Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Dasmarinas Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Dasmarinas

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $766 in Baguio versus $497 in Dasmarinas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,168 in Baguio versus $734 in Dasmarinas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Baguio versus $972 in Dasmarinas.

Living in Baguio is roughly 54% more expensive than in Dasmarinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 44% lower, Dasmarinas 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 ₱253

$4.01 ₱252

0.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.53 ₱1,037

$16.93 ₱1,062

-2.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.77 ₱174

$2.75 ₱172

0.73%

Cappuccino

$1.84 ₱116

$1.83 ₱115

0.55%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ₱37.76

$0.60 ₱37.85

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ₱20.84

$0.30 ₱19.08

10.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱64.3

$1.01 ₱63.3

1.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₱98.3

$1.61 ₱101

-2.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 ₱104

$1.37 ₱86.1

21.17%

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 ₱72.2

$1.15 ₱71.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱63.3

$0.68 ₱42.67

48.53%

Eggs

$2.02 ₱127

$1.79 ₱113

12.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 ₱313

$5.18 ₱325

-3.67%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 ₱218

$3.37 ₱212

2.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱489

$4.50 ₱283

73.33%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 ₱145

$2.19 ₱138

5.48%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 ₱95.8

$1.53 ₱95.7

Oranges (1kg)

$2.30 ₱145

$2.39 ₱150

-3.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱65.1

$1.02 ₱64.0

1.96%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 ₱104

$1.68 ₱106

-1.79%

Onion (1kg)

$1.77 ₱111

$1.73 ₱108

2.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.75

$0.66 ₱41.16

1.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₱32.90

$0.53 ₱33.43

-1.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.98 ₱187

$2.99 ₱188

-0.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.49 ₱533

$8.91 ₱559

-4.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ₱60.2

$0.96 ₱59.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱128

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 ₱14.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.81 ₱803

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱50.9

$0.83 ₱52.0

-2.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.37

$0.25 ₱15.69

-8.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₱118

$1.87 ₱117

0.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ₱75.0

$0.95 ₱59.7

26.32%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$21.7K ₱1.4M

-0.85%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$19.1K ₱1.2M

$19.2K ₱1.2M

-0.62%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$138 ₱8,659

$47.94 ₱3,007

187.98%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.68 ₱1,109

$17.45 ₱1,094

1.32%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.45 ₱1,471

$23.62 ₱1,481

-0.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.64 ₱1,357

$33.48 ₱2,100

-35.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.27 ₱331

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ₱322

$5.21 ₱327

-1.54%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$131 ₱8,230

$134 ₱8,427

-2.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K ₱674.6K

$10.9K ₱681.7K

-1.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.37 ₱1,842

$28.56 ₱1,791

2.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.10 ₱1,198

$19.51 ₱1,223

-2.10%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.9 ₱4,569

$71.1 ₱4,460

2.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.0 ₱3,510

$54.7 ₱3,433

2.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 ₱25.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 ₱12.5K

$48.23 ₱3,025

314.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 ₱53.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 ₱29.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,603 ₱163.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$928 ₱58.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$179 ₱11.3K

$353 ₱22.1K

-49.11%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.75

6.4

5.47%

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

Last update for Baguio: September 13, 2026

Last update for Dasmarinas: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dasmarinas pays 97% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $17.00 in Baguio vs $17.00 in Dasmarinas. Groceries flip the comparison at $174 vs $160, with Dasmarinas cheaper for home cooking.

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 Dasmarinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dasmarinas wins on cost – living expenses run 54% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Dasmarinas the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 97% lower in Dasmarinas. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Supermarket bills run roughly 9% higher in Baguio. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $766 per month in Baguio versus $497 in Dasmarinas – a 54% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Dasmarinas gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Baguio and Dasmarinas are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Dasmarinas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 54% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.