Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Behbahan

For one person, living is cheaper in Behbahan: $527 a month against $915 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $4,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$915
/mo nomad
Behbahan
🇮🇷 Iran
$527
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Behbahan

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 Behbahan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $915 in Cebu versus $527 in Behbahan.

  • Cebu $915
  • Behbahan $527

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,418 in Cebu versus $822 in Behbahan.

  • Cebu $1,418
  • Behbahan $822

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,921 in Cebu versus $1,117 in Behbahan.

  • Cebu $1,921
  • Behbahan $1,117

Living in Cebu is roughly 74% more expensive than in Behbahan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cebu 33% lower, Behbahan 61% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.05 ₱192
$4.48 $4.48
-31.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.00 ₱1,511
$12.87 $12.87
86.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.99 ₱251
$4.07 $4.07
-1.97%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.03 $1.03
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.72 $1.72
-
Cappuccino
$2.50 ₱157
$1.17 $1.17
113.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₱97.1
$0.62 $0.62
148.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₱31.37
$1.02 $1.02
-50.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱136
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.00 ₱126
$0.71 $0.71
181.69%
White Bread (500g)
$1.37 ₱86.2
$0.41 $0.41
234.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.03 ₱64.9
$1.98 $1.98
-47.98%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$1.22 $1.22
66.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.20 ₱642
$2.21 $2.21
361.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.45 ₱280
$2.24 $2.24
98.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.67 ₱483
$9.83 $9.83
-21.97%
Apples (1kg)
$3.31 ₱208
$1.10 $1.10
200.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 ₱91.8
$1.55 $1.55
-5.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.32 ₱146
$0.88 $0.88
163.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 ₱94.0
$0.60 $0.60
148.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.34 ₱147
$0.59 $0.59
296.61%
Onion (1kg)
$1.94 ₱122
$0.56 $0.56
246.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.16 ₱73.0
$0.47 $0.47
146.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 ₱42.89
$0.18 $0.18
277.78%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.86 $0.86
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.61 $0.61
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.68 $1.68
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.99 ₱188
$2.93 $2.93
2.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.24 ₱393
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.3
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 ₱109
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₱14.36
$0.17 $0.17
35.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.34 ₱777
$9.49 $9.49
30.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.79 ₱49.96
$0.38 $0.38
107.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.86
$0.20 $0.20
10.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.54 ₱286
$3.58 $3.58
26.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 ₱82.9
$0.09 $0.09
1366.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ₱1.3M
$65.3K $65.3K
-67.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.4K ₱1.2M
$53.0K $53.0K
-63.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$119 ₱7,464
$23.68 $23.68
400.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.22 ₱896
$2.06 $2.06
590.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.47 ₱1,730
$3.71 $3.71
640.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.31 ₱2,034
$18.50 $18.50
74.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.50 ₱409
$13.37 $13.37
-51.38%
Cinema Ticket
$5.40 ₱340
$1.97 $1.97
174.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$276 ₱17.4K
$105 $105
162.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,866 ₱495.3K
$2,378 $2,378
230.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.37 ₱3,108
$22.94 $22.94
115.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.58 ₱1,548
$18.29 $18.29
34.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.6 ₱4,825
$96.8 $96.8
-20.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.9 ₱3,706
$53.9 $53.9
9.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$503 ₱31.7K
$290 $290
73.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$305 ₱19.2K
$209 $209
45.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,075 ₱67.7K
$805 $805
33.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$632 ₱39.8K
$362 $362
74.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,870 ₱180.7K
$1,163 $1,163
146.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,877 ₱118.2K
$540 $540
247.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Behbahan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$336 ₱21.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
24.3
-70.37%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 19, 2026

Last update for Behbahan: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$305
Behbahan
$209 31.5% $96
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$210
Behbahan
$100 52.5% $110
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$160
Behbahan
$29 81.6% $131
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Behbahan
$86 8.4% $7.9
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Behbahan
$69 21.8% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$43
Behbahan
$22 47.9% $21
Getting Around
Cebu
$15
Behbahan
$12 23.6% $3.6

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $503 in Cebu and $290 in Behbahan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $24.00 in Cebu vs $13.00 in Behbahan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $100 per month, with Behbahan cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇮🇷 Behbahan
🕒 Local time
05:07 5:07 AM
00:37 12:37 AM
4 h 30 min behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
122,604
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Behbahan 7,870 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Behbahan

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 Behbahan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Behbahan cheaper than Cebu?
Behbahan is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 74% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,372 in Cebu and $790 in Behbahan 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.
What is the rent difference between Cebu and Behbahan?
Rent for a central apartment: $503 in Cebu versus $290 in Behbahan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Behbahan?
All in, you'll spend $915 per month in Cebu versus $527 in Behbahan – a 74% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Behbahan runs roughly 30% less than in Cebu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 enough for either Cebu or Behbahan?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Behbahan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Cebu or Behbahan more family-friendly?
For families, Behbahan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cebu, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Behbahan?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Behbahan 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Behbahan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 74% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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