2,708
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.2 ₱3,218
$13.91 ₱858
$52.2 ₱3,218
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.52 ₱279
$0.91 ₱56.1
$4.52 ₱279
Cinema Ticket
$4.12 ₱254
$3.86 ₱238
$4.36 ₱269
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$155 ₱9,537
$67.8 ₱4,180
$361 ₱22.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,962 ₱244.5K
$3,522 ₱217.3K
$4,402 ₱271.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.06 ₱2,842
$8.91 ₱550
$71.3 ₱4,401
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.47 ₱1,633
$8.82 ₱544
$53.0 ₱3,267
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.0 ₱4,689
$44.70 ₱2,758
$107 ₱6,619
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.0 ₱3,269
$31.78 ₱1,961
$106 ₱6,536
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$269 ₱16.6K
$152 ₱9,395
$358 ₱22.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$174 ₱10.8K
$101 ₱6,210
$228 ₱14.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$583 ₱35.9K
$264 ₱16.3K
$763 ₱47.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$758 ₱46.8K
$535 ₱33.0K
$981 ₱60.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,470 ₱152.4K
$823 ₱50.8K
$2,881 ₱177.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$983 ₱60.7K
$325 ₱20.1K
$983 ₱60.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$235 ₱14.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.67
4.5
8.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $269 for a central one-bedroom, or $174 outside the center. At 115% of the average salary ($235), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $235, while typical expenses reach $785. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $201 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $21.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is cheaper than 92% of cities in Asia

Internet is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Boracay Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Boracay - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boracay, Philippines a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other beach destinations?
Yes, Boracay can be surprisingly affordable for extended stays if you pick the right spot and tempo. Housing ranges from simple guesthouses to comfortable apartments, often with flexible leases. Food spans casual bowls to waterfront dinners, with room to splurge on seafood or specialty meals. Transport is light – bikes, trikes, and short ferry hops. Seasonal crowding drives price shifts, so off-peak weeks feel friendlier for budgets. Compared with other tropical hotspots, value comes from mixing local options with longer stays rather than staying in high-end resorts. Cost of Living in Boracay, Philippines helps you plan around lifestyle needs. Tip: Choose a quieter base and time your visit to stretch your budget.
What does daily life look like: housing search, food options, transport, co-working, errands?
For day-to-day life, neighborhoods guide your vibe. Station 1-3 areas offer different rhythms, from quieter beachfront pockets to busier hubs. In housing searches, flexible short-term rentals often translate to better rates for nomads, and longer leases may bring discounts. Food choices range from affordable street meals to elevated cafes; shopping at morning markets helps your budget. Transport is simple: you can pedal, ride a tricycle, or take short boat rides to nearby coves. For remote work, a reliable co-working setup matters. The Boracay, Philippines living cost shifts with tourist flow, so plan a lightweight lifestyle while you explore. Tip: Stock a few staple groceries and map a weekly routine.
How can you optimize quality of life on Boracay with a simple budgeting framework and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life on Boracay blends outdoor life with a steady work tempo. Use a simple budgeting framework: allocate fixed essentials (housing, food, transport) first, then a flexible fun bucket. To save, favor local eateries, buy produce at morning markets, and group errands to cut transport trips. Seasonality affects services and crowds, so adjust activities and accommodation choices accordingly. When selecting a neighborhood, weigh access to beaches, quieter evenings, and proximity to services like grocery stores and coworking spaces. With thoughtful planning, you can keep a balanced pace that matches your work and travel style. Tip: Build a monthly check-in to track where your money goes.
Is Boracay a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
Your money goes further in Boracay than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $785 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is rent in Boracay too high relative to local incomes?
With 115% of the average paycheck going to rent, Boracay is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Boracay?
Earning $1,177 monthly in Boracay means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Boracay per month?
Where you live in Boracay makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $269; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $174. Overall, the market runs from $174 to $269 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Boracay?
Boracay is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $201, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Boracay?
Fitness in Boracay is cheap at around $52.2 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Boracay?
$1,200 stretches far in Boracay – all-in monthly costs average only $785. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What are the pros and cons of living in Boracay?
Boracay offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value vibrant nightlife, clean air, digital nomad infrastructure, and at around $785 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
How much can you save per month in Boracay?
Monthly expenses in Boracay run around $785, so putting money aside takes more than $1,177 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Boracay?
Budget travelers love Boracay – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $785 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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