Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Ashkelon

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $2,394 in Ashkelon, rent and utilities included – about $17,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Ashkelon
🇮🇱 Israel
$2,394
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Ashkelon

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cebu and in Ashkelon actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $2,394 in Ashkelon.

  • Cebu $918
  • Ashkelon $2,394

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $3,551 in Ashkelon.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Ashkelon $3,551

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $4,708 in Ashkelon.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Ashkelon $4,708

Living in Cebu costs roughly 62% less than in Ashkelon, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Ashkelon is 77% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$23.07 ₪71.4
-86.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,524
$81.0 ₪251
-70.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱246
$17.60 ₪54.4
-77.73%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$4.58 ₪14.17
-45.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$3.26 ₪10.10
-51.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.42
$2.80 ₪8.66
-81.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$12.10 ₪37.42
-85.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$7.69 ₪23.79
-71.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$2.35 ₪7.27
-18.30%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$2.68 ₪8.29
-49.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$3.01 ₪9.30
-66.45%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$4.57 ₪14.13
-55.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$21.56 ₪66.7
-54.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱276
$12.94 ₪40.03
-66.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱478
$25.38 ₪78.5
-70.06%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$4.13 ₪12.78
-20.10%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.7
$3.18 ₪9.85
-56.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$2.27 ₪7.01
2.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.2
$3.22 ₪9.98
-53.42%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$1.60 ₪4.96
47.50%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$1.99 ₪6.17
-4.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$2.66 ₪8.23
-55.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.69
$0.94 ₪2.91
-32.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$13.77 ₪42.59
-78.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$11.65 ₪36.02
-48.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.6
$2.58 ₪7.98
-52.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$1.97 ₪6.08
-11.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.85
$2.53 ₪7.84
-90.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱795
$44.33 ₪137
-71.49%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.59
$11.17 ₪34.56
-93.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.52
$1.67 ₪5.17
-86.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱280
$39.23 ₪121
-88.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$2.64 ₪8.15
-50.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$57.8K ₪178.7K
-63.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$56.8K ₪175.7K
-66.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,566
$214 ₪663
-43.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱881
$11.73 ₪36.29
19.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,733
$41.41 ₪128
-33.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,034
$45.93 ₪142
-29.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱418
$32.25 ₪99.8
-79.38%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱355
$16.56 ₪51.2
-65.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$1,220 ₪3,775
-77.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,105
$107 ₪332
-53.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$75.6 ₪234
-66.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,844
$113 ₪350
-31.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,600
$146 ₪450
-60.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.4K
$1,144 ₪3,539
-56.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$961 ₪2,972
-67.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.8K
$1,798 ₪5,563
-40.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$1,470 ₪4,549
-58.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.6K
$5,741 ₪17.8K
-49.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.6K
$5,602 ₪17.3K
-65.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Ashkelon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$2,977 ₪9,210
-88.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
4.98
44.58%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Ashkelon: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Ashkelon
$961 211% $652
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Ashkelon
$422 105% $216
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Ashkelon
$267 65.3% $106
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Ashkelon
$199 112% $105
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Ashkelon
$392 345% $304
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Ashkelon
$79 81.2% $35
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Ashkelon
$74 375% $58

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $1,144 in Ashkelon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Ashkelon pays 761% 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: $24.00 in Cebu vs $81.0 in Ashkelon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $422 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇮🇱 Ashkelon
🕒 Local time
18:28 6:28 PM
13:28 1:28 PM
5 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
152,439
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ILS, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 62.93 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.76 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Israeli New Shekel exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 3.09 ILS (1 ILS = 0.323 USD). 1 EUR = 3.48 ILS (1 ILS = 0.288 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Ashkelon 9,350 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Ashkelon

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Cebu vs Ashkelon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Cebu or Ashkelon?
Cebu wins on cost – living expenses run 161% lower than in Ashkelon. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Cebu the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Cebu or in Ashkelon?
On paper, salaries run 761% lower in Ashkelon. 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 Cebu compared to Ashkelon?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $1,144 in Ashkelon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Cebu and in Ashkelon?
Dining out is cheaper in Cebu – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $81.0 in Ashkelon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Cebu compared to Ashkelon?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $2,394 in Ashkelon – a 161% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Cebu or in Ashkelon?
At $918 in Cebu versus $2,394 in Ashkelon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Ashkelon. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Cebu or Ashkelon?
Both work as nomad bases, but Cebu delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $918 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Cebu hard to pass up.
How safe is Cebu compared to Ashkelon?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Ashkelon 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 Cebu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 161% less than in Ashkelon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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