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: $779 in Baguio versus $695 in San Fernando, La Union.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,139 in Baguio versus $1,042 in San Fernando, La Union.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,500 in Baguio versus $1,390 in San Fernando, La Union.

Living in Baguio is roughly 12% more expensive than San Fernando, La Union, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 42% lower, San Fernando, La Union 48% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.59 ₱220

$3.47 ₱212

3.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.50 ₱826

$17.45 ₱1,068

-22.64%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.60 ₱159

$3.39 ₱207

-23.30%

Cappuccino

$2.34 ₱143

$2.35 ₱144

-0.43%

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

$0.70 ₱42.94

$0.82 ₱50.4

-14.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 ₱24.52

$0.40 ₱24.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.46 ₱89.2

$1.30 ₱79.3

12.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00 ₱122

$2.15 ₱132

-6.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 ₱115

$3.07 ₱188

-38.44%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 ₱76.6

$1.28 ₱78.1

-2.34%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 ₱68.1

$0.99 ₱60.7

12.12%

Eggs

$2.20 ₱134

$2.00 ₱123

10.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.08 ₱555

$7.93 ₱485

14.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.70 ₱226

$4.13 ₱253

-10.41%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.42 ₱515

$7.81 ₱478

7.81%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ₱161

$2.88 ₱176

-8.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 ₱114

$1.59 ₱97.5

17.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.26 ₱138

$2.63 ₱161

-14.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.18 ₱72.0

$1.55 ₱94.9

-23.87%

Potato (1kg)

$1.82 ₱111

$2.28 ₱139

-20.18%

Onion (1kg)

$2.29 ₱140

$2.51 ₱154

-8.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ₱44.31

$1.10 ₱67.3

-34.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ₱47.22

$0.70 ₱43.02

10.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.35 ₱205

$2.88 ₱176

16.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.17 ₱561

$8.50 ₱520

7.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 ₱65.8

$1.16 ₱70.9

-6.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 ₱138

$2.07 ₱127

9.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 ₱15.77

$0.26 ₱15.87

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.56 ₱646

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.87 ₱53.3

$0.77 ₱46.83

12.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.22 ₱13.43

$0.24 ₱14.72

-8.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 ₱150

$2.18 ₱133

12.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 ₱67.8

$1.15 ₱70.6

-3.48%

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

$32.3K ₱2.0M

$26.9K ₱1.6M

19.86%

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

$20.5K ₱1.3M

$20.8K ₱1.3M

-1.56%

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

$146 ₱8,914

$112 ₱6,824

30.63%

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

$34.10 ₱2,086

$32.59 ₱1,994

4.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.99 ₱1,590

$27.68 ₱1,694

-6.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.76 ₱1,331

$13.38 ₱818

62.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.16 ₱254

$4.31 ₱264

-3.48%

Cinema Ticket

$5.93 ₱363

$5.92 ₱362

0.17%

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

$153 ₱9,378

$149 ₱9,115

2.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,642 ₱284.0K

$5,735 ₱350.9K

-19.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.11 ₱3,005

$46.51 ₱2,846

5.59%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.25 ₱1,667

$26.62 ₱1,629

2.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.3 ₱4,667

$35.11 ₱2,148

117.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.91 ₱2,809

$39.38 ₱2,409

16.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$346 ₱21.2K

$131 ₱8,042

163.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$142 ₱8,706

$122 ₱7,460

16.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$544 ₱33.3K

$246 ₱15.0K

121.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$264 ₱16.1K

$213 ₱13.0K

23.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,423 ₱148.2K

$2,323 ₱142.1K

4.30%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$949 ₱58.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$186 ₱11.4K

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 San Fernando, La Union: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $346 in Baguio and $131 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $13.00 in Baguio vs $17.00 in San Fernando, La Union for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $217 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 San Fernando, La Union: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

San Fernando, La Union wins on cost – living expenses run 12% 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 $1,168 in Baguio and $1,043 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: $346 in Baguio versus $131 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Shoppers in Baguio pay roughly 6% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $779 per month in Baguio versus $695 in San Fernando, La Union – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 12% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.