Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Kongsberg

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $2,648 in Kongsberg, rent and utilities included – about $20,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Kongsberg
🇳🇴 Norway
$2,648
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Kongsberg

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $2,648 in Kongsberg.

  • Cebu $918
  • Kongsberg $2,648

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $3,866 in Kongsberg.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Kongsberg $3,866

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $5,085 in Kongsberg.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Kongsberg $5,085

Living in Cebu costs roughly 65% less than in Kongsberg, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Kongsberg is 96% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱195
$21.26 NOK 200
-85.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$73.1 NOK 688
-66.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$15.39 NOK 145
-74.53%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$5.13 NOK 48.33
-51.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$4.17 NOK 39.27
-61.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.45
$3.25 NOK 30.64
-83.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$11.91 NOK 112
-85.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$10.49 NOK 98.7
-79.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$2.49 NOK 23.43
-22.89%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.5
$3.19 NOK 30.04
-57.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.6
$4.53 NOK 42.67
-77.70%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$4.92 NOK 46.31
-58.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$10.64 NOK 100
-7.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$12.25 NOK 115
-64.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$18.90 NOK 178
-59.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$3.20 NOK 30.12
3.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$2.66 NOK 24.99
-47.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$3.43 NOK 32.29
-32.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$4.86 NOK 45.77
-69.14%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$2.66 NOK 25.02
-11.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$2.54 NOK 23.90
-25.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$3.04 NOK 28.58
-60.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.73
$2.38 NOK 22.42
-73.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$17.65 NOK 166
-83.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱380
$15.91 NOK 150
-62.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$3.42 NOK 32.22
-64.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$3.79 NOK 35.66
-53.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.87
$2.96 NOK 27.86
-91.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$91.8 NOK 864
-86.23%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.64
$12.13 NOK 114
-93.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.54
$1.87 NOK 17.64
-87.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$30.95 NOK 291
-85.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$2.35 NOK 22.14
-44.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$47.3K NOK 445.0K
-55.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$45.0K NOK 423.5K
-57.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,573
$312 NOK 2,937
-61.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$27.86 NOK 262
-49.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,735
$52.5 NOK 494
-47.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,036
$46.78 NOK 440
-30.89%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$56.1 NOK 528
-88.14%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$19.74 NOK 186
-71.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$237 NOK 2,228
16.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.8K
$3,828 NOK 36.0K
106.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,107
$90.3 NOK 850
-45.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,590
$54.7 NOK 515
-53.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,848
$133 NOK 1,254
-42.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,603
$158 NOK 1,485
-63.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$1,075 NOK 10.1K
-53.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.5K
$1,035 NOK 9,746
-70.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$1,988 NOK 18.7K
-45.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.8K
$1,647 NOK 15.5K
-62.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.8K
$6,070 NOK 57.1K
-52.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$4,101 NOK 38.6K
-53.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Kongsberg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$3,491 NOK 32.9K
-90.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
4.94
45.75%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Kongsberg: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Kongsberg
$1K 235% $726
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Kongsberg
$425 106% $219
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Kongsberg
$392 143% $231
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Kongsberg
$196 109% $102
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Kongsberg
$388 340% $300
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Kongsberg
$86 97.7% $43
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Kongsberg
$125 704% $110

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $1,075 in Kongsberg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kongsberg pays 909% 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 $73.0 in Kongsberg for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $425 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇳🇴 Kongsberg
🕒 Local time
00:32 12:32 AM
18:32 6:32 PM
6 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
28,878
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

NOK, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 62.99 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.82 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Norwegian Krone exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 9.41 NOK (1 NOK = 0.106 USD). 1 EUR = 10.58 NOK (100 NOK = 9.45 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Kongsberg 10,330 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Kongsberg

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 Kongsberg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kongsberg cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 189% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Kongsberg?
On paper, salaries run 909% lower in Kongsberg. 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 Kongsberg?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $1,075 in Kongsberg. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Kongsberg?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $2,648 in Kongsberg – a 189% 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 626% less than in Kongsberg. 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 Kongsberg?
At $918 in Cebu versus $2,648 in Kongsberg, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Kongsberg. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Kongsberg more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Kongsberg, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Kongsberg?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Kongsberg 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 189% less than in Kongsberg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Cebu vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?