Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Eskilstuna

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $1,748 in Eskilstuna, rent and utilities included – about $10,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Eskilstuna
🇸🇪 Sweden
$1,748
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Eskilstuna

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $1,748 in Eskilstuna.

  • Cebu $918
  • Eskilstuna $1,748

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $2,674 in Eskilstuna.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Eskilstuna $2,674

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $3,600 in Eskilstuna.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Eskilstuna $3,600

Living in Cebu costs roughly 48% less than in Eskilstuna, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Eskilstuna is 30% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$13.55 SEK 134
-77.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$63.9 SEK 633
-62.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$10.22 SEK 101
-61.64%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$4.29 SEK 42.52
-41.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$2.58 SEK 25.55
-38.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$2.21 SEK 21.94
-76.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$4.90 SEK 48.55
-63.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$5.00 SEK 49.54
-56.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$1.43 SEK 14.20
34.27%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$3.15 SEK 31.18
-56.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$3.41 SEK 33.81
-70.38%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$3.93 SEK 38.94
-48.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$13.32 SEK 132
-25.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$12.27 SEK 122
-64.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$12.74 SEK 126
-40.35%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$3.23 SEK 32.01
2.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$2.68 SEK 26.55
-48.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$2.53 SEK 25.11
-7.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$3.72 SEK 36.88
-59.68%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$1.41 SEK 13.96
67.38%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$1.79 SEK 17.72
6.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$3.05 SEK 30.24
-60.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$1.72 SEK 17.07
-63.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$6.88 SEK 68.2
-56.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$7.80 SEK 77.2
-22.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$1.96 SEK 19.42
-37.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$2.20 SEK 21.82
-20.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$3.23 SEK 32.02
-92.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$66.9 SEK 663
-81.10%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$12.72 SEK 126
-93.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$2.05 SEK 20.27
-88.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$78.2 SEK 775
-94.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$1.73 SEK 17.16
-24.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$31.4K SEK 311.5K
-32.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$32.5K SEK 321.7K
-41.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$177 SEK 1,751
-31.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$28.43 SEK 282
-50.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$38.00 SEK 377
-27.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$24.49 SEK 243
32.01%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$25.82 SEK 256
-74.24%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$10.84 SEK 107
-47.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$148 SEK 1,468
85.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$5,008 SEK 49.6K
58.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$98.2 SEK 973
-49.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$29.44 SEK 292
-14.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$89.7 SEK 889
-14.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$148 SEK 1,465
-61.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$791 SEK 7,840
-36.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$602 SEK 5,961
-48.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$1,150 SEK 11.4K
-6.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$1,029 SEK 10.2K
-40.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$4,052 SEK 40.2K
-28.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$2,775 SEK 27.5K
-30.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Eskilstuna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$4,169 SEK 41.3K
-91.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
2.8
157.14%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Eskilstuna: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Eskilstuna
$602 94.8% $293
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Eskilstuna
$346 68.1% $140
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Eskilstuna
$243 50.3% $81
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Eskilstuna
$164 74.9% $70
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Eskilstuna
$244 177% $156
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Eskilstuna
$46 5.8% $2.6
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Eskilstuna
$103 560% $87

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $791 in Eskilstuna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Eskilstuna pays 1105% 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 $64.0 in Eskilstuna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $346 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇸🇪 Eskilstuna
🕒 Local time
18:15 6:15 PM
12:15 12:15 PM
6 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
67,359
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

SEK, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 9.91 SEK (1 SEK = 0.101 USD). 1 EUR = 11.14 SEK (100 SEK = 8.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Eskilstuna 9,980 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Eskilstuna

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 Eskilstuna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eskilstuna cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 90% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Eskilstuna?
On paper, salaries run 1105% lower in Eskilstuna. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Cebu and Eskilstuna?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $791 in Eskilstuna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Eskilstuna?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $1,748 in Eskilstuna – a 90% 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 Cebu runs roughly 429% less than in Eskilstuna. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cebu or in Eskilstuna?
At $918 in Cebu versus $1,748 in Eskilstuna, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Eskilstuna. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Eskilstuna more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Eskilstuna, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Eskilstuna?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Eskilstuna 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 Cebu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 90% less than in Eskilstuna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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