Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Khoy

For one person, living is cheaper in Khoy: $349 a month against $918 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $6,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Khoy
🇮🇷 Iran
$349
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Khoy

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $349 in Khoy.

  • Cebu $918
  • Khoy $349

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $713 in Khoy.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Khoy $713

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $1,078 in Khoy.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Khoy $1,078

Living in Cebu is roughly 163% more expensive than in Khoy, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cebu 32% lower, Khoy 74% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$1.83 $1.83
68.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$16.03 $16.03
51.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$4.38 $4.38
-10.50%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.68 $0.68
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.11 $1.11
-
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$1.09 $1.09
130.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$0.48 $0.48
231.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$0.96 $0.96
-44.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$0.64 $0.64
200.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$0.49 $0.49
177.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$2.08 $2.08
-51.44%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$1.23 $1.23
65.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$4.50 $4.50
119.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$3.45 $3.45
27.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$10.03 $10.03
-24.23%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$1.01 $1.01
226.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$1.41 $1.41
-1.42%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$1.12 $1.12
108.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$0.63 $0.63
138.10%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$0.55 $0.55
329.09%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$0.61 $0.61
211.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$0.54 $0.54
120.37%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$0.27 $0.27
133.33%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.81 $0.81
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.54 $0.54
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.51 $1.51
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$2.46 $2.46
21.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$0.14 $0.14
78.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$9.53 $9.53
32.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$0.35 $0.35
120.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$0.32 $0.32
-28.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$2.74 $2.74
62.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$0.10 $0.10
1210.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$50.8K $50.8K
-58.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$43.7K $43.7K
-56.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$13.17 $13.17
812.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$2.15 $2.15
551.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$3.73 $3.73
638.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$18.35 $18.35
76.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$14.29 $14.29
-53.46%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$1.99 $1.99
183.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$94.6 $94.6
190.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$2,250 $2,250
251.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$22.83 $22.83
116.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$28.20 $28.20
-10.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$85.8 $85.8
-10.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$27.23 $27.23
110.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$92.0 $92.0
442.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$60.2 $60.2
412.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$801 $801
34.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$358 $358
71.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$1,154 $1,154
150.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$527 $527
263.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Khoy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$213 $213
62.77%
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 12, 2026

Last update for Khoy: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Khoy
$60 80.5% $249
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Khoy
$115 44.2% $91
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Khoy
$19 88.2% $143
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Khoy
$74 21.4% $20
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Khoy
$47 47.2% $42
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Khoy
$22 48.8% $21
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Khoy
$12 22.6% $3.5

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $92.0 in Khoy. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Cebu pays 63% 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 $16.00 in Khoy for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $115 per month, with Khoy cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇮🇷 Khoy
🕒 Local time
20:13 8:13 PM
15:43 3:43 PM
4 h 30 min behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
198,845
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

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).

USD exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Khoy 8,340 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Khoy

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 Khoy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khoy cheaper than Cebu?
Khoy is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 163% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Khoy?
Average pay runs 63% higher in Cebu, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Cebu and Khoy?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $92.0 in Khoy. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Khoy?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $349 in Khoy – a 163% 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 Khoy runs roughly 33% less than in Cebu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,200 enough for either Cebu or Khoy?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Khoy gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Cebu or Khoy more family-friendly?
For families, Khoy 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 Khoy?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Khoy 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 Khoy gentler on the wallet – expenses run 163% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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