Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Subic Bay Freeport Zone Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $766 in Baguio versus $658 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,168 in Baguio versus $1,006 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Baguio versus $1,353 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Living in Baguio is roughly 16% more expensive than in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 44% lower, Subic Bay Freeport Zone 52% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 ₱253

$4.75 ₱298

-15.16%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.53 ₱1,037

$14.45 ₱906

14.39%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.77 ₱174

$5.25 ₱329

-47.24%

Cappuccino

$1.84 ₱116

$2.20 ₱138

-16.36%

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

$0.60 ₱37.76

$0.60 ₱37.36

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ₱20.84

$0.31 ₱19.45

6.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱64.3

$1.47 ₱92.1

-29.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₱98.3

$2.02 ₱127

-22.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 ₱104

$1.60 ₱101

3.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 ₱72.2

$1.18 ₱74.0

-2.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱63.3

$1.06 ₱66.6

-4.72%

Eggs

$2.02 ₱127

$1.94 ₱122

4.12%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 ₱313

$4.57 ₱287

9.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 ₱218

$3.71 ₱233

-6.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱489

$6.39 ₱401

22.07%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 ₱145

$2.22 ₱139

4.05%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 ₱95.8

$1.56 ₱98.1

-1.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.30 ₱145

$2.65 ₱166

-13.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱65.1

$1.18 ₱74.2

-11.86%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 ₱104

$2.05 ₱128

-19.51%

Onion (1kg)

$1.77 ₱111

$2.16 ₱136

-18.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.75

$0.75 ₱47.27

-10.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₱32.90

$0.60 ₱37.78

-13.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.98 ₱187

$2.92 ₱183

2.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.49 ₱533

$8.02 ₱503

5.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ₱60.2

$0.97 ₱60.8

-1.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱128

$1.90 ₱119

7.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 ₱14.36

$0.20 ₱12.52

15.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.81 ₱803

$9.83 ₱616

30.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱50.9

$0.81 ₱50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₱118

$1.85 ₱116

1.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ₱75.0

$1.04 ₱65.2

15.38%

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

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$21.9K ₱1.4M

-1.86%

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

$19.1K ₱1.2M

$16.7K ₱1.0M

13.90%

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

$138 ₱8,659

$141 ₱8,852

-2.18%

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

$17.68 ₱1,109

$15.67 ₱983

12.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.45 ₱1,471

$16.38 ₱1,028

43.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.64 ₱1,357

$30.31 ₱1,901

-28.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.27 ₱331

$4.68 ₱293

12.61%

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ₱322

$5.09 ₱319

0.79%

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

$131 ₱8,230

$129 ₱8,063

2.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K ₱674.6K

$7,462 ₱468.0K

44.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.37 ₱1,842

$35.14 ₱2,204

-16.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.10 ₱1,198

$19.42 ₱1,218

-1.65%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.9 ₱4,569

$63.3 ₱3,972

15.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.0 ₱3,510

$50.8 ₱3,187

10.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 ₱25.0K

$128 ₱8,040

211.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 ₱12.5K

$78.6 ₱4,931

154.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 ₱53.5K

$327 ₱20.5K

160.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 ₱29.0K

$191 ₱12.0K

142.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,603 ₱163.3K

$2,625 ₱164.6K

-0.83%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$928 ₱58.2K

$913 ₱57.3K

1.67%

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 Subic Bay Freeport Zone: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $399 in Baguio and $128 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $17.00 in Baguio vs $14.00 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Groceries flip the comparison at $174 vs $174, 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 Subic Bay Freeport Zone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Subic Bay Freeport Zone wins on cost – living expenses run 16% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Subic Bay Freeport Zone the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $1,149 in Baguio and $988 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone 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 $128 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. 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 $658 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Subic Bay Freeport Zone runs roughly 30% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Subic Bay Freeport Zone 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 Subic Bay Freeport Zone 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 Subic Bay Freeport Zone gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.