Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Sīrjān

For one person, living is cheaper in Sīrjān: $532 a month against $918 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $4,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Sīrjān
🇮🇷 Iran
$532
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Sīrjān

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $532 in Sīrjān.

  • Cebu $918
  • Sīrjān $532

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $841 in Sīrjān.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Sīrjān $841

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $1,151 in Sīrjān.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Sīrjān $1,151

Living in Cebu is roughly 73% more expensive than in Sīrjān, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cebu 32% lower, Sīrjān 61% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$2.92 $2.92
5.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$16.90 $16.90
43.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$3.93 $3.93
-0.25%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.72 $0.72
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.08 $1.08
-
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$1.09 $1.09
130.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$0.52 $0.52
205.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$1.15 $1.15
-53.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$0.62 $0.62
209.68%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$0.50 $0.50
172.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$1.85 $1.85
-45.41%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$1.34 $1.34
51.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$4.72 $4.72
108.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$3.70 $3.70
18.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$9.12 $9.12
-16.67%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$1.17 $1.17
182.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$1.80 $1.80
-22.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$0.94 $0.94
147.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$0.65 $0.65
130.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$0.51 $0.51
362.75%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$0.52 $0.52
265.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$0.52 $0.52
128.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$0.28 $0.28
125.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.87 $0.87
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.49 $0.49
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.16 $1.16
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$2.34 $2.34
28.21%
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
Sīrjān
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$0.15 $0.15
66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$10.16 $10.16
24.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$0.36 $0.36
113.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$0.28 $0.28
-17.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$2.47 $2.47
80.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$0.08 $0.08
1537.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$49.2K $49.2K
-56.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$43.8K $43.8K
-56.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$13.14 $13.14
814.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$1.58 $1.58
786.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$3.64 $3.64
656.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$18.97 $18.97
70.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$13.16 $13.16
-49.47%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$1.95 $1.95
189.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$103 $103
167.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$2,436 $2,436
225.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$23.03 $23.03
114.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$28.13 $28.13
-10.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$96.3 $96.3
-20.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$73.1 $73.1
-21.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$287 $287
73.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$208 $208
48.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$786 $786
37.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$349 $349
76.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$1,122 $1,122
157.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$532 $532
260.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Sīrjān
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
-
-
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 Sīrjān: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Sīrjān
$208 32.5% $100
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Sīrjān
$115 43.9% $90
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Sīrjān
$18 88.7% $143
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Sīrjān
$99 5.6% $5.3
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Sīrjān
$55 37.8% $33
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Sīrjān
$23 47.6% $21
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Sīrjān
$13 19.7% $3.1

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $287 in Sīrjān. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $24.00 in Cebu vs $17.00 in Sīrjān for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $115 per month, with Sīrjān cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇮🇷 Sīrjān
🕒 Local time
07:17 7:17 AM
02:47 2:47 AM
4 h 30 min behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
199,704
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 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 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Sīrjān 7,350 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Sīrjān

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 Sīrjān: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sīrjān cheaper than Cebu?
Sīrjān is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and leisure. The 73% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,377 in Cebu and $797 in Sīrjān to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Cebu and Sīrjān?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $287 in Sīrjān. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Sīrjān?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $532 in Sīrjān – a 73% 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 Sīrjān runs roughly 24% 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 Sīrjān?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Sīrjān gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Cebu or Sīrjān more family-friendly?
For families, Sīrjān 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 Sīrjān?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Sīrjān 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 Sīrjān gentler on the wallet – expenses run 73% less than in Cebu. 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?