🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $788 in Baguio versus $810 in Bayawan City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,154 in Baguio versus $1,271 in Bayawan City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,520 in Baguio versus $1,733 in Bayawan City.
🙂Living in Baguio costs roughly 3% less than in Bayawan City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio41% lower, Bayawan City40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57₱220
$4.42₱272
-19.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.38₱825
$23.64₱1,457
-43.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.64₱162
$4.34₱268
-39.17%
Cappuccino
$2.36₱145
$2.54₱157
-7.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65₱40.14
$0.78₱48.19
-16.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38₱23.18
$0.42₱25.99
-9.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.39₱85.5
$1.53₱94.4
-9.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89₱117
$2.17₱134
-12.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88₱116
$1.93₱119
-2.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.19₱73.4
$1.57₱96.9
-24.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.12₱68.8
$0.76₱46.92
47.37%
Eggs
$2.22₱137
$2.35₱145
-5.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.21₱568
$12.65₱780
-27.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.74₱231
$5.23₱322
-28.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.33₱514
$7.57₱467
10.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.74₱169
$3.53₱218
-22.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80₱111
$1.50₱92.7
20.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.39₱147
$3.45₱213
-30.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20₱74.3
$2.19₱135
-45.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.81₱112
$2.63₱162
-31.18%
Onion(1kg)
$2.29₱141
$2.53₱156
-9.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.73₱45.12
$1.00₱61.5
-27.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72₱44.25
$0.83₱51.5
-13.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.26₱201
$3.25₱200
0.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.08₱560
$4.82₱297
88.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06₱65.5
$0.90₱55.5
17.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31₱143
$2.35₱145
-1.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26₱15.91
$0.28₱17.36
-7.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.85₱669
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92₱57.0
$0.83₱51.4
10.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.24₱14.88
$0.25₱15.53
-4.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.40₱148
$2.60₱161
-7.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12₱69.0
$1.15₱70.7
-2.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.8K₱2.0M
$30.7K₱1.9M
3.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K₱1.3M
$27.7K₱1.7M
-26.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147₱9,087
$98.4₱6,069
49.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.37₱2,181
$34.84₱2,149
1.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.43₱1,630
$29.40₱1,813
-10.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.38₱1,380
$34.22₱2,110
-34.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.18₱257
$4.52₱279
-7.52%
Cinema Ticket
$5.60₱346
$1.74₱107
221.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$154₱9,495
$234₱14.4K
-34.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,706₱290.2K
$3,966₱244.5K
18.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.79₱2,947
$46.35₱2,858
3.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.10₱1,671
$23.07₱1,423
17.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.1₱4,690
$75.5₱4,654
0.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.80₱2,824
$55.9₱3,447
-18.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$345₱21.3K
$271₱16.7K
27.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$145₱8,959
$176₱10.9K
-17.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$549₱33.8K
$586₱36.2K
-6.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$261₱16.1K
$390₱24.1K
-33.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,417₱149.1K
$2,480₱152.9K
-2.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$933₱57.5K
$988₱60.9K
-5.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baguio
Bayawan City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$181₱11.2K
$112₱6,930
61.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
8
-43.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Baguio: June 2, 2026
Last update for Bayawan City: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $345 in Baguio and $271 in Bayawan City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Baguio pays 61% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $13.00 in Baguio vs $24.00 in Bayawan City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $232 per month, with Baguio cheaper across the board.
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
Baguio vs Bayawan City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Baguio or Bayawan City?
Baguio wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Bayawan City. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baguio the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Baguio or Bayawan City?
Baguio pays 61% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Baguio vs Bayawan City?
Rent for a central apartment: $345 in Baguio versus $271 in Bayawan City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Baguio or Bayawan City?
Supermarket bills run roughly 13% higher in Bayawan City. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Baguio compared to Bayawan City?
All in, you'll spend $788 per month in Baguio versus $810 in Bayawan City – a 3% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Baguio or Bayawan City?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Baguio gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Baguio or Bayawan City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Baguio compared to Bayawan City?
Safety-wise, Baguio and Bayawan City 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Baguio gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Bayawan City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.