Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Solna

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $1,760 in Solna, rent and utilities included – about $10,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Solna
🇸🇪 Sweden
$1,760
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Solna

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $1,760 in Solna.

  • Cebu $918
  • Solna $1,760

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $2,721 in Solna.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Solna $2,721

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $3,682 in Solna.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Solna $3,682

Living in Cebu costs roughly 48% less than in Solna, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Solna is 30% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$14.11 SEK 140
-78.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$66.0 SEK 653
-63.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$11.19 SEK 111
-64.97%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$4.74 SEK 46.94
-47.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$2.26 SEK 22.44
-29.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$1.42 SEK 14.10
-62.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$7.48 SEK 74.1
-76.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$7.32 SEK 72.5
-70.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$1.38 SEK 13.71
39.13%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$2.54 SEK 25.13
-46.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$3.51 SEK 34.82
-71.23%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$3.88 SEK 38.47
-47.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$9.11 SEK 90.2
8.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$12.75 SEK 126
-65.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$21.97 SEK 218
-65.41%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$3.18 SEK 31.53
3.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$2.03 SEK 20.08
-31.53%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$2.45 SEK 24.29
-4.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$2.92 SEK 28.93
-48.63%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$1.47 SEK 14.54
60.54%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$1.87 SEK 18.49
1.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$2.11 SEK 20.94
-43.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$1.02 SEK 10.09
-38.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$7.38 SEK 73.1
-59.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$13.19 SEK 131
-54.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$1.37 SEK 13.57
-10.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$2.20 SEK 21.82
-20.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Solna
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$4.17 SEK 41.30
-94.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$95.7 SEK 948
-86.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$3.56 SEK 35.24
-78.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$2.51 SEK 24.83
-90.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$80.4 SEK 796
-94.45%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$1.80 SEK 17.87
-27.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$33.4K SEK 330.5K
-36.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$32.4K SEK 320.9K
-40.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$103 SEK 1,022
16.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$22.72 SEK 225
-38.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$40.38 SEK 400
-31.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$37.85 SEK 375
-14.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
$26.05 SEK 258
-74.47%
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$14.67 SEK 145
-61.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$152 SEK 1,505
81.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$5,015 SEK 49.7K
57.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$105 SEK 1,039
-52.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$40.38 SEK 400
-37.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$86.8 SEK 860
-11.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$135 SEK 1,334
-57.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Solna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$794 SEK 7,869
-37.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$619 SEK 6,132
-50.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$1,354 SEK 13.4K
-20.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$1,032 SEK 10.2K
-40.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$6,838 SEK 67.7K
-57.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$2,815 SEK 27.9K
-31.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Solna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$3,500 SEK 34.7K
-90.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
3.53
103.97%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Solna: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Solna
$619 100% $310
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Solna
$345 67.4% $139
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Solna
$166 2.8% $4.5
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Solna
$165 75.7% $71
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Solna
$270 206% $182
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Solna
$67 54% $24
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Solna
$128 725% $113

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $794 in Solna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Solna pays 912% 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 $66.0 in Solna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $345 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇸🇪 Solna
🕒 Local time
08:19 8:19 AM
02:19 2:19 AM
6 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
85,540
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

SEK, 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).

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 9.91 SEK (1 SEK = 0.101 USD). 1 EUR = 11.14 SEK (100 SEK = 8.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Solna 9,900 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Solna

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 Solna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solna cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 92% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Solna?
On paper, salaries run 912% lower in Solna. 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 Solna?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $794 in Solna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Solna?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $1,760 in Solna – a 92% 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 657% less than in Solna. 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 Solna?
At $918 in Cebu versus $1,760 in Solna, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Solna. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Solna more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Solna, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Solna?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Solna 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 92% less than in Solna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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