Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Safi

For one person, living is cheaper in Safi: $585 a month against $918 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $4,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Safi
🇲🇦 Morocco
$585
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Safi

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $585 in Safi.

  • Cebu $918
  • Safi $585

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $917 in Safi.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Safi $917

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $1,250 in Safi.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Safi $1,250

Living in Cebu is roughly 57% more expensive than in Safi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cebu 32% lower, Safi 57% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$3.04 MAD 29.65
1.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$20.72 MAD 202
16.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$4.55 MAD 44.41
-13.85%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$1.54 MAD 15.00
62.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$0.54 MAD 5.23
194.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$0.34 MAD 3.28
55.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$1.52 MAD 14.82
17.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$1.52 MAD 14.80
42.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$0.82 MAD 7.95
134.15%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$0.47 MAD 4.55
189.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$1.53 MAD 14.96
-33.99%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$1.73 MAD 16.84
17.34%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$6.87 MAD 67.0
43.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$6.85 MAD 66.8
-35.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$8.98 MAD 87.6
-15.37%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$1.15 MAD 11.20
186.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$1.16 MAD 11.34
19.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$0.82 MAD 7.96
184.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$0.67 MAD 6.52
123.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$0.61 MAD 5.91
286.89%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$0.80 MAD 7.84
137.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$0.40 MAD 3.92
197.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$0.57 MAD 5.51
10.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$3.72 MAD 36.26
-19.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$7.35 MAD 71.6
-17.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$1.86 MAD 18.09
-33.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$1.78 MAD 17.33
-1.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Safi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$0.44 MAD 4.30
-43.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$10.48 MAD 102
20.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$0.71 MAD 6.93
8.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$0.55 MAD 5.32
-58.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$6.02 MAD 58.7
-25.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$1.45 MAD 14.17
-9.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$31.4K MAD 305.7K
-32.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$30.6K MAD 298.3K
-37.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$35.89 MAD 350
235.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$10.31 MAD 100
35.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$33.94 MAD 331
-18.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$18.83 MAD 184
71.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$5.27 MAD 51.3
26.19%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$3.54 MAD 34.55
59.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$97.5 MAD 950
182.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$3,667 MAD 35.8K
115.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$39.69 MAD 387
24.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$33.43 MAD 326
-24.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$93.5 MAD 911
-17.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$36.63 MAD 357
56.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Safi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$279 MAD 2,718
79.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$135 MAD 1,319
128.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$466 MAD 4,548
131.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$246 MAD 2,395
150.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$892 MAD 8,693
223.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$560 MAD 5,458
242.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Safi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$443 MAD 4,318
-21.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
4.55
58.24%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Safi: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Safi
$135 56.2% $174
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Safi
$166 19.2% $40
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Safi
$80 50.5% $82
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Safi
$91 2.7% $2.5
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Safi
$71 20% $18
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Safi
$26 40.6% $18
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Safi
$16 0.7% $0.1

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $279 in Safi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Safi pays 28% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $24.00 in Cebu vs $21.00 in Safi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $166 per month, with Safi cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇲🇦 Safi
🕒 Local time
13:33 1:33 PM
06:33 6:33 AM
7 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
323,888
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MAD, USD, EUR 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).

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 9.75 MAD (1 MAD = 0.103 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Safi 13,150 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Safi

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 Safi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Safi cheaper than Cebu?
Safi is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 57% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Safi?
On paper, salaries run 28% lower in Safi. 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 Safi?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $279 in Safi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Safi?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $585 in Safi – a 57% 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 Safi runs roughly 21% 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 Safi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Safi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Cebu or Safi more family-friendly?
For families, Safi 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 Safi?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Safi 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 Safi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 57% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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