Cost of Living Comparison Between Dasmarinas and Baguio Cost of Living Comparison Between Dasmarinas and Baguio

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $546 in Dasmarinas versus $788 in Baguio.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $990 in Dasmarinas versus $1,141 in Baguio.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,434 in Dasmarinas versus $1,494 in Baguio.

Living in Dasmarinas costs roughly 31% less than in Baguio, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Dasmarinas 59% lower, Baguio 41% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.51 ₱212

$3.60 ₱218

-2.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.37 ₱809

$13.38 ₱810

-0.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.70 ₱163

$2.64 ₱160

2.27%

Cappuccino

$1.62 ₱98.3

$2.46 ₱149

-34.15%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 ₱32.21

$0.69 ₱41.56

-23.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ₱18.40

$0.37 ₱22.69

-18.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 ₱62.6

$1.45 ₱87.9

-28.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 ₱81.8

$1.90 ₱115

-28.95%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.63 ₱98.9

$1.84 ₱111

-11.41%

White Bread (500g)

$1.10 ₱66.8

$1.20 ₱72.6

-8.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.84 ₱51.1

$1.07 ₱64.7

-21.50%

Eggs

$1.99 ₱120

$2.29 ₱139

-13.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.52 ₱334

$9.26 ₱560

-40.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.84 ₱232

$3.78 ₱229

1.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.80 ₱472

$8.48 ₱513

-8.02%

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 ₱163

$2.67 ₱161

0.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.40 ₱84.6

$1.83 ₱111

-23.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 ₱105

$2.27 ₱137

-23.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.69 ₱41.95

$1.20 ₱72.7

-42.50%

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 ₱62.9

$1.89 ₱114

-44.97%

Onion (1kg)

$2.30 ₱139

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 ₱44.29

$0.72 ₱43.61

1.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 ₱25.77

$0.72 ₱43.65

-40.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.08 ₱126

$3.36 ₱203

-38.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.19 ₱556

$9.31 ₱563

-1.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 ₱64.7

$1.02 ₱61.7

4.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 ₱143

$2.27 ₱137

4.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 ₱15.69

$0.28 ₱16.96

-7.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.50 ₱273

$10.52 ₱637

-57.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.87 ₱52.9

$0.93 ₱56.4

-6.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.24 ₱14.60

$0.24 ₱14.58

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.36 ₱143

$2.43 ₱147

-2.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 ₱67.4

$1.16 ₱70.2

-4.31%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.1K ₱1.9M

$31.8K ₱1.9M

0.91%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.7K ₱1.3M

$20.8K ₱1.3M

-0.17%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$44.14 ₱2,671

$144 ₱8,728

-69.40%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$34.55 ₱2,091

$34.34 ₱2,078

0.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.15 ₱1,582

$26.06 ₱1,577

0.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$11.79 ₱713

$21.83 ₱1,321

-45.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.52 ₱274

$4.12 ₱249

9.71%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ₱350

$5.80 ₱351

-0.34%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$149 ₱9,017

$152 ₱9,184

-1.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,807 ₱290.9K

$4,819 ₱291.6K

-0.24%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.47 ₱2,933

$49.25 ₱2,980

-1.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.44 ₱1,660

$27.23 ₱1,648

0.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.8 ₱4,585

$73.9 ₱4,468

2.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.97 ₱2,842

$46.95 ₱2,841

0.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$265 ₱16.0K

$346 ₱20.9K

-23.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$82.8 ₱5,008

$142 ₱8,622

-41.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$592 ₱35.8K

$548 ₱33.2K

7.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 ₱23.5K

$261 ₱15.8K

49.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,505 ₱151.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$407 ₱24.6K

$953 ₱57.7K

-57.31%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$379 ₱22.9K

$192 ₱11.6K

97.39%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.4

4.5

42.22%

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

Last update for Dasmarinas: April 21, 2026

Last update for Baguio: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $265 in Dasmarinas and $346 in Baguio. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dasmarinas pays 97% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $13 in Dasmarinas vs $13 in Baguio for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $174 vs $205 per month, with Dasmarinas 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

Dasmarinas vs Baguio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dasmarinas wins on cost – living expenses run 44% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Dasmarinas the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Dasmarinas pays 97% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $265 in Dasmarinas versus $346 in Baguio. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $546 per month in Dasmarinas versus $788 in Baguio – a 44% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Dasmarinas runs roughly 134% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Dasmarinas gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Dasmarinas and Baguio are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Dasmarinas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 44% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.