Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and San Fernando, La Union Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and San Fernando, La Union

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $766 in Baguio versus $726 in San Fernando, La Union.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,168 in Baguio versus $1,095 in San Fernando, La Union.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Baguio versus $1,464 in San Fernando, La Union.

Living in Baguio is roughly 6% more expensive than in San Fernando, La Union, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 44% lower, San Fernando, La Union 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 ₱253

$3.76 ₱236

7.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.53 ₱1,039

$14.97 ₱941

10.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.77 ₱174

$3.09 ₱194

-10.36%

Cappuccino

$1.84 ₱116

$2.50 ₱157

-26.40%

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

$0.60 ₱37.82

$0.55 ₱34.56

9.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ₱20.87

$0.30 ₱18.83

10.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱64.4

$1.03 ₱64.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₱98.5

$1.77 ₱111

-11.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 ₱105

$1.67 ₱105

-0.60%

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 ₱72.3

$1.29 ₱81.2

-10.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱63.4

$0.95 ₱60.0

6.32%

Eggs

$2.02 ₱127

$2.15 ₱135

-6.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 ₱313

$5.47 ₱343

-8.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 ₱218

$4.69 ₱294

-26.01%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱490

$7.02 ₱441

11.11%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 ₱145

$2.64 ₱166

-12.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 ₱96.0

$1.49 ₱93.3

2.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.30 ₱145

$2.45 ₱154

-6.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱65.3

$1.26 ₱79.0

-17.46%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 ₱104

$2.04 ₱128

-19.12%

Onion (1kg)

$1.77 ₱111

$2.23 ₱140

-20.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.82

$0.89 ₱56.1

-24.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₱32.95

$0.52 ₱32.74

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.98 ₱187

$2.44 ₱154

22.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.49 ₱534

$7.31 ₱459

16.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ₱60.3

$0.82 ₱51.3

17.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱128

$2.14 ₱134

-4.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 ₱14.39

$0.27 ₱16.83

-14.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.81 ₱805

$10.01 ₱629

27.97%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱51.0

$0.68 ₱42.56

19.12%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.39

$0.24 ₱14.77

-4.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₱118

$2.16 ₱136

-12.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ₱75.2

$1.01 ₱63.3

18.81%

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

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$20.2K ₱1.3M

6.49%

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

$19.1K ₱1.2M

$19.4K ₱1.2M

-1.58%

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

$138 ₱8,673

$138 ₱8,647

0.31%

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

$17.68 ₱1,111

$13.86 ₱871

27.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.45 ₱1,473

$22.57 ₱1,418

3.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.64 ₱1,359

$31.83 ₱2,000

-32.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.27 ₱331

$5.34 ₱335

-1.31%

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ₱322

$4.57 ₱287

12.25%

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

$131 ₱8,244

$129 ₱8,087

1.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K ₱675.8K

$8,412 ₱528.5K

27.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.37 ₱1,845

$30.11 ₱1,892

-2.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.10 ₱1,200

$20.03 ₱1,258

-4.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.9 ₱4,577

$71.8 ₱4,510

1.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.0 ₱3,516

$56.4 ₱3,541

-0.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 ₱25.1K

$267 ₱16.7K

49.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 ₱12.6K

$172 ₱10.8K

16.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 ₱53.6K

$488 ₱30.7K

74.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 ₱29.1K

$350 ₱22.0K

32.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,603 ₱163.5K

$2,732 ₱171.6K

-4.71%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$928 ₱58.3K

$1,146 ₱72.0K

-19.02%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$179 ₱11.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.75

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

Last update for Baguio: September 13, 2026

Last update for San Fernando, La Union: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $399 in Baguio and $267 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $17.00 in Baguio vs $15.00 in San Fernando, La Union. Groceries flip the comparison at $174 vs $185, with Baguio 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 San Fernando, La Union: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

San Fernando, La Union wins on cost – living expenses run 6% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Fernando, La Union the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $1,149 in Baguio and $1,089 in San Fernando, La Union to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $399 in Baguio versus $267 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $766 per month in Baguio versus $726 in San Fernando, La Union – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in San Fernando, La Union runs roughly 28% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.