Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Abidjan and Cebu

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $934 a month against $1,222 in Abidjan, rent and utilities included – about $3,500 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Abidjan
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
$1,222
/mo nomad
Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$934
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Abidjan and in Cebu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Abidjan and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,222 in Abidjan versus $934 in Cebu.

  • Abidjan $1,222
  • Cebu $934

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,090 in Abidjan versus $1,415 in Cebu.

  • Abidjan $2,090
  • Cebu $1,415

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,957 in Abidjan versus $1,896 in Cebu.

  • Abidjan $2,957
  • Cebu $1,896

Living in Abidjan is roughly 31% more expensive than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities sit below the global median: Abidjan 9% lower, Cebu 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.59 F CFA 1,512
$3.03 ₱191
-14.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.8 F CFA 39.6K
$23.48 ₱1,476
188.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.46 F CFA 6,113
$4.09 ₱257
155.75%
Cappuccino
$1.85 F CFA 1,079
$2.52 ₱158
-26.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 F CFA 419
$1.54 ₱97.2
-53.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 F CFA 446
$0.49 ₱31.06
55.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.04 F CFA 610
$1.79 ₱113
-41.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 F CFA 970
$2.26 ₱142
-26.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.10 F CFA 1,229
$1.95 ₱122
7.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.49 F CFA 289
$1.43 ₱89.9
-65.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.14 F CFA 666
$1.02 ₱64.0
11.76%
Eggs
$2.29 F CFA 1,339
$2.06 ₱129
11.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.21 F CFA 14.7K
$9.81 ₱617
156.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.73 F CFA 3,348
$4.61 ₱290
24.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.00 F CFA 3,508
$7.70 ₱484
-22.08%
Apples (1kg)
$3.91 F CFA 2,285
$3.31 ₱208
18.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 F CFA 607
$1.45 ₱91.2
-28.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.09 F CFA 1,221
$2.36 ₱148
-11.44%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.39 F CFA 1,396
$1.54 ₱96.6
55.19%
Potato (1kg)
$1.76 F CFA 1,031
$2.36 ₱148
-25.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 F CFA 932
$1.99 ₱125
-20.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.59 F CFA 345
$1.15 ₱72.3
-48.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 F CFA 502
$0.67 ₱42.26
28.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.75 F CFA 1,021
$3.00 ₱189
-41.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.22 F CFA 3,049
$6.35 ₱399
-17.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 F CFA 618
$1.31 ₱82.1
-19.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16 F CFA 678
$1.73 ₱109
-32.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.92 F CFA 535
$0.25 ₱15.82
268.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.81 F CFA 25.0K
$12.65 ₱796
238.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.67 F CFA 976
$0.74 ₱46.44
125.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 F CFA 1,007
$0.21 ₱13.15
719.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.89 F CFA 15.1K
$4.33 ₱272
497.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 F CFA 883
$1.33 ₱83.7
13.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1K F CFA 16.4M
$21.8K ₱1.4M
29.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K F CFA 15.8M
$19.4K ₱1.2M
39.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$163 F CFA 95.4K
$121 ₱7,583
35.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.63 F CFA 14.4K
$14.45 ₱909
70.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.38 F CFA 20.7K
$28.29 ₱1,779
25.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.0 F CFA 40.9K
$32.68 ₱2,055
114.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29 F CFA 12.4K
$6.39 ₱402
233.18%
Cinema Ticket
$8.65 F CFA 5,058
$5.46 ₱343
58.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$367 F CFA 214.6K
$273 ₱17.2K
34.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,608 F CFA 2.7M
$8,156 ₱512.9K
-43.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.0 F CFA 53.2K
$49.57 ₱3,117
83.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.71 F CFA 21.5K
$24.87 ₱1,564
47.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.2 F CFA 44.5K
$76.6 ₱4,817
-0.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137 F CFA 80.2K
$59.3 ₱3,727
131.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$679 F CFA 396.9K
$506 ₱31.8K
34.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$342 F CFA 200.1K
$309 ₱19.5K
10.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,604 F CFA 1.5M
$1,052 ₱66.1K
147.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,010 F CFA 590.4K
$619 ₱38.9K
63.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,189 F CFA 1.3M
$2,915 ₱183.4K
-24.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$675 F CFA 394.8K
$1,867 ₱117.4K
-63.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abidjan
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$215 F CFA 126.0K
$341 ₱21.5K
-36.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15.75
7.2
118.75%

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

Last update for Abidjan: October 6, 2026

Last update for Cebu: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Abidjan
$342
Cebu
$309 9.6% $33
Groceries & Markets
Abidjan
$247
Cebu
$210 14.9% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abidjan
$223
Cebu
$163 26.8% $60
Clothing & Footwear
Abidjan
$154
Cebu
$95 38.4% $59
Eating Out
Abidjan
$89
Cebu
$88 0.3% $0.3
Sport & Entertainment
Abidjan
$87
Cebu
$44 50.1% $44
Getting Around
Abidjan
$57
Cebu
$15 72.8% $41

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $679 in Abidjan and $506 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Cebu pays 58% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $68.0 in Abidjan vs $23.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $247 vs $210 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇮 Abidjan
🇵🇭 Cebu
🕒 Local time
08:14 8:14 AM
16:14 4:14 PM
8 h ahead of Abidjan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
7,567,409
964,169
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to XOF – West African CFA Franc Converter

West African CFA Franc exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 585 XOF (1,000 XOF = 1.71 USD). 1 EUR = 656 XOF (1,000 XOF = 1.53 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 62.89 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.54 PHP (100 PHP = 1.42 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Abidjan Cebu 13,990 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Abidjan
  • Cebu

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abidjan vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Abidjan?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 31% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Abidjan or Cebu?
On paper, salaries run 58% lower in Cebu. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Abidjan and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $679 in Abidjan versus $506 in Cebu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Abidjan or in Cebu?
Dining out is cheaper in Cebu – a meal for two runs $23.00 versus $68.0 in Abidjan. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Abidjan and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $1,222 per month in Abidjan versus $934 in Cebu – a 31% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Abidjan or in Cebu?
At $934 in Cebu versus $1,222 in Abidjan, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Abidjan. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Abidjan or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Abidjan, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Abidjan or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Abidjan and Cebu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cebu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in Abidjan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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