😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $779 in Baguio versus $772 in Ligao City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,139 in Baguio versus $1,197 in Ligao City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,500 in Baguio versus $1,622 in Ligao City.
😐Living in Baguio is roughly 1% more expensive than Ligao City, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio42% lower, Ligao City42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.59₱222
$3.65₱225
-1.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.50₱833
$17.44₱1,075
-22.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.60₱160
$3.39₱209
-23.30%
Cappuccino
$2.34₱145
$2.48₱153
-5.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70₱43.29
$0.83₱51.2
-15.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40₱24.72
$0.39₱24.24
2.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.46₱89.9
$1.35₱83.3
8.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00₱123
$2.16₱133
-7.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89₱116
$1.82₱113
3.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25₱77.3
$1.23₱75.6
1.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.11₱68.6
$0.94₱57.7
18.09%
Eggs
$2.20₱135
$2.09₱129
5.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.08₱560
$8.09₱499
12.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.70₱228
$4.15₱256
-10.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.42₱519
$7.55₱466
11.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63₱162
$2.94₱181
-10.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87₱115
$1.59₱97.9
17.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.26₱140
$2.72₱168
-16.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.18₱72.6
$1.56₱96.1
-24.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82₱112
$2.24₱138
-18.75%
Onion(1kg)
$2.29₱141
$2.55₱157
-10.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72₱44.67
$1.11₱68.8
-35.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77₱47.61
$0.76₱47.13
1.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.35₱206
$2.81₱173
19.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.17₱566
$8.05₱497
13.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08₱66.4
$1.15₱71.1
-6.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26₱140
$1.97₱122
14.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26₱15.90
$0.28₱17.42
-7.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.56₱652
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87₱53.7
$0.82₱50.6
6.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22₱13.54
$0.22₱13.49
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.45₱151
$2.15₱133
13.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.11₱68.3
$1.11₱68.4
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.3K₱2.0M
$26.8K₱1.7M
20.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₱1.3M
$20.7K₱1.3M
-1.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146₱8,987
$112₱6,914
29.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.10₱2,103
$32.68₱2,016
4.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.99₱1,603
$26.96₱1,663
-3.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.76₱1,342
$33.45₱2,063
-34.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.16₱256
$4.46₱275
-6.73%
Cinema Ticket
$5.93₱366
$5.83₱360
1.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$153₱9,455
$153₱9,422
0.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,642₱286.3K
$4,357₱268.7K
6.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.11₱3,029
$45.15₱2,785
8.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.25₱1,681
$26.57₱1,639
2.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.3₱4,706
$74.1₱4,573
2.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.91₱2,832
$54.0₱3,328
-14.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$346₱21.3K
$270₱16.6K
28.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$142₱8,777
$179₱11.0K
-20.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$544₱33.6K
$591₱36.5K
-7.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$264₱16.3K
$399₱24.6K
-33.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,423₱149.4K
$2,374₱146.4K
2.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$949₱58.5K
$333₱20.5K
185.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baguio
Ligao City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$186₱11.5K
$287₱17.7K
-35.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
6.67
-32.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Baguio: April 27, 2026
Last update for Ligao City: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $346 in Baguio and $270 in Ligao City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ligao City pays 55% 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 $17.00 in Ligao City. Groceries flip the comparison at $205 vs $204, with Ligao City 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 Ligao City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Baguio or Ligao City?
Ligao City wins on cost – living expenses run 1% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ligao City the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Baguio or Ligao City?
On paper, Ligao City earns 55% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Baguio vs Ligao City?
Rent for a central apartment: $346 in Baguio versus $270 in Ligao City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Baguio or Ligao City?
Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Baguio. 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 Ligao City?
All in, you'll spend $779 per month in Baguio versus $772 in Ligao City – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Baguio or Ligao City?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Ligao City 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 Ligao 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 Ligao City?
Safety-wise, Baguio and Ligao 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 Ligao City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.