Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Surigao Cost of Living Comparison Between Baguio and Surigao

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $766 in Baguio versus $725 in Surigao.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,168 in Baguio versus $1,116 in Surigao.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Baguio versus $1,507 in Surigao.

Living in Baguio is roughly 6% more expensive than in Surigao, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baguio 44% lower, Surigao 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 ₱253

$3.65 ₱229

10.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.53 ₱1,036

$18.21 ₱1,141

-9.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.77 ₱174

$2.83 ₱177

-2.12%

Cappuccino

$1.84 ₱116

$1.94 ₱122

-5.15%

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

$0.60 ₱37.72

$0.62 ₱38.64

-3.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ₱20.82

$0.36 ₱22.81

-8.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱64.2

$1.17 ₱73.3

-11.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₱98.2

$1.70 ₱107

-7.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 ₱104

$1.69 ₱106

-1.78%

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 ₱72.1

$1.16 ₱72.4

-0.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱63.3

$0.96 ₱59.9

5.21%

Eggs

$2.02 ₱127

$1.88 ₱118

7.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 ₱312

$5.17 ₱324

-3.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.47 ₱218

$4.23 ₱265

-17.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱489

$7.16 ₱449

8.94%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 ₱144

$2.39 ₱150

-3.35%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 ₱95.7

$1.61 ₱101

-4.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.30 ₱144

$2.03 ₱127

13.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱65.1

$1.29 ₱81.1

-19.38%

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 ₱104

$2.15 ₱135

-23.26%

Onion (1kg)

$1.77 ₱111

$2.16 ₱135

-18.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.71

$0.75 ₱47.10

-10.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₱32.87

$0.49 ₱30.69

6.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.98 ₱187

$2.89 ₱181

3.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.49 ₱532

$8.96 ₱561

-5.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ₱60.1

$0.81 ₱50.9

18.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱128

$1.69 ₱106

20.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 ₱14.35

$0.25 ₱15.51

-8.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.81 ₱803

$9.46 ₱593

35.41%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱50.9

$0.73 ₱46.02

10.96%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.36

$0.26 ₱16.39

-11.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₱118

$1.94 ₱121

-3.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ₱75.0

$1.19 ₱74.8

0.84%

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

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$20.5K ₱1.3M

5.01%

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

$19.1K ₱1.2M

$18.6K ₱1.2M

2.48%

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

$138 ₱8,651

$120 ₱7,514

15.15%

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

$17.68 ₱1,108

$13.92 ₱872

27.01%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.45 ₱1,470

$34.49 ₱2,162

-32.01%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.64 ₱1,356

$34.00 ₱2,130

-36.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.27 ₱330

$5.24 ₱329

0.57%

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 ₱321

$5.38 ₱337

-4.65%

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

$131 ₱8,223

$115 ₱7,234

13.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K ₱674.0K

$9,128 ₱572.0K

17.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.37 ₱1,840

$33.87 ₱2,122

-13.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.10 ₱1,197

$21.55 ₱1,350

-11.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.9 ₱4,565

$77.7 ₱4,872

-6.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.0 ₱3,507

$54.5 ₱3,418

2.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$399 ₱25.0K

$270 ₱16.9K

47.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$200 ₱12.5K

$171 ₱10.7K

16.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 ₱53.5K

$518 ₱32.5K

64.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 ₱29.0K

$316 ₱19.8K

46.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,603 ₱163.1K

$2,613 ₱163.8K

-0.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$928 ₱58.2K

$1,179 ₱73.9K

-21.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$179 ₱11.2K

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 Surigao: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $399 in Baguio and $270 in Surigao. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $17.00 in Baguio vs $18.00 in Surigao for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $174 vs $179 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 Surigao: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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

You'd need roughly $1,149 in Baguio and $1,087 in Surigao 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 $270 in Surigao. 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 $725 in Surigao – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Surigao runs roughly 35% 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 Surigao 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 Surigao 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 Surigao 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.