Cost of Living Comparison Between Bataan and Baguio Cost of Living Comparison Between Bataan and Baguio

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $484 in Bataan versus $763 in Baguio.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $814 in Bataan versus $1,175 in Baguio.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,145 in Bataan versus $1,586 in Baguio.

Living in Bataan costs roughly 37% less than in Baguio, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bataan 65% lower, Baguio 45% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.32 ₱82.8

$3.95 ₱248

-66.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.47 ₱1,033

$16.48 ₱1,033

-0.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.79 ₱175

$2.88 ₱180

-3.12%

Cappuccino

$1.34 ₱83.9

$1.77 ₱111

-24.29%

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

$0.61 ₱38.05

$0.61 ₱37.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 ₱15.72

$0.32 ₱19.93

-21.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ₱63.7

$0.98 ₱61.2

4.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 ₱101

$1.56 ₱98.1

3.21%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.67 ₱105

$1.69 ₱106

-1.18%

White Bread (500g)

$1.16 ₱72.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 ₱61.2

$1.02 ₱63.9

-3.92%

Eggs

$1.73 ₱108

$2.07 ₱130

-16.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.22 ₱327

$5.15 ₱323

1.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.02 ₱189

$3.40 ₱213

-11.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.10 ₱508

$8.09 ₱507

0.12%

Apples (1kg)

$2.33 ₱146

$2.31 ₱145

0.87%

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 ₱98.1

Oranges (1kg)

$2.34 ₱147

$2.41 ₱151

-2.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 ₱64.2

$1.07 ₱66.9

-4.67%

Potato (1kg)

$1.76 ₱110

Onion (1kg)

$1.73 ₱109

$1.77 ₱111

-2.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₱41.73

$0.62 ₱38.90

8.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ₱30.99

$0.53 ₱33.24

-7.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.18 ₱137

$2.87 ₱180

-24.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.64 ₱542

$9.02 ₱565

-4.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 ₱60.7

$0.96 ₱60.1

1.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 ₱126

$2.10 ₱131

-4.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 ₱29.31

$0.25 ₱15.71

88.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.99 ₱814

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.82 ₱51.1

$0.84 ₱52.4

-2.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 ₱15.74

$0.25 ₱15.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₱116

$1.97 ₱123

-5.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 ₱63.9

$1.15 ₱72.2

-11.30%

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

$21.0K ₱1.3M

0.07%

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

$19.4K ₱1.2M

$19.6K ₱1.2M

-1.09%

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

$48.26 ₱3,025

$139 ₱8,708

-65.26%

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

$17.28 ₱1,083

$17.39 ₱1,090

-0.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.20 ₱1,454

$23.64 ₱1,482

-1.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.70 ₱1,674

$21.34 ₱1,338

25.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.20 ₱326

Cinema Ticket

$5.17 ₱324

$5.10 ₱320

1.37%

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

$67.3 ₱4,221

$134 ₱8,395

-49.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.6K ₱663.9K

$10.6K ₱662.1K

0.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.44 ₱1,846

$28.47 ₱1,785

3.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.91 ₱1,248

$19.81 ₱1,242

0.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.5 ₱4,421

$70.8 ₱4,438

-0.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.7 ₱3,492

$56.6 ₱3,547

-1.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$167 ₱10.5K

$411 ₱25.7K

-59.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$52.8 ₱3,310

$198 ₱12.4K

-73.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$280 ₱17.6K

$849 ₱53.2K

-66.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$183 ₱11.5K

$465 ₱29.1K

-60.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,662 ₱166.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$900 ₱56.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$392 ₱24.6K

$179 ₱11.3K

118.33%

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 Bataan: September 6, 2026

Last update for Baguio: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $167 in Bataan and $411 in Baguio. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bataan pays 118% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $16.00 in Bataan vs $16.00 in Baguio for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $173 vs $178 per month, with Bataan 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

Bataan vs Baguio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bataan wins on cost – living expenses run 58% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bataan the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 118% higher in Bataan, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $167 in Bataan versus $411 in Baguio. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Baguio. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $484 per month in Bataan versus $763 in Baguio – a 58% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Bataan 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, Bataan and Baguio 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 Bataan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 58% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.