Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Leeuwarden

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $2,569 in Leeuwarden, rent and utilities included – about $19,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Leeuwarden
🇳🇱 Netherlands
$2,569
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Leeuwarden

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $2,569 in Leeuwarden.

  • Cebu $918
  • Leeuwarden $2,569

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $3,793 in Leeuwarden.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Leeuwarden $3,793

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $5,018 in Leeuwarden.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Leeuwarden $5,018

Living in Cebu costs roughly 64% less than in Leeuwarden, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Leeuwarden is 90% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$21.90 €19.48
-85.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$113 €101
-78.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$15.35 €13.66
-74.46%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$3.85 €3.42
-34.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$3.64 €3.24
-56.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$2.93 €2.61
-81.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$6.73 €5.99
-73.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$5.24 €4.66
-58.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$1.17 €1.04
64.10%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$1.86 €1.65
-26.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$2.42 €2.16
-58.26%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$4.26 €3.79
-52.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$12.58 €11.19
-21.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$14.26 €12.69
-69.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$15.76 €14.02
-51.78%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$2.29 €2.04
44.10%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$2.48 €2.20
-43.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$1.91 €1.70
21.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$5.12 €4.55
-70.70%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$1.76 €1.57
34.09%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$1.91 €1.69
-0.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$1.17 €1.04
1.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$0.97 €0.86
-35.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$13.98 €12.44
-78.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$7.20 €6.40
-16.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$1.85 €1.65
-33.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$1.73 €1.54
1.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$3.40 €3.02
-92.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$129 €114
-90.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$8.81 €7.83
-91.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$3.83 €3.41
-93.99%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$49.76 €44.27
-91.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$2.45 €2.18
-46.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$41.7K €37.1K
-49.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$39.2K €34.9K
-51.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$365 €325
-67.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$43.62 €38.80
-67.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$45.88 €40.81
-39.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$37.11 €33.01
-12.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$18.37 €16.34
-63.80%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$16.79 €14.93
-66.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$1,330 €1,183
-79.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$22.7K €20.2K
-65.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$114 €101
-56.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$39.36 €35.01
-35.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$129 €115
-40.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$135 €120
-57.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$1,380 €1,228
-63.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$1,022 €909
-69.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$3,779 €3,361
-71.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$1,582 €1,407
-61.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$3,620 €3,220
-20.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$3,276 €2,914
-41.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Leeuwarden
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$3,004 €2,672
-88.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
4.38
64.38%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Leeuwarden: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Leeuwarden
$1K 231% $713
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Leeuwarden
$325 58.1% $120
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Leeuwarden
$455 181% $293
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Leeuwarden
$188 99.7% $94
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Leeuwarden
$338 283% $250
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Leeuwarden
$71 62% $27
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Leeuwarden
$170 993% $155

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $1,380 in Leeuwarden. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Leeuwarden pays 768% 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 $113 in Leeuwarden for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $325 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇳🇱 Leeuwarden
🕒 Local time
17:43 5:43 PM
11:43 11:43 AM
6 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
91,992
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR, USD to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Euro exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Leeuwarden 10,870 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Leeuwarden

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 Leeuwarden: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leeuwarden cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 180% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Leeuwarden?
On paper, salaries run 768% lower in Leeuwarden. 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 Leeuwarden?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $1,380 in Leeuwarden. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Leeuwarden?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $2,569 in Leeuwarden – a 180% 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 918% less than in Leeuwarden. 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 Leeuwarden?
At $918 in Cebu versus $2,569 in Leeuwarden, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Leeuwarden. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Leeuwarden more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Leeuwarden, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Leeuwarden?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Leeuwarden 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 180% less than in Leeuwarden. 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?