🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $710 in Calbayog versus $766 in Baguio.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,078 in Calbayog versus $1,168 in Baguio.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,446 in Calbayog versus $1,570 in Baguio.
🌍Living in Calbayog costs roughly 7% less than in Baguio, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Calbayog48% lower, Baguio44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.76₱236
$4.03₱253
-6.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.77₱1,052
$16.53₱1,037
1.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.97₱186
$2.77₱174
7.22%
Cappuccino
$2.32₱146
$1.84₱116
26.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64₱40.29
$0.60₱37.76
6.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37₱22.93
$0.33₱20.84
12.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.15₱71.9
$1.03₱64.3
11.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88₱118
$1.57₱98.3
19.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48₱93.0
$1.66₱104
-10.84%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25₱78.2
$1.15₱72.2
8.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.90₱56.4
$1.01₱63.3
-10.89%
Eggs
$2.08₱131
$2.02₱127
2.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.07₱381
$4.99₱313
21.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.14₱260
$3.47₱218
19.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.13₱447
$7.80₱489
-8.59%
Apples(1kg)
$2.01₱126
$2.31₱145
-12.99%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46₱91.3
$1.53₱95.8
-4.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.43₱152
$2.30₱145
5.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.13₱70.8
$1.04₱65.1
8.65%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00₱126
$1.65₱104
21.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21₱138
$1.77₱111
24.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71₱44.84
$0.67₱41.75
5.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59₱36.89
$0.52₱32.90
13.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64₱166
$2.98₱187
-11.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.51₱534
$8.49₱533
0.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94₱59.2
$0.96₱60.2
-2.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95₱123
$2.04₱128
-4.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23₱14.66
$0.23₱14.36
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.38₱776
$12.81₱803
-3.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.68₱42.78
$0.81₱50.9
-16.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27₱17.25
$0.23₱14.37
17.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.80₱113
$1.88₱118
-4.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01₱63.3
$1.20₱75.0
-15.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.4K₱1.5M
$21.5K₱1.3M
9.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.4K₱1.2M
$19.1K₱1.2M
-3.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117₱7,309
$138₱8,659
-15.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.60₱978
$17.68₱1,109
-11.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.37₱1,528
$23.45₱1,471
3.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.48₱2,037
$21.64₱1,357
50.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.89₱307
$5.27₱331
-7.21%
Cinema Ticket
$4.65₱292
$5.13₱322
-9.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$136₱8,543
$131₱8,230
3.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,601₱539.4K
$10.8K₱674.6K
-20.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.91₱1,751
$29.37₱1,842
-4.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.08₱1,072
$19.10₱1,198
-10.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.8₱4,629
$72.9₱4,569
1.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.5₱3,981
$56.0₱3,510
13.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$273₱17.1K
$399₱25.0K
-31.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$160₱10.0K
$200₱12.5K
-19.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$517₱32.4K
$853₱53.5K
-39.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381₱23.9K
$463₱29.0K
-17.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,944₱184.7K
$2,603₱163.3K
13.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$962₱60.3K
$928₱58.2K
3.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calbayog
Baguio
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$153₱9,617
$179₱11.3K
-14.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.75
6.75
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calbayog: September 14, 2026
Last update for Baguio: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $273 in Calbayog and $399 in Baguio. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Baguio pays 17% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $17.00 in Calbayog vs $17.00 in Baguio. Groceries flip the comparison at $180 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
Calbayog vs Baguio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Calbayog or Baguio?
Calbayog wins on cost – living expenses run 8% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Calbayog the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Calbayog or in Baguio?
On paper, salaries run 17% lower in Baguio. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Calbayog compared to Baguio?
Rent for a central apartment: $273 in Calbayog versus $399 in Baguio. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Calbayog compared to Baguio?
All in, you'll spend $710 per month in Calbayog versus $766 in Baguio – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Calbayog compared to Baguio?
A monthly transit pass in Calbayog runs roughly 3% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Calbayog or in Baguio?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Calbayog gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Calbayog or Baguio?
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.
How safe is Calbayog compared to Baguio?
Safety-wise, Calbayog 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Calbayog gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.