Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and San Fernando Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and San Fernando

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $766 in Baguio versus $700 in San Fernando.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,168 in Baguio versus $1,045 in San Fernando.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Baguio versus $1,391 in San Fernando.

Living in Baguio is roughly 9% more expensive than in San Fernando, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 44% lower, San Fernando 49% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 ₱253

$3.88 ₱244

3.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.53 ₱1,039

$16.54 ₱1,039

-0.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.77 ₱174

$2.88 ₱181

-3.82%

Cappuccino

$1.84 ₱116

$1.85 ₱116

-0.54%

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

$0.60 ₱37.82

$0.39 ₱24.32

53.85%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ₱20.87

$0.31 ₱19.29

6.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱64.4

$1.02 ₱64.3

0.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₱98.5

$1.30 ₱82.0

20.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 ₱105

$1.66 ₱104

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 ₱72.3

$1.16 ₱73.0

-0.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱63.4

$0.91 ₱56.9

10.99%

Eggs

$2.02 ₱127

$1.98 ₱125

2.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 ₱313

$5.22 ₱328

-4.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 ₱218

$3.45 ₱217

0.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱490

$7.78 ₱489

0.26%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 ₱145

$2.29 ₱144

0.87%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 ₱96.0

$1.29 ₱81.3

18.60%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.30 ₱145

$2.34 ₱147

-1.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱65.3

$1.07 ₱67.4

-2.80%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 ₱104

$1.68 ₱106

-1.79%

Onion (1kg)

$1.77 ₱111

$1.60 ₱101

10.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.82

$0.67 ₱41.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₱32.95

$0.53 ₱33.30

-1.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.98 ₱187

$2.88 ₱181

3.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.49 ₱534

$8.82 ₱554

-3.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ₱60.3

$0.90 ₱56.4

6.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱128

$1.29 ₱81.3

58.14%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 ₱14.39

$0.27 ₱16.68

-14.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.81 ₱805

$11.28 ₱709

13.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱51.0

$0.66 ₱41.65

22.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.39

$0.23 ₱14.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₱118

$0.94 ₱58.9

100.00%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ₱75.2

$0.98 ₱61.8

22.45%

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

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$21.0K ₱1.3M

2.12%

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

$19.1K ₱1.2M

$19.3K ₱1.2M

-1.04%

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

$138 ₱8,673

$143 ₱8,972

-3.32%

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

$17.68 ₱1,111

$17.75 ₱1,115

-0.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.45 ₱1,473

$23.63 ₱1,485

-0.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.64 ₱1,359

$31.58 ₱1,984

-31.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.27 ₱331

$4.85 ₱305

8.66%

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ₱322

$4.91 ₱308

4.48%

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

$131 ₱8,244

$78.2 ₱4,910

67.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K ₱675.8K

$1,130 ₱71.0K

851.59%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.37 ₱1,845

$19.26 ₱1,210

52.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.10 ₱1,200

$15.83 ₱994

20.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.9 ₱4,577

$31.40 ₱1,973

132.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.0 ₱3,516

$47.12 ₱2,960

18.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 ₱25.1K

$264 ₱16.6K

51.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 ₱12.6K

$172 ₱10.8K

16.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 ₱53.6K

$495 ₱31.1K

72.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 ₱29.1K

$353 ₱22.2K

30.94%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,603 ₱163.5K

$2,815 ₱176.8K

-7.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$928 ₱58.3K

$1,052 ₱66.1K

-11.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$179 ₱11.3K

$334 ₱21.0K

-46.24%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.75

12.50%

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: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $399 in Baguio and $264 in San Fernando. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

San Fernando pays 86% 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 San Fernando. Groceries flip the comparison at $174 vs $172, with San Fernando 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: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

San Fernando wins on cost – living expenses run 9% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Fernando the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 86% lower in San Fernando. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $399 in Baguio versus $264 in San Fernando. 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 $700 in San Fernando – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in San Fernando runs roughly 14% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though San Fernando 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 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 gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.