For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $934 a month against $1,360 in Jeddah, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
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 Jeddah actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $934 in Cebu versus $1,360 in Jeddah.
Cebu $934
Jeddah $1,360
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,415 in Cebu versus $2,168 in Jeddah.
Cebu $1,415
Jeddah $2,168
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,896 in Cebu versus $2,975 in Jeddah.
Cebu $1,896
Jeddah $2,975
🌍
Living in Cebu costs roughly 31% less than in Jeddah, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.
📊
The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 30% below, Jeddah is 2% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.03₱190
$6.04SAR 22.68
-49.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.48₱1,473
$79.8SAR 300
-70.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.09₱256
$8.75SAR 32.85
-53.26%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.43SAR 9.11
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.63SAR 9.88
-
Cappuccino
$2.52₱158
$3.77SAR 14.16
-33.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54₱96.9
$0.97SAR 3.65
58.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49₱30.98
$0.24SAR 0.90
104.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79₱112
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26₱142
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.95₱122
$1.67SAR 6.28
16.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43₱89.7
$1.33SAR 4.99
7.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02₱63.8
$2.37SAR 8.89
-56.96%
Eggs
$2.06₱129
$2.48SAR 9.31
-16.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81₱615
$6.36SAR 23.89
54.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.61₱289
$8.00SAR 30.02
-42.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.70₱483
$13.31SAR 49.98
-42.15%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31₱207
$2.10SAR 7.90
57.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45₱90.9
$1.77SAR 6.63
-18.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.36₱148
$1.54SAR 5.80
53.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54₱96.4
$1.69SAR 6.36
-8.88%
Potato(1kg)
$2.36₱148
$1.13SAR 4.26
108.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99₱125
$1.29SAR 4.85
54.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.15₱72.1
$1.12SAR 4.22
2.68%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67₱42.15
$0.50SAR 1.87
34.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$4.23SAR 15.90
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.84SAR 6.92
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.58SAR 9.70
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00₱188
$6.86SAR 25.77
-56.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.35₱398
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31₱81.9
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73₱108
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.25₱15.78
$0.89SAR 3.35
-71.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.65₱793
$55.5SAR 208
-77.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74₱46.32
$3.11SAR 11.69
-76.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.21₱13.11
$1.77SAR 6.65
-88.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.33₱271
$14.12SAR 53.0
-69.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33₱83.5
$0.59SAR 2.21
125.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K₱1.4M
$47.7KSAR 179.0K
-54.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.4K₱1.2M
$21.4KSAR 80.4K
-9.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121₱7,563
$90.3SAR 339
33.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.45₱907
$39.04SAR 147
-62.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.29₱1,774
$67.9SAR 255
-58.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.68₱2,050
$79.6SAR 299
-58.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.39₱401
$38.23SAR 144
-83.29%
Cinema Ticket
$5.46₱342
$12.04SAR 45.22
-54.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$273₱17.1K
$757SAR 2,841
-63.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,156₱511.5K
$16.3KSAR 61.1K
-49.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.57₱3,109
$73.8SAR 277
-32.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.87₱1,560
$56.0SAR 210
-55.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.6₱4,804
$101SAR 380
-24.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.3₱3,717
$94.3SAR 354
-37.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506₱31.7K
$790SAR 2,966
-35.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$309₱19.4K
$535SAR 2,009
-42.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,052₱66.0K
$1,418SAR 5,323
-25.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$619₱38.8K
$817SAR 3,070
-24.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,915₱182.9K
$1,777SAR 6,673
64.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,867₱117.1K
$1,143SAR 4,291
63.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Jeddah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$341₱21.4K
$1,646SAR 6,180
-79.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.2
5.39
33.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cebu: October 5, 2026
Last update for Jeddah: October 4, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309 33.5%
Jeddah
$535 38.8% ↑ 72.9%$226
🛒Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$210 22.7%
Jeddah
$201 14.6% ↓ 4.7%$9.8
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$163 17.7%
Jeddah
$197 14.3% ↑ 20.8%$34
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$95 10.2%
Jeddah
$146 10.6% ↑ 54.7%$52
🍽Eating Out
Cebu
$88 9.6%
Jeddah
$125 9% ↑ 41.1%$36
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44 4.7%
Jeddah
$104 7.5% ↑ 138%$60
🚌Getting Around
Cebu
$15 1.7%
Jeddah
$71 5.2% ↑ 360%$56
🏠Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$619 32.4%
Jeddah
$817 28.1% ↑ 32.1%$198
🛒Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$493 25.8%
Jeddah
$491 16.9% ↓ 0.3%$1.3
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$178 9.3%
Jeddah
$236 8.1% ↑ 32.9%$59
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$210 11%
Jeddah
$325 11.2% ↑ 54.7%$115
🍽Eating Out
Cebu
$288 15.1%
Jeddah
$649 22.3% ↑ 125%$361
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$94 4.9%
Jeddah
$246 8.4% ↑ 163%$152
🚌Getting Around
Cebu
$31 1.6%
Jeddah
$144 4.9% ↑ 358%$112
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $506 in Cebu and $790 in Jeddah. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jeddah pays 383% 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: $23.00 in Cebu vs $80.0 in Jeddah. Groceries flip the comparison at $210 vs $201, with Jeddah cheaper for home cooking.
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 Jeddah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jeddah cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in clothing, eating out, and leisure. The 46% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Jeddah?
On paper, salaries run 383% lower in Jeddah. 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 Jeddah?
Rent for a central apartment: $506 in Cebu versus $790 in Jeddah. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Jeddah?
All in, you'll spend $934 per month in Cebu versus $1,360 in Jeddah – a 46% 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 338% less than in Jeddah. 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 Jeddah?
At $934 in Cebu versus $1,360 in Jeddah, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Jeddah. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Jeddah more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Jeddah, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Jeddah?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Jeddah 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 46% less than in Jeddah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.