🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $924 in Cebu versus $1,122 in Zalaegerszeg.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,414 in Cebu versus $1,710 in Zalaegerszeg.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,905 in Cebu versus $2,297 in Zalaegerszeg.
🌍Living in Cebu costs roughly 18% less than in Zalaegerszeg, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cebu33% lower, Zalaegerszeg19% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.07₱192
$14.66Ft 4,591
-79.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.18₱1,453
$63.1Ft 19.8K
-63.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.04₱253
$9.34Ft 2,926
-56.75%
Cappuccino
$2.49₱156
$3.08Ft 965
-19.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52₱95.3
$2.11Ft 662
-27.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49₱30.70
$1.38Ft 432
-64.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80₱113
$2.12Ft 664
-15.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29₱144
$2.11Ft 662
8.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.92₱121
$1.25Ft 392
53.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.39₱87.3
$1.48Ft 465
-6.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01₱63.6
$2.62Ft 822
-61.45%
Eggs
$2.03₱127
$3.55Ft 1,111
-42.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.87₱619
$12.09Ft 3,786
-18.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.52₱283
$6.33Ft 1,983
-28.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.59₱476
$13.05Ft 4,089
-41.84%
Apples(1kg)
$3.34₱209
$1.89Ft 591
76.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40₱87.7
$2.23Ft 697
-37.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.41₱151
$2.05Ft 644
17.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55₱97.1
$4.23Ft 1,324
-63.36%
Potato(1kg)
$2.46₱154
$1.05Ft 328
134.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91₱120
$1.07Ft 334
78.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23₱76.9
$1.40Ft 439
-12.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62₱38.80
$0.58Ft 181
6.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.87₱180
$8.38Ft 2,625
-65.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.30₱395
$6.48Ft 2,031
-2.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30₱81.2
$1.14Ft 356
14.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75₱110
$2.20Ft 689
-20.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23₱14.30
$1.21Ft 380
-80.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.66₱794
$18.93Ft 5,929
-33.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.75₱46.79
$3.60Ft 1,128
-79.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₱14.42
$1.25Ft 393
-81.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.33₱272
$21.39Ft 6,700
-79.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26₱79.3
$1.97Ft 617
-36.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K₱1.3M
$29.8KFt 9.3M
-29.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.6K₱1.2M
$34.7KFt 10.9M
-43.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$121₱7,586
$149Ft 46.5K
-18.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.07₱944
$26.00Ft 8,145
-42.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.29₱1,711
$24.47Ft 7,667
11.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.26₱2,022
$40.70Ft 12.7K
-20.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.38₱400
$38.99Ft 12.2K
-83.64%
Cinema Ticket
$5.63₱353
$7.63Ft 2,392
-26.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$281₱17.6K
$225Ft 70.4K
25.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,117₱508.9K
$17.6KFt 5.5M
-53.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.04₱3,074
$32.34Ft 10.1K
51.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.72₱1,550
$26.04Ft 8,158
-5.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.9₱4,886
$52.7Ft 16.5K
47.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.3₱3,656
$58.0Ft 18.2K
0.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$503₱31.5K
$348Ft 108.9K
44.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$307₱19.2K
$305Ft 95.6K
0.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,086₱68.1K
$482Ft 150.9K
125.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$632₱39.6K
$323Ft 101.3K
95.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,868₱179.8K
$1,919Ft 601.1K
49.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,891₱118.5K
$1,614Ft 505.6K
17.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Zalaegerszeg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$346₱21.7K
$806Ft 252.5K
-57.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.2
6.56
9.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cebu: September 7, 2026
Last update for Zalaegerszeg: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $503 in Cebu and $348 in Zalaegerszeg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zalaegerszeg pays 133% 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: $23.00 in Cebu vs $63.0 in Zalaegerszeg for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $209 vs $252 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.
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 Zalaegerszeg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zalaegerszeg cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Zalaegerszeg?
On paper, salaries run 133% lower in Zalaegerszeg. 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 Zalaegerszeg?
Rent for a central apartment: $503 in Cebu versus $348 in Zalaegerszeg. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Zalaegerszeg?
All in, you'll spend $924 per month in Cebu versus $1,122 in Zalaegerszeg – a 21% 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 50% less than in Zalaegerszeg. 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 Zalaegerszeg?
At $924 in Cebu versus $1,122 in Zalaegerszeg, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Zalaegerszeg. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Zalaegerszeg more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Zalaegerszeg, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Zalaegerszeg?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Zalaegerszeg 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 21% less than in Zalaegerszeg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.